One of the Fastest Women in the World Gets Faster with Two Motorcycle Land Speed Records
Benjamin T. Lambright 10.04.12
Valerie Thompson is as fast as they come. She held two motorcycle land speed records before her newest runs in Ohio (see below) and now she has a third. What’s more has been selected to drive the vehicle in the North American Eagle Supersonic Speed Challenger in an attempt to break Kitty O’Neil’s female land speed record of 512 mph, which has stood since 1976.
While we couldn’t get video of Thompson’s most recent run, we thought we’d treat you to this helmet cam clip of Thompson going over 209 mph on a BMW S1000RR.
httpv://youtu.be/sm2ySlBMy6A
Original press release by Valerie Thompson Racing on October 4, 2012:
Valerie Thompson, owner/driver of Valerie Thompson Racing (VTR), successfully returned to Wilmington Ohio to set new land speed records in two different motorcycle classes at the East Coast Timing Association’s (ECTA) Throttle Nation Top Speed Challenge event at Airborne Park. Thompson recorded a top speed of 198.03 mph in the MPS/F 1000 class and 198.31 mph in the MPS/G 1000 class on her Martech Services Company BMW S1000RR Superbike. Thompson now holds three speed records at the ECTA facility, having set a record of 197.46 mph in the PP-1000 motorcycle class at the Ohio Mile event in July.
Over 170 entries competed during the first Throttle Nation sponsored race at the new ECTA racecourse. The 7th annual Throttle Nation Street Bike Shootout was also held in conjunction with the event, featuring special rules creating a unique a “heads-up” racing format. Prizes were awarded in six motorcycle classes for the fastest speed, including CTEK battery chargers and ZipFizz Healthy Energy Drinks donated by VTR. In addition to two new land speed records, Thompson’s 198.31 mph run earned her class Runner-Up honors for the Throttle Nation Street Bike Shootout.
“I almost didn’t make this event. The only crewmember was my dog Reckon, so I had a 2,000+ mile solo drive from Scottsdale. We hit terrible storms and our truck broke down in Joplin. I can’t thank Donna & Joe Timney, who run the ECTA, for all their help. Fortunately, Gary Gonce, a childhood friend of Joe’s, volunteered to help Reckon and me throughout the weekend. I couldn’t have done it without their unflagging support,” said Thompson.
“Having set records at both the Ohio Mile and Throttle Nation Top Speed Challenge, Airborne Park is becoming one of my favorite racing venues, especially since two of my loyal sponsors are based in the Buckeye state – JEGS and CTEK Battery Chargers. Everyone involved in ECTA events, from the volunteers to the race organizers, make this an enjoyable and safe weekend,” added Thompson.
