World's fastest female motorcycle racer sets sights on 4-wheel record
‘Queen of Speed’ Valerie Thompson is attempting to break the conventional wheel-driven, piston-powered automobile speed record of 417.020 mph.
VALERIE THOMPSON is the “World’s Fastest Female Motorcycle Racer”.
She’s also an eight-time land speed record holder with the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame, seven 200 MPH Clubs and one 300 MPH Club. In 2018, she piloted the famed BUB 7 Streamliner to a record speed of 328.467 mph (528.616 km/h) and is the only female rider featured on the “World’s Top 10 Fastest Motorcycle Riders” list.
In addition to pursuing the fastest motorcycle title of 376.363 mph, Valerie will be piloting the Treit and Davenport Target 550 Streamliner in 2019 for her first land speed record attempt on 4-wheels, where she is attempting to break the current 417.020 mph record set by a conventional(ish) wheel-driven, piston-powered automobile.
The record-breaking attempt is taking place at the Bonneville Salt Flats for the Speedweek 2019 SCTA (Southern California Timing Association), at the time of writing.
Valarie is the first woman in the seat of the Target 550 Streamliner, and God willing she could achieve the goal of becoming the first woman over 400 mph both in a car and motorcycle!
While other women have reached massively high speeds in a car and others in a motorcycle streamliner, no woman has done both. Valerie has the exciting opportunity to be the first driver over 500 mph in a piston engine car, and over 400 mph in a motorcycle. Something that nobody – man or woman has accomplished.
However, this record is no walk in the park - the risk level is huge. Something which Valerie is acutely aware of, when last year she survived a 300 mph crash in her motorcycle streamliner, as she attempted a high speed run at the World Speed Trials on Lake Gairdner, Australia.
However, this near-miss hasn’t affected her in the slightest, as she “can’t wait to be driving the Target 550 streamliner”.
More about Valerie Thompson
RESIDENCE/HEADQUARTERS
Scottsdale, Arizona
BORN
Tacoma, Washington
SERIES
Land Speed Racing
Awards & Acknowledgements
Featured in "Rockets and Titans" a film documentary scheduled to premiere worldwide in 2019
Only female racer on “World’s Top 10 Fastest Motorcycle Riders” list – 2019
Named one of “Top 100 Leaders in Powersports” (Dealernews) - 2019
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame Inductee - 2018
First female member of Dry Lakes Racers Australia (DLRA) 300 MPH Motorcycle Club – 2018
Recipient of DLRA “Fastest Lady on the Lake Award” (328.467 mph) – 2018
First female appointee to Bonneville 200 MPH Club Board of Directors – 2017
Recipient of “Top Speed Award” at the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials (304.263 mph) - 2016
Recipient of American Woman Riders Association Community Hero Award for support of the HopeKids non-profit organization
Recipient of Red-Carpet Award by Delores Seright, author of Amazing Women “Shattering Barriers”
Guest Celebrity Rider/Speaker for International Female Ride Day – 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019
