“Conquering Boundaries: Unveiling the Reign of Speed with Valerie Thompson”
Welcome to a riveting episode of our business travel podcast! In today’s enthralling installment, we’re joined by none other than Valerie Thompson, a living legend often hailed as “America’s Queen of Speed.” Brace yourself for a journey that traverses continents, records, and the indomitable spirit of pushing limits.
In the world of velocity, Valerie Thompson reigns supreme as a 7-time Land Speed Record holder. Her name is etched in the annals of history for achieving the extraordinary: hurtling at an awe-inspiring 328.467 mph across the vast expanse of Lake Gairdner in South Australia, Australia. Picture the sheer audacity of such a feat—the roaring engine, the wind’s exhilarating dance, and the pursuit of a dream destined for greatness.
But that’s not where Valerie’s odyssey culminates. She stands at the precipice of history, on the brink of shattering the existing motorcycle land speed record of 376.363 mph. With Team 7 Racing by her side, she’s geared up for a monumental endeavor—a pursuit that signifies the embodiment of ambition, dedication, and a relentless drive for excellence.
Valerie’s distinction isn’t confined solely to speed records; it’s a testament to her unyielding spirit. Her journey has bestowed upon her the revered “Red Hat” of the Bonneville 200 MPH Club, an honor that crowns her accomplishments on the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats. She’s further solidified her legacy as a member of the esteemed Bonneville BUB Speed Trial 201 MPH Club, a milestone that only a select few achieve.
Yet, Valerie’s conquests extend beyond Bonneville. She’s etched her name into the scrolls of history as part of the Mojave Magnum 200 MPH Club, the ECTA 200 MPH Club, and the Texas Mile 200 MPH Club. Each milestone stands as a testament to her prowess—a crescendo of speed, determination, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Notably, her pinnacle moment includes a breathtaking 217.7 MPH (350.53 KM/H) on a BMW S 1000 RR at the Texas Mile in 2014—a defining instant that showcases her unrelenting will to surge beyond limitations.
Valerie Thompson’s journey isn’t confined to a single realm of racing. Her initial foray into drag racing in 2006 within the All Harley Drag Racing Association (AHDRA) set the stage for her meteoric rise. A hiatus saw her return to the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle series in 2017, proving that her fire for speed still blazed brightly.
However, it was her desire to transcend her own feats that birthed the Valerie Thompson Racing team in 2012—a venture that spotlighted her as not just a record-breaker, but a trailblazer. She steered her destiny, taking the wheel as the driving force behind her aspirations, creating a legacy that resonates with the essence of audacious dreams.
Join us in this awe-inspiring episode as we unravel the layers of Valerie Thompson’s journey—an expedition that embodies tenacity, passion, and the resolute pursuit of pushing boundaries. From the thunderous rush of the engine to the camaraderie forged in the crucible of racing, Valerie’s story is a symphony of triumph that echoes across continents and time, inviting you to embark on a quest where speed knows no limits.
“We take our Bonneville very serious…..for us it takes a whole year for all of the preparation, our team is working on the motorcycle two times a week. We’ve got a team of 18 people but not all 18 are working on the bike because everybody has a certain project that they do on the bike.”
Connect with Valerie Thompson on her social media pages:
ABOUT Valerie Thompson
She posted a new top speed record of 328 mph in 2018 at the DLRA Speed Week competition in Southern Australia piloting Denis Manning’s and John Jans Team “7” Racing streamliner.
Valerie is an 8-time land speed record holder with membership in seven different 200 MPH Clubs, one 300 MPH Club and lifetime membership in the famed Bonneville 200 MPH Club. Thompson was inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2018. Valerie’s quest to become the world’s fastest motorcycle racer is the subject of P-51 Pictures’ and MN8 Films’ upcoming feature documentary, Rockets and Titans. Her many racing accomplishments have earned Valerie the moniker of “America’s Queen of Speed.”
If you have ever wondered what it would be like to ride a motorcycle 300+mph or want to hear about the aftermath of crashing at 300+mph you need to give this episode a listen. Valerie shares some great insights on what it takes to prepare for a long term goal that takes years to prepare for and only last minutes.
