Valerie Thompson earned the title of world’s fastest female motorcycle racer on September 1 at the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials with a blistering one measured mile average speed of 304 mph (489.66 km/h) riding the famous Denis Manning designed “7” Racing streamliner.
After three mandatory license qualification runs, Thompson scorched the salt with two memorable runs over 294 and 304 mph. Thompson’s highest exit speed exceeded 313 mph, earning her the Top Speed of the Event Award and new title as the World’s Fastest Female Motorcycle Racer.
“I’ve dreamed about this since I first started racing. This never would have happened without Denis Manning and team owners, John Jans and Joe Harralson. I can’t thank them and the entire “7” Racing crew members enough for all their hard work during the competition,” said an enthusiastic Thompson.
“Joe Harralson and I couldn’t be happier with these results. Valerie has the talent and drive to be the fastest motorcyclist in the world … period,” says John Jans, team owner of “7” Racing.
The four-day Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials is the premier motorcycle land speed-racing event of North America. The AMA and FIM sanctioned event offers national and world speed record opportunities. Event organizers honored Thompson and Team “7” Racing with the “Top Speed of the Event Award” while celebrating her new title.
“Valerie has quickly adjusted from racing a conventional motorcycle to driving a streamliner with twice the horsepower, she is a natural racer. More importantly, she reached our goal of exceeding 300 mph on the 3-mile short course vs. the 5-mile run-up streamliners normally require to reach top speed,” stated bike designer Manning. “Our goal is creating history by making “7” the fastest motorcycle in the world again. Valerie achieved our objective of going faster with less track, I can’t ask for more than that from any driver,” added Manning.
Thompson is an independent team owner/driver, fielding a record setting BMW S 1000 RR land speed racing bike with plans to compete in the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle class in 2017. In addition to 7-land speed records, she is a lifetime member of six-land speed racing 200 MPH Clubs, including the prestigious Bonneville 200 MPH Club and first female member of the Colorado Mile.
