Thompson Becomes First 200mph Club Female Board Member

Valerie Thompson Becomes First 200mph Club Female Board Member

The world’s fastest female motorcycle racer, Valerie Thompson, has been appointed to the Bonneville 200mph Club board of directors at the National Hot Rod Association Museum – the first female to ever be a member of the board.

Thompson is a seven-time land speed record holder, team owner/driver and member of six different land speed racing 200mph Clubs. She made history at the 2016 Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials, winning the “The Fastest Time of the Meet” award with a speed of 304.263 mph (489.6 kmh) piloting the Team 7 Racing streamliner. Thompson was the first female rider over 300 mph.

Thompson joins eight other board members responsible for the direction and business of the club. The Bonneville 200mph Club recognizes those drivers and motorcycle riders who are able to set class record more than 200 mph against an existing record or minimum. The club recognizes records of the Southern California Timing Association, and International records of the FIA and the FIM set in the flying mile at the Bonneville Salt Flats. The club has seen more than 750 members since its founding in 1953.

“We are delighted to have Valerie as our first female member of the board,” said Dan Warner, president. “Valerie’s many accomplishments, both on and off the track, make her a valuable new board member. I’m confident her unique insights and marketing expertise will be highly valued as we address a wide variety of issues for our members."

With a top speed of 208.812 mph, Thompson became a member of the Bonneville 200 mph Club on her BMW S 1000 RR at the 28th Annual World of Speed event in September 2014.

“Earning membership in the 200 mph Club had been a dream of mine since I started racing. It was the result of many years of hard work and determination. I never imagined I would be invited to join the club’s board of directors,” said Thompson. “I consider this appointment a real honor and high point of my career. I look forward to working with everyone on the board.”