Last Update: 28 October 2021
It only took 28 seconds for six-time land speed record holder and one of the world’s fastest BMW motorcycle racers, “Motorcycle Speed Queen” – Valerie Thompson, to shatter the East Coast Timing Association’s one-mile record in the MPS/Modified Class during the recent Ohio Mile competition. Thompson piloted her BMW S 1000 RR to 208.71 mph, easily breaking the former record of 205 mph. Thompson’s new record also qualified her for membership in the exclusive ECTA 200 MPH Club while claiming bragging rights as the fastest RR in the MPS/F-1000 Class.
“Going into this event, my confidence was very high. I had just completed the California Superbike School held in Birmingham, the best motorcycle racing course school in the US. We made a few modifications to my DoubleR by adding new HP Race Parts provided by BMW Motorrad USA, Akrapovic exhaust systems and additional horsepower with Magic Bullet Advance Fuel Treatment. The wonderful folks at NorthStar Battery also helped us with special delivery of their excellent batteries, which was a great help,” said team owner and rider Thompson. “It is a great honor and achievement to be the newest member of the ECTA’s 200 MPH Club, especially since I am only the 3rd female of less than 100 members. I’ll be wearing my ECTA 200 MPH Club lifetime member shirt proudly,” added a smiling Thompson.
The ECTA hosts four speed trial events at the Airborne Park facility in Wilmington Ohio each year. Prior to moving to the Airborne Park location in 2012, the ECTA held the competition in Maxton North Carolina from 1995 through 2011 and was named the Maxton Mile.
Thompson and her BMW team now turn their sights on setting new land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats during the August speed trials. For details, visit ValerieThompsonRacing.com.
More About Valerie
Valerie is a six-time land speed record holder and owner/driver of the Valerie Thompson Land Speed Racing Motorcycle Team who has also competed in the All Harley Drag Racing Association and National Hot Rod Association drag racing series. She set a personal best top speed of 212 mph on her CTEK sponsored BMW S 1000 RR during the March 2013 Texas Mile competition. Thompson is an official member of the BUB Speed Trials 201 MPH Club, ECTA 200 MPH Club, Texas Mile 200 MPH Club and the Mojave Magnum 200 MPH Club.
East Coast Timing Association Background
Two Bonneville racers, Tom Sarda and John Beckett, formed the East Coast Timing Association (ECTA) with the goal of providing members a safe racing venue to run speed trials in the Eastern half of the United States. The ECTA is now the principal sanctioning organization for Land Speed Racing in the Eastern US. Four times a year, scores of car and motorcycle racers from around the world gather at Airborne Airpark in Wilmington, Ohio, to speed down the Ohio Mile racecourse. Vehicles range from production cars and motorcycles – basically off the showroom floor – to exotic, purpose-built racers. The ECTA is a membership organization; you must be a member to participate in ECTA events as a rider or driver. Spectators are welcome at all ECTA events.
