Fastest Woman on 2 Wheels has a Need for Speed - Even After Surviving a Crash
Meet Valerie Thompson, an American woman on a mission to break the overall motorcycle land speed record - which is at an incredible speed of just above 605 km/h. Famously coined as “America’s Queen of Speed”, she is also the world’s fastest female motorcycle racer, going at an astounding speed of around 527 km/h.
(Image taken from Valerie Thompson Racing)
Valerie Thompson going at 489 km/h:
With the previous record of about 489 km/h obtained in 2016 at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah (see video above!), Thompson had decided to try for the world speed record just last month in Australia’s Lake Gairdner, yet it had ended on a rather unfortunate note. At around 552 km/h, Thompson’s motorcycle had crashed, sending her flying. Fortunately, due to the design of the 7 Streamliner, Thompson was able to walk away safely - albeit with a few minor cuts and scratches. The vehicle was also mostly intact after the crash, although it had left almost a mile long skid mark digging into the salt flats.
(Images taken from Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme)
Valerie Thompson surviving the crash:
As the motorcyclist had explained to a Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) official, the day had not gone as planned. “I always said crashing was not on my bucket list, but I did it,” she stated.
(Image taken from Thompson’s Twitter account)
Although shaken, the crash had also further fueled her desire to break the world record. Thompson and her team still plan to return to the Bonneville Speed Week in August, but this time, she will hopefully be able to succeed in her quest to become the fastest motorcyclist in the world.
