Eureka Springs is one of America’s more popular destinations for two-wheeled tourists, and also marketing headquarters for Valerie Thompson, the world’s fastest female motorcycle racer.
On Sept. 1, Thompson became the first female to exceed 300 m.p.h. driving a motorcycle at the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials – with a one measured mile average speed of 304 m.p.h. – riding the famous “7” Racing streamliner. Event organizers honored Thompson and Team “7” Racing with the “Top Speed of the Event Award,” earning her the title “World’s fastest female motorcycle racer.”
Thompson is a long-time Scottsdale, Ariz., resident, but her marketing and public relations work is managed by Eureka Springs resident and Retreat at Sky Ridge resort co-owner, Eric Studer.
“Valerie and I were introduced five years ago by a mutual friend who knew of my marketing and motorsports experience,” Studer said. “She had just formed her own independent land speed racing team and needed marketing and PR support to attract new sponsors. What started out as a couple of favors for the most determined racer I had ever met has grown into a marketing consulting business I can manage from Eureka.”
When Studer met Thompson, she held two land speed records as a contract rider for the owner of the “world’s fastest Harley-Davidson Pan Head.” Today, she is an independent team owner/rider, fielding a record setting BMW land speed-racing bike with seven land speed records and lifetime membership in six premier 200 MPH Clubs.
You can see Thompson on Fox Sports TV next year based on her plans to compete in the NHRA Drag Racing Pro Stock Motorcycle class in 2017. She is also on Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction TV broadcasts where she works as a celebrity vehicle presenter.