Valerie Thompson will be inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame during the 78th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, a legendary ten-day event celebrating the worldwide motorcycle culture. Fellow inductees for the Hall of Fame this year include Jeff Decker, Jack Hoel, Armondo “Mondo” Porras, Marilyn Stemp and Hamsters USA.
The Sturgis Hall of Fame class of 2018 induction breakfast ceremony will be held Aug. 8, 2018, at The Lodge in Deadwood, South Dakota; doors open at 8 a.m.
Thompson stunned the racing world at the 2016 Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials with a speed of 304.263 mph (489.663 km/h) piloting the Team “7” Streamliner. On only her fifth run in a streamlined motorcycle, Thompson became the first female driver in a two-wheeled vehicle over 300 mph.
Earlier this year, Thompson set a new land speed record of 328.467 mph (528.616 km/h) during the DRLA Speed Week competition at Lake Gairdner Australia where she also survived a horrific 363 mph crash during the World Speed Trials.
“It’s impossible to put into words how much this honor means to me. Looking over the list of Sturgis Hall of Famers is like a family reunion invitation list. I see friends, mentors, fellow competitors and legends dedicated to racing and promoting the sport each of us love so much,” Thompson said. “I don’t think I would be here today if were not for Jesse Jurrens, owner of Legend Suspensions. He lured me from drag racing to my first competition at Bonneville in 2005. So I blame him for my salt addiction. I also set my first land speed record on fellow hall of famer Keith Ball’s Bikernet.com Harley-Davidson.”
Thompson holds eight land speed records on a variety of bikes ranging from Harley-Davidsons to BMWs to Streamliners with a personal best top speed of 328.467 mph (528.616 km/h). She is a member of seven-land speed racing 200 MPH Clubs and one 300 MPH Club. Thompson is the only female in history to compete for the world’s fastest motorcycle title.
“Valerie’s many accomplishments both on and off the track have certainly earned her a rightful place in the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame,” said Myrick Robbins, executive director, Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame. “In addition to being one of the most accomplished female motorcycle racers in the world, she has always been an excellent ambassador for those of us who love life on two-wheels.”
