crashed at more than 363 mph , sliding for over a mile before coming to a complete stop . Miraculously , she walked away with no memory of the crash at all .
“ The wind caused the crash . We don ’ t race that motorcycle with more than 3 mph of wind in any direction ,” explains Valerie . “ Everything happened so quickly . I am trained to release the parachute , pull my arms in close to my body . It ’ s incredible there were only minor cuts and bruises from the crash . It ’ s a real testament to the superior design of the BUB 7 ; I feel lucky I ’ m here to tell the story .”
Now , three years later , insert pickleball and it couldn ’ t be a better match with racing to help her mental and physical training as she continues her quest to capture the fastest motorcycle title .
“ Pickleball and racing go hand-in-hand ,” says Valerie . “ They ’ re very similar in some respects . It requires a good fitness regimen , great concentration and quick reaction time . During a race , everything seems to move in slow motion , but you have to be planning your next move and react quickly . For me , it ’ s the same with pickleball . I need to plan my shots , but be prepared to react quickly as the game evolves .”
It didn ’ t take long for her to fully commit to the sport , with professional lessons and her own court . Valerie was elated when she discovered that her neighbor was the former USA Pickleball president , Jack Thomas . She ’ s taken many continued lessons with Jack , and at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort in Scottsdale until her home court was finished .
Since February , when she began playing , Valerie has found many friends and fellow racers who also play . Just recently she had the biggest photo shoot of her career for Bentley Magazine with “ photographer of the stars ” John Russo ( a celebrity A-list photographer ). An avid pickleball player himself , the motorsports photo shoot quickly turned into a long discussion about their mutual love of pickleball . “ Now I ’ m even more excited about the game ,” Valerie says . “ I hope John and I can play next time I ’ m in California .”
“ Valerie is a true athlete , with very quick handeye coordination , and she moves fast on the court so pickleball is a natural for her ,” says friend and fellow player Andy Starr . “ She ’ s a lot of fun to play pickleball with and continues to improve her game by having
“ Pickleball and racing go hand-in-hand ,” says Valerie . “ They ’ re very similar in some respects . It requires a good fitness regimen , great concentration and quick reaction time .”
the opportunity to play on her private backyard court , which I was instrumental in convincing her and her husband , Ray , to build earlier this year .”
Pickleball and fitness training consumes a lot of Valerie ’ s time now , having attended two LevelUp camps in Utah , really helping to elevate her game . She has a vision to host her own tournament on the Bonneville Salt Flats , creating an unreal experience of racing and playing pickleball on the world ’ s fastest racecourse .
The Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials , Aug . 28- Sept . 2 , will be the first time since her 2018 crash that Valerie has raced the BUB 7 . The first priority is to execute practice runs to ensure that everything performs as needed after a three-year rebuilding effort . If “ breakin ” runs go well and weather and track conditions allow , the team will attempt to break the world speed record for the world ’ s fastest motorcycle title .
“ There are a lot of eyes on me and I have to be my best when racing on the salt ,” Valerie adds . “ I must be 100-percent focused and ready to react to the weather , the track and most importantly , the machine . Pickleball plays a key role in helping me train to make motorsports history .
“ Friends tell me I always go 2,000 percent when I set a new goal ,” she laughs . “ Pickleball is a critical element of my racing fitness regimen . It helps keep me fit and improves my reaction time . I may retire from racing when I go 400 mph , but I ’ ll be playing pickleball long after that .”
Valerie will have a central role in the upcoming documentary film “ Rockets and Titans ,” sharing her and Manning ’ s quest for the world ’ s fastest motorcycle title . Visit
ValerieThompsonRacing . com for details on upcoming races , the bikes she races and the official movie trailer .
The worldwide motorsports press nicknamed Valerie “ America ’ s Queen of Speed .” From all appearances , the queen ’ s court appears to be one where you play pickleball . Godspeed Valerie , we wish you luck ! •
Editor ’ s Note : Racers have been chasing dreams and land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats near Wendover , Utah since 1914 .