Valerie Thompson and her BMW S1000RRValerie Thompson To Appear At BMW Motorrad Days in GermanySix-time motorcycle land speed record holder and one of the world’s fastest BMW racers, Valerie Thompson, will make a guest appearance at the 14th BMW Motorrad Days celebration July 4-6 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.
The biggest BMW party of the year is expected to draw over 40,000 motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world.Thompson will join fellow BMW racing legends in the Classic Tent, which will highlight “90 Years of Championships and Titles,” beginning with the BMW R 37 at the first German Championship in 1924 through the first AMA Superbike victory on the BMW R 90 to the recent successes achieved on the BMW S 1000 RR. In June, Thompson set her 6th land speed racing record at the Ohio Mile with a blistering speed of more than 208 mph on her BMW S 1000 RR, shattering the previous record and becoming the newest female member of the prestigious ECTA 200 MPH Club.“I’m thrilled to be invited back to BMW Motorrad Days,” says Thompson, who is making her second guest appearance as a visiting American VIP racer. “It is a real honor to be included among such accomplished riders. Last year, I had a fantastic time meeting terrific people, riding a GS up and down many steep terrains, eating excellent German food and joining the wide variety of evening festivities.”When Thompson returns to the US, her sights will be set on shattering new records at the prestigious Bonneville Speed Trials in August and hopefully joining the Southern California Timing Association’s “Bonneville 200 MPH Club.” After that, she’ll attempt additional land speed records at El Mirage and the Texas Mile.“My goal is to get into every single one of the 200 MPH Clubs with my BMW S 1000 RR,” remarks Thompson. “Since purchasing the bike in January 2012, it has taken my career to a whole new level. I feel at one with this bike, like I’m practically the paint. We are definitely a match made in high-performance heaven!”When asked whether she considers hanging up her leathers anytime soon, the American Queen of Speed replies. “I’ve never given much thought to hanging up my helmet. With a little help from BMW, I plan to keep going faster as long as I can. There are always new records to break, even if they are mine.”BMW Motorrad Days is open to all motorcycle enthusiasts free of charge. The three-day extravaganza features more than 80 exhibitors, test rides on all the latest BMW Motorrad models, guided enduro tours, stunt legend Chris Pfeiffer, world-record precision rider Russ Swift, presentations by Michael Martin and other GS world travelers, the world’s oldest traveling wooden Motodrom show, live music and more.For more information about BMW Motorrad Days, visit www.bmw-motorrad.com/motorraddays and www.facebook.com/bmw.motorrad.
This week, Senior Editor Nic de Sena rides the all new Ducati Monster. Big changes have been made by Ducati–has the company ruined the considerable heritage of the iconic Monster–or are the changes worth it? In the second part of the show, we chat with Nick Ienatsch, Founder and Head Instructor at the Yamaha Champions Riding School. He says: “We aim to change your riding life by introducing you to Champions Habits: The techniques, approaches, skills, and the mindsets of the best riders in the world. These Champions Habits are the foundation of safety and consistency to whatever speed you ride, in any venue on any bike. Street riders, this is just as much for you as track riders. The best way to make safe riders is to make good riders.“ We hope you enjoy this episode!
