CTEK Partners with Valerie Thompson for Bonneville Record

CC | August 22, 2011

CTEK, makers of the “Wolrd’s Smartest Battery chargers”, has partnered with motorcycle racer Valerie Thompson and the Kerry Alter/Julian Bivins Racing Team in their quest for land speed records at the 8th Annual BUB Speed Trials on the famed Bonneville salt.

Ken Palmman, VP of CTEK, said, “Valerie is already a two time land speed record holder and the team is a proven winner so it’s a great fit. CTEK Smarter Chargers are already offered by some of the leading automotive brands around the world and this is a great way to get involved and increase our brand awareness with the motorcycle community.”

CTEK is no stranger to motorcycling, having commissioned the design and construction of “Big Toe”, the world’s largest powered two-wheeled vehicle, featured in the Guinness Book of World Records. “We first met Valerie in her role as a spokeswoman/motorcycle presenter at the Barrett-Jackson auto auction when we sold “Big Toe.” We were impressed by her professionalism and racing accomplishments. We are pleased to be working with her again”, said Palmman.

The team willl compete with a BMW Superbike in hopes of Valerie joining the exclusive club of women that have attained the 200 NPH mark on two wheels. The team’s goal is to be the world’s fastest 1000cc production motorcycle and gain membership in the prestigious 200 MPH Club. The “200 MPH Club” was formed in 1953. Today there are 678 members, with only 15 females officially listed.

The BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials will be held August 27through September 1 at the famed Bonneville Salt Flats, in Utah. The event is hosted by the American Motorcycle Association (AMA), which verifies and sanctions all US national records. All world records are verified and sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motoclisme (FIM). Over 300 racers will attempt land speed records this year, yet less than 10% will set records based on historical performance, signifying the difficulty of this endeavor.

About CTEK – Based in Sweden, CTEK Power Inc. designs and develops a unique series of high-tech battery chargers and special solutions for all types of lead-acid batteries for both private and professional use. Supplied to the most prestigious automotive and PowerSport manufacturers in the world, CTEK chargers use a unique charge algorithm to create a new category of battery charger. These new battery chargers satisfy not only today’s high demands on battery care, but also take the increasing needs of the growing group of new users into consideration. Close to three million CTEK battery chargers have been sold in 60 countries throughout the world.

About Valerie Thompson – Valerie set two Land Speed Records at Bonneville piloting a panhead Harley Davidson provided by Keith Ball of Bikernet.com in 2006 and 2007. Valerie has risen from a top competitor in the All Harley Drag Racing Association series, to being a team owner/licensed competitor in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Pro Stock Motorcycle Series in less than five years. Valerie is a spokeswoman/motorcycle presenter for the world’s largest auto auction company, Barrett-Jackson. She is also a spokeswoman for “Val’s Pals” Children charities, most notably, HopeKids.

About Kerry Alter/Julian Bivins – In 2007, Phoenix Arizona resident, Kerry Alter and Julian Bivins joined forces to set a new Land Speed Record in the 1000cc Modified Class at the famed Bonneville Salt Flats. In 2008 Kerry formed Team Crash-a-Lot LSR. By the start of the 2011 season, Kerry had accumulated five Land Speed Records, with a top speed of 195.8. Julian is a two-time Land Speed Record Holder.