Alter/Bivins Racing Team Breaks Multiple Land Speed Records at Bonneville BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials

CC | September 15, 2011

Scottsdale based Alter/Bivins Land Speed Racing Team achieved their ambitious goals of setting multiple land speed records at the recent 8th Annual BUB Speed Trials held at the famed Bonneville Salt Flats.

During the 6-day event, team members broke 5 different National and World land speed records and established a “personal best speed” for Valerie Thompson of 201.01 mph on the Alter tuned BMW S1000RR Superbike. Alter’s 14 year old nephew, Harley Alter from Covington Georgia, drove a 100cc Honda to 2 new National land speed records in the AMA Production and AMA Modified classes. He was also honored at the event’s closing gala with the “Buell Brothers Racing Enthusiast” award signifying his achievements and youthful dedication to land speed racing.

Kerry Alter, team owner/crew chief/racer of A/B LSR, comments on the team’s accomplishments. “This is only our 5th time competing in the BUB Speed Trials. We set a lot of team goals this year, including breaking 200 mph for Valerie Thompson on the BMW Superbike, which we achieved. In fact, we outperformed every BMW at the event. Valerie’s driving skills were amazing and she performs well under pressure, which helps us make the right team decisions.”

Alter added, “I am so proud of the two new records set by my nephew, he’s only 14 years old. My driving results were not bad either considering I broke three World records on two different bikes. My Aprila and BMW ran like banshees, I can’t wait for next year.”

According to co-team owner Julian Bivins, “I couldn’t be happier with the results we achieved this year. Kerry’s bike prep was right on given the wind and salt conditions, which made for a tricky week of judgment calls for both crew chief and driver. Setting the top speed for the BMW’s with Valerie Thompson is very gratifying since it is our first time working with that brand.”

The BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials were held August 27through September 1 at the Bonneville Salt Flats. The American Motorcycle Association (AMA), verifies and sanctions all US national records. All world records are verified and sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motoclisme (FIM). Approximately 300 racers attempt motorcycle land speed records each year, yet less than 10% typically set records.

Alter/Bivins Land Speed Racing Team Background

In 2007, Phoenix Arizona residents, Kerry Alter and Julian Bivins joined forces forming the Alter/Bivins Land Speed Racing Team to set a new land speed record in the 1000cc Modified Class. In less than six years of competition, the team’s drivers have garnered at least 12 land speed records. Alter has eight-motorcycle land speed records with a top speed of 197 mph set in 2011. Bivins is a 2-time land speed record holder. Alter is also a successful motorcycle road racer with multiple wins in the CCS Championship series.

Valerie Thompson Background

Thompson has two motorcycle land speed records at Bonneville piloting a panhead Harley Davidson with sponsor Bikernet.com. Thompson has risen from a 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 six years. The NHRA is the world’s largest drag racing association. When not racing, Thompson is a motorcycle presenter/VIP Hospitality Manager with Barrett-Jackson, the world’s largest auto auction company. She is also founder/spokeswoman for “Val’s Pals” children charities.