Queen of Speed

It was Dale’s personal mission to make every motorcycle operational, a unique goal and an accomplishment that led to the museum becoming known as “The Museum That Runs.” Through his passion, vision, and dedication, coupled with his generosity, he created not just a destination but an experience. His influence and reach extended through public appearances at antique motorcycle events and auctions, his first television show “What’s in the Barn” followed by a season of “American Restoration” and guest television appearances in American Pickers. He took production in house and created “Reel School”, a show featuring restorations of vintage motorcycles and breathing life back into motorcycles that have sat idle for years. Reel School is a streaming show and can be viewe on “Dale’s Channel”.

Dale possessed a knowledge of American motorcycles like no other. Those who spoke during the tribute told stories of his ability to look at an American motorcycle part and be able to identify the model and year it was from. During the inside portion of the tribute the museum debuted a 22-minute-long mini-documentary highlighting Dale’s life and featuring stories from many of his closest family and friends.The video can be viewed at youtu.be/JVULE45681g

To help fund the running of the museum and to acquire new additions Dale built a raffle bike each year and some lucky winner was the owner of a custom Harley-Davidson Knucklehead, Panhead or Flathead. Each bike was a work of art. Matt, his son, continues the annual tradition of building a raffle bike. This year’s build is a 1937 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead and will be raffled off on November 19th. Two other lucky winners will win $10,000 and $5,000. You do not have to be present to win.

Dale’s Wheels Through Time is located 5 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway in Maggie Valley and is open Thursday through Monday into late November.

VALERIE THOMPSON

is without a doubt the QUEEN OF SPEED. She is the world’s fastest female motorcycle streamliner racer, hitting an incredible 328.467mph on the BUB 7 Streamliner motorcycle and is an eight-time Speed Record holder. She is also an inductee in the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame, a member of numerous 200 MPH Clubs and one 300 MPH Club. She is also known as Australia’s fastest female motorcycle land speed racer and was recently included in the Dealernews “Top 100 Leaders in Powersports” list. And that was all before lunch. Most of us who ride motorcycles have “gone fast” on a bike. But we’re talking topping out at like 110 or 120mph. The fastest I ever went was 160mph on a 1000R Ninja. Even at that speed, the wind becomes a solid wall of force. So I had to ask Valerie, what does it feel like to pilot a Streamliner to over 300 miles per hour? “It starts with me walking to the streamliner in my fire suit and helmet. Focusing. Getting my head around what is about to happen. My team is pushing and pulling me into a tiny cockpit that was made just to fit me. I am form-fitted into it, being strapped in, like a sardine in a can. They close the canopy over me and it is quiet for a moment but my focus is to make history. “The engine comes to life and I get a burst of energy but then I go into a calm zone… totally focused. I touch the controls and know I won’t let go of them until the run is over. Then I am off! The experience is loud and bumpy and yet somehow serene. I am going very fast and the ground is very close. But I can’t afford any distraction. I get tunnelvision, only paying attention to the RPMs and I go for it. Your peripheral vision helps you focus on where you are on the track. In first gear you’re going 199 mph. In second gear you’re up to 255. In third gear you hit 335 and in fourth you can hit 363 mph.” “Oddly, it all happens in slow motion. I don’t think about how fast I’m going and inside the streamliner you don’t feel the wind so you don’t feel how fast you are going. Sometimes the run that feels the slowest is actually your fastest. My execution has to be perfect and every run is a chance to make history. When you’re racing, you have to manage your fear. You have to understand the limits of your machine and manage risk. You have to have confidence in yourself, your vehicle and your team.”