Are you ready for Sturgis?
The Sturgis® Motorcycle Rally begins in 6 days. The 74th year of the rally looks set to be the biggest yet. HDForums will be sharing pictures, stories, and event coverage over the course of the rally.
Below is a bit of history courtesy of the Sturgis® Motorcycle Rally.
The first Sturgis® Motorcycle Rally™, attended by about 200 people, was held in August 1938 with 19 racers at a half mile track in Sturgis, SD. Racing was not the only thing on the agenda. The event also featured such stunts such as board wall crashes, ramp jumps and head-on collisions with an automobile. Johnny Spiegelhoff, of Milwaukee, won most of the prize money ($500 put up by four local businessmen). The event lasted for two days, and did not feature any tours.
J.C. “Pappy” Hoel, owner of a Sturgis motorcycle shop, is considered the founder of the event. The first year camping and free meals made by Pearl, Pappy’s wife, were offered in their back yard, behind Pappy’s motorcycle shop. The Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club and the Black Hills Motor Classic Incorporated were formed by Pappy to help develop the event and promote motorcycle riding.
The 40’s:
By 1940, there were 5,000 spectators to watch 150 racers run the Sturgis half mile. During World War II, the rally was not held because so many were involved in the war effort. As the Rally grew in attendance numbers, events and days were added. From a 1947 issue of the Indian Motorcycle News, “400 riders participated in their A.M.A. Gypsy Tour and motorcycle races”.
The 60’s:
In 1965 cyclists enjoyed the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce program hosted in the city park, including contests for queen of the Classic, cyclist and couple traveling the longest distance outside and within the U.S. to attend the event, couple married the longest, best dressed man and woman, as well as oldest rider. Three hundred and thirty riders participated in the Gypsy Tour – a two day event with an overnight stay in Custer, South Dakota. These five days were hyped as the ‘Biggest in History’.
The 80’s:
In 1981 Pappy Hoel, motorcycle racers and area persons developed a six-sided monument listing the White Plate Flat Trackers. The white plate is a designation given to motorcycle racers fast enough to earn the distinction. The monument is located in the City Park. Anticipated attendance for the yearly event was 25,000 to 30,000 persons.
The 45th year of the Classic was dedicated to J.C. “Pappy” Hoel. Governor William Janklow dedicated the entire 1985 week to Hoel “who earned national respect and fame because of his years of devotion to friends, family and community.” Four years later, Hoel died in 1989 at the age of 84.
Rally attendance dramatically increased in the late 1980’s. Estimated attendance in 1988 was 73,000. By 1993 it had more than doubled to over 150,000.
The 90’s:
In 1991 a new group was formed to ‘plan, organize and promote’ the rally and races and to return significant tangible financial benefits to the residents of Sturgis. The new group was Sturgis Rally and Races, Inc. and represented the residents of Sturgis, the business community and racing organizations.
Based on the results of a telephone survey, the Black Hills Motor Classic name was changed to Sturgis Rally and Races in 1992. Commonly, people knew the event as “Sturgis.” The organizers wanted to keep emphasis on the historical basis of the event – racing. Therefore, the name change.
Today:
The event now lasts seven days, and still revolves around racing and touring events. Main Street in Sturgis has become the visual image of Sturgis Rally and Races. Many downtown blocks are closed to motorcycle traffic only, providing an atmosphere for people and bike watching – along with many photo opportunities. People attend from all fifty states and numerous foreign countries.
The event continues to expand and grow. In recent years, there has been an attempt to curb some of more unruly activity in the town. However, many privately owned campgrounds and saloons have sprouted up outside of the city limits. While downtown maintains a fairly safe and well patrolled atmosphere, there is still a wild side that can be found outside of the city.
The Black Hills are one of the greatest locations for motorcycle riding in the world. People love the Black Hills, the scenic roads, and the mid-western sociability of the local people. Motorcycle enthusiasts make it a point to attend Sturgis, even if only once. However, many continue to attend year after year. Total attendance for the 2013 Sturgis® Motorcycle Rally™ was estimated to be 467,000.