Toby Keith Returns Nothing says party like a concert for Sturgis Rally bikers like a performance by Toby Keith. And, he’ll be on the huge stage at the Legendary Buffalo Chip Campground on Monday, Aug. 3.
Keith... + Full Story
Hoel Motors Ride
The Hoel Motor Ride takes place Wednesday August 6th 2008. The ride will leave the Full Throttle Saloon at 11am. On the ride this year celebrities... + Full Story
In a land where bison once thundered across the prairie, modern-day cowboys rumble over the land on iron horses. Each August, hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists journey to the Mecca of the motorcycling world: Sturgis, South Dakota.
The legacy of the Sturgis Rally began in 1938 when J.C. "Pappy" Hoel, a local motorcycle shop owner, and some friends came up with the idea of holding a motorcycle race and stunt competition. The first event consisted of 19 racers at the half-mile track and some dangerous events such as board-wall crashes, ramp jumps and head-on collisions with cars. Local businesses put up the $500 prize money. Every year the event grew as both racers and spectators learned of the event. The races were cancelled for two years during World War II when the war took many young men overseas.
After the war, the Sturgis Rally event started to grow as the motorcycling lifestyle gained popularity. One thousand motorcyclists attended the program in the city park during the 1965 rally. By the time the 1980's rolled around, the attendance numbers climbed into the tens of thousands. For the 50th Anniversary in 1990, approximately 400,000 bikers came to celebrate. In 1999, the event drew 275,000 − 290,000 people from around the world. The biggest rally of all happened in 2000, the 60th Anniversary. Estimated attendance was 550,000 − 633,000.
Just the word "Sturgis" captures the attention and imagination of the entire world of motorcycles. It was in 1936 that a small group of motorcycle enthusiasts founded the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club with the simply stated goal to ""promote motorcycle racing and touring." History has proven their dedication and accomplishments.
Early in 1937 the Jackpine Gypsies joined the American Motorcycle Association and began holding racing events at the city's half-mile dirt track. But, 1938 turned out to be the historic year. That was when the City of Sturgis joined forces with the Jackpine Gypsies and the first "Rally" was held over a three day period in August, highlighted by the Jackpine Gypsies Championship Half-Mile Race. 2008 marks the 70th Anniversary of that Jackpine Gypsy Championship race. Since that race untold numbers of Americans from every state in the land and people around the world have come to Sturgis in search of something. I think it was to be part of a special American Celebration that is the Jackpine Gypsy racing.
