Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is an international motorcycle rally held annually in Sturgis, South Dakota, and in the nearby Black Hills. The rally began in summer of 1938, when a motorcycle club, called the Jackpine Gypsies, held a small rally just outside Sturgis.
Every year thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts travel to the Black Hills for the rally. The rally offers many great races to spectate, along with scenic views of the Black Hills and many vendors to enjoy. One of the most interesting aspects of the Sturgis Rally is its history.
How did it start?
In 1936, a man named J. C. “Pappy” Hoel bought an Indian Motorcycle Franchise in Sturgis, SD. He started the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club that same year. The club acquired an official American Motorcycle Association (AMA) charter the following year. In 1938, a small audience attended The Black Hills Motor Classic, a small motorcycle rally (with only nine racers) held in Sturgis. Since then the rally has grown into the massive international rally that is now known as the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
The progression of the Sturgis Rally
Since starting in 1936, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has encountered many changes to improve the rally. In 1949, Main Street was blocked off for a 2 hour awards ceremony. In 1961, the Jackpine Gypsies introduce the Hill Climb and Motocross races. Main street was eventually completely closed for motorcycle parking for the three day event. The rally was changed to a five day event in 1965, and then to a seven day event in 1975.
In the 1980’s the rally actually became so big that the Jackpine Gypsies could no longer run it, and the group turned the event over to the city to run. Later on, in 2000, the Sturgis Rally saw its largest attendance yet (600,000 people). In 2002, the city of Sturgis formed a department in the city government to organize and promote the Rally. Today, the rally attracts hundreds of thousands of participants from the United States, Canada, and dozens of other international communities including: Japan, Australia, Germany, and England.
The Jackpine Gypsies
One of the most influential organizations to the Sturgis Rally is the Jackpine Gypsies. The Jackpine Gypsies started in 1936 and is one of the longest running motorcycle clubs in the United States. The average age for a motorcycle club is three years, and after 62 years, this club is still running strong. The Jackpiners own about 40 acres of land near Sturgis. This land is where most of the club activities take place. The Jackpine Gypsies have their light short track, motocross track, field meet area, hillclimb area, clubhouse, office, and concession business located on this land. The Jackpiner’s land is one of the busiest areas, in the Black Hills, during the Sturgis Rally each year.
The Jackpine Gypsies host 12 events each year, including motocross racing, a 1/2 mile race, hill climbs, road tours and short track racing, during the rally. The Jackpiners have made many improvements to their tracks since their beginnings in 1936 (including adding a motocross track in the 1980’s). The Jackpine Gypsies take great pride in having thousands of people enjoy these great tracks during the Sturgis Rally.
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is an international motorcycle rally held annually in Sturgis, South Dakota, and in the nearby Black Hills. The rally began in summer of 1938, when a motorcycle club, called the Jackpine Gypsies, held a small rally just outside Sturgis.
Every year thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts travel to the Black Hills for the rally. The rally offers many great races to spectate, along with scenic views of the Black Hills and many vendors to enjoy. One of the most interesting aspects of the Sturgis Rally is its history.
How did it start?
In 1936, a man named J. C. “Pappy” Hoel bought an Indian Motorcycle Franchise in Sturgis, SD. He started the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club that same year. The club acquired an official American Motorcycle Association (AMA) charter the following year. In 1938, a small audience attended The Black Hills Motor Classic, a small motorcycle rally (with only nine racers) held in Sturgis. Since then the rally has grown into the massive international rally that is now known as the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
The progression of the Sturgis Rally
Since starting in 1936, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has encountered many changes to improve the rally. In 1949, Main Street was blocked off for a 2 hour awards ceremony. In 1961, the Jackpine Gypsies introduce the Hill Climb and Motocross races. Main street was eventually completely closed for motorcycle parking for the three day event. The rally was changed to a five day event in 1965, and then to a seven day event in 1975.
In the 1980’s the rally actually became so big that the Jackpine Gypsies could no longer run it, and the group turned the event over to the city to run. Later on, in 2000, the Sturgis Rally saw its largest attendance yet (600,000 people). In 2002, the city of Sturgis formed a department in the city government to organize and promote the Rally. Today, the rally attracts hundreds of thousands of participants from the United States, Canada, and dozens of other international communities including: Japan, Australia, Germany, and England.
The Jackpine Gypsies
One of the most influential organizations to the Sturgis Rally is the Jackpine Gypsies. The Jackpine Gypsies started in 1936 and is one of the longest running motorcycle clubs in the United States. The average age for a motorcycle club is three years, and after 62 years, this club is still running strong. The Jackpiners own about 40 acres of land near Sturgis. This land is where most of the club activities take place. The Jackpine Gypsies have their light short track, motocross track, field meet area, hillclimb area, clubhouse, office, and concession business located on this land. The Jackpiner’s land is one of the busiest areas, in the Black Hills, during the Sturgis Rally each year.
The Jackpine Gypsies host 12 events each year, including motocross racing, a 1/2 mile race, hill climbs, road tours and short track racing, during the rally. The Jackpiners have made many improvements to their tracks since their beginnings in 1936 (including adding a motocross track in the 1980’s). The Jackpine Gypsies take great pride in having thousands of people enjoy these great tracks during the Sturgis Rally.