Clarence “Pappy” Hoel created the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club after purchasing a Sturgis, South Dakota Indian Motorcycle Franchise in 1936. The first ever Sturgis Rally was held on August 14th of 1938 as a one day event. At that time, only 9 participants raced in what was then known as the Black Hills Classic.

Since the Black Hills Classic days, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has evolved into an event spanning 10 days in August with attendance in the hundreds of thousands. In 2015 alone, the Rally had an attendance of >700,000 participants who traveled from as far as Japan, Australia, Germany, and elsewhere. (ref: Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (2014) Rally History Timeline)

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is an annual event that’s known worldwide.