Sturgis 2011 Event Information
Of course you should visit Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse monuments, see a buffalo and ride to the Spearfish Echo Caves in the Badlands. But you can Google the tourist attractions. What about the stuff you should see and do at Sturgis Motorcycle Rally?
The Jackpine Gypsies, one of the oldest motorcycle clubs in the country, founded the Sturgis Rally more than 70 years ago. It was focused then as it is today on racing and riding and having a party with fellow bikers. Here are the high points of Sturgis 2011.
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The Ryan Waterland Memorial Race, hosted by the Jackpine Gypsies gets off to a start at 9 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 7th at 1216 Short Track Road, Sturgis. Sign up is at 7 a.m. on Ride Day. Practice is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6th.
The short track at the Jackpine Gypsies club grounds was first used in 1963. Many improvements have been made over the years. The club holds races every other weekend and a full week of races during the Sturgis rally. The sport of motocross has become popular again with young riders in their 20’s. A motocross track was added in the 1980's and then in 1996 a new track was built. In 1998, there were five motocross races, which attracted over 500 racers. Details: www.jackpinegypsies.com
AMD World Championship Bike Show – August 7 to 10, 2011 at Champions Park Freddie “Krugger” Bertrand of Belgium is now wearing the World Champions’ ring after winning the 2010 AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building during the 2010 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The AMD Champions Park is a designated 4.5 acre vendor’s area at 3rd and Lazelle Streets in downtown Sturgis. Harley-Davidson became a major sponsor of the AMD Championships and moved into that area in 2010. The Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building program now encompasses some 32 events in total, many of them Harley-Davidson “AMD Affiliate” events in 20 different countries: Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the Russian Federation, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, United Arab Emirates and the United States of America.
Monday, Aug. 8th 2011, the Annual Legends Ride will rock the South Dakota Black Hills from Deadwood to the Sturgis Buffalo Chip®. Join an array of celebrities, builders, artists and riders to raise significant funds for Sky Ranch for Boys and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame. The premier charity ride has sold-out every year since it began in 2007.
The 4th Annual Legends Ride® will depart from downtown historic Deadwood for a 50-mile ride through the beautiful Black Hills and end at the Legendary Buffalo Chip with food and drinks at a private reception, special live auction and a concert headlined by the 80’s rockers Def Leppard and Tesla. Each rider donates $150 and also receives a souvenir gift package, guest parking and overnight camping.
The Legendary Buffalo Chip is celebrating “30 Years Strong” in 2011 with concerts by Alice Cooper and Pop Evil, Aug. 6th; Bachman & Turner and Styx, Aug. 7th; Def Leppard and Tesla, Aug. 8th; Toby Keith and Poison, Aug. 9th; Lynyrd Skynyrd, Aug. 10th; Jeff Bridges & Friends, Wounded Warriors Benefit, Aug. 11th; George Thorogood & The Destroyers and Leon Russell, Aug. 13th. From Hula Girls to Machine Gun Shooting and Mud Races, there’s always a lot going on at The Buffalo Chip.
Full Throttle Saloon – Downtown Sturgis kicks off with Rev Payton Big Damn Band, Aug. 7th and follows with two great bike shows; The Horse Backstreet Chopper Show on Monday, Aug. 8th and Paul Yaffe’s “Baddest Bagger in Sturgis Show” on Tuesday, Aug. 9th. Ted Nugent, Aug. 9th; Jackyl, Aug. 10th and Marshal Tucker Band, Aug. 12th. Full Throttle is a major party zone with Angie “It’s All About the Ass” – Rhett Rotten’s Wall of Death, midget wrestling and plenty of other Freak Shows, Theme Nights, hot bartenders, hot dancers and even a real ASS named Emmit.
The Knuckle Saloon – Downtown Sturgis was featured on the History Channel, when Larry the Cable Guy rode with the Hells Angels to the Black Hills and Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in 2010. He rode through the Black Hills and stopped at Mt. Rushmore. Then he took in the spectacle of the downtown Sturgis Rally and participated in extreme sport fighting at The World Famous Knuckle Saloon. The Knuckle is the home of KNKL Rally Radio. It has wall-to-wall Sturgis memorabilia and 10 full-service liquor bars, and a menu that includes Fat Tire Beer, chipotle-seasoned Wings of Fire, The Knuckle flame broiled burger and Buffalo Burgers, sweet potato waffle fries, Chicken, Shrimp and Fish baskets… and some of the best free entertainment in Sturgis.
Loud American Roadhouse – Downtown Sturgis - is a burger, steak and wings house that always has hot entertainment during the rally. Try the Loud Burger, Cajun Tip Pasta, Tip Poor Boy or Ranch Tip Wraps or settle on All-American favorites such as BLT, patty melt or a chicken strip basket.
One Eyed Jacks – Downtown Sturgis – The Five 13 Band will be playing Aug. 1 to 13. With 15,000 square feet of party space, it’s one of the few places where you can sit down to dinner and they feature “certified Angus Beef.” They employ over 50 bartenders during the Sturgis Rally to keep up with the food & party on three levels.
Broken Spoke Campground at the County Line will have concerts by Little River Band, Aug.7th; Foghat, Aug. 9th; and Jasmine Cain, Aug. 11th. Broken Spoke.
Wednesday, Aug. 10th 2011 starts with the 9 a.m. Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame Breakfast at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City, South Dakota. Share breakfast with legendary riders, racers and industry leaders. This year, one of the most famous riders of all time will be remembered: Robert Craig "Evel" Knievel. Details and breakfast tickets at: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame.
Screaming Eagle Performance Motorcycle Racing - AHDRA Races – daily at 1 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday (Aug. 10 & 11) at Sturgis Dragway: $25 gen. admission.
The 2011 NITRO National Pro Hillclimb at Sturgis Buffalo Chip® is gearing up to be the sickest event at the rally. Last year’s insanity of riding in the dark will be repeated, with events at 6, 8 and 10 p.m. on Wednesday & Thursday (Aug. 10 & 11.) This will be Round 5 of the RacerX/Malcolm Smith Motorsports N.A.H.A. Pro Hillclimb Series featuring the world’s greatest professional hill climb athletes such as Harold Waddell, Travis Whitlock, Jason Smith, Bret and Robie Peterson, Nick Beer, Dusty Beer, Corey Erhardt, and last year’s defending Open Exhibition Nitro National Champion Max Simmons will compete.
The Pro Pits will be open to the public so spectators can check out the action of the hill climb, while cruising through the pits, talking to the riders, and checking out the twisted fire-breathing machines. The 2011 NITRO National Pro Hillclimb
The Rat's Hole Custom Bike Show is the largest custom bike show in the world and always the biggest bike show in Sturgis. Look for the show again in 2011 on Thursday, Aug. 11th at the Buffalo Chip next to the Michael Lichter "Art of Motorcycles" exhibit hall. Both shows are free to attend.
The Rat’s Hole Bar that opened last year is the only venue at Buffalo Chip that serves draft beer at half-price with a 34-oz souvenir insulated mug, perfect for concerts.
The Art of Motorcycles presented by photographer Michael Lichter will focus on avant-garde artist, Jeff Decker this year in a show titled "Slant Artist-An Eccentric View on Motorcycles and Art." A large majority of the display will consist of Jeff's personal collection including ten beautiful bronze sculptures, along with many of the bikes that have inspired his art. There will also be an eclectic display of motorcycles and wall art culled not only from his personal collection, but from friends and other artists filling the 7,000 square foot Lichter Exhibition Hall at Sturgis Buffalo Chip® - open daily, Aug. 6-12th.
Decker's own collection includes a 1914 Harley-Davidson Twin (that he rode across the United States in the Motorcycle Cannonball race) to unusual bikes like his 1930 H-D DAH hill climber or a 1949 H-D WR racer. He has personally customized machines that were previously considered off-limits, like his 1941 Crocker and his 1952 Vincent. Add to the mix his respect for bikes like ex-pro-boarder Jason Jesse's 1949 Black Tibetan Panhead and many of Cole Foster's bikes.
Hours for the FREE exhibition this year will be August 6th-12th 10 a.m.-.10 p.m. with the exception of Tuesday August 9th where hours will be limited from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. for an invite only industry reception. Details: www.motorcyclesasart.com
Sturgis Rally Poker Runs, Rides & Charity Events – For the latest updates on events and details about charity events and poker runs, click the online events schedule or visit Sturgis Rally Headquarters at 1040 2nd Street in downtown Sturgis.
Saturday, Aug. 6th – Prostrate Cancer Awareness Poker Run – Golden Resort, Lead SD
Saturday, Aug. 6th – Salute to American Veterans – Homeless Veterans Event – Sturgis RV
Monday, Aug. 8th – Mayor’s Ride - $150 +tax
to benefit Sturgis Volunteer Fire Dept.
Tuesday, Aug. 9th – Custer Cruisin’ Poker Run & Custer Mayor’s Ride – Custer SD
Thursday, Aug. 11th – Hogs 4 Heroes 150-mile Sturgis Holdem’ Ride & Party
Thursday, Aug. 11th – Ridin’ the Riz Poker Run – Rapid City to Kyle SD
Thursday, Aug. 11th – Sturgis AA Serenity Ride - 9:20 a.m. at 1222 Junction Ave
Oglala Cultural Experience at Pine Ride Reservation powwow grounds, Kyle SD
Oglala Lakota College presents traditional Oglala Indian festivities and hands-on activities at the reservation powwow grounds, July 29 to Aug. 27, 2011. A traditional Oglala meal will be served at 4 p.m. on Aug. 5th, 6th, 12th and 13th during the Sturgis rally. Daily festivities begin at 3:30 p.m. Black Elk Speaks 7 to 8 p.m. and there is a cash-only art market.
Interior (SD) Volunteer Fire Dept. Hog Roast & Dance – Thurs. Aug. 11th
The Interior (SD) VFD will begin serving roasted hog, baked beans, salad and much more at 10 a.m. Thurs. Aug. 11th at the fire hall, 320 A Street in Interior SD. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be served. Dance to the Wilt Brothers Band at 8 p.m. There will be merchandise for sale as well as a raffle for 2 rifles & a 1971 Ford 3/4 ton 4x4 with Approx 15,000 original miles. All proceeds to benefit the Interior VFD & building fund. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Breakfast at the Sturgis Rally - Several local charities rely on funds they raise during the Rally to help them do good works the rest of the year. The food is great and the people are friendly.
- First Presbyterian Church - 1319 Junction Avenue
- Grace Lutheran Church - 1061 Sherman Street
- Senior Citizens Center - 919 2nd Street
- Marine Corps Jr. ROTC - 12901 Highway 79, at the Sturgis High School