STURGIS, S.D.—Clarence “Pappy” Hoel wanted to promote his Indian Motorcycle dealership in Sturgis, South Dakota, in 1936. So, he built a half-mile dirt oval track and invited a few like-minded gearheads to race their machines on it—cars included.
That informal race was so well-received that on Aug. 14, 1938, nine racers and an unknown number of spectators gathered for the first Annual Black Hills Motor Classic.
The first races were organized and managed by the Jack Pine Gypsies, the local motorcycle club, also started by Hoel. The Gypsies still sponsor motorcycle competitions in conjunction with the rally.
Little did they know in 1938 that their dirt track race would grow into the largest motorcycle rally in the world….