The Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club started in 1936, with an
official American Motorcycle Association (AMA) charter in 1937.
AMA began promoting the racing events; which started the now
famous Rally in Sturgis on August 14, 1938. That weekend celebration
in 1938 had a lineup of only nine racers and a small audience
watching the races.
The average age for a motorcycle
club is three years, and after 62 years, this club is still
running strong. The club owns all the property on which most
of our club activities take place. There is approximately 40
acres adjacent to Interstate 90 between Exit 30 and Exit 32,
the busiest section of Interstate 90 during the Sturgis Rally.
A lighted short track, motocross track, field meet area, hillclimb
area, clubhouse, office and state approved concession business
are located on these grounds.
The Jackpine Gypsies are a non-profit organization. They donate
to area charities, including: the local food bank, Sturgis High
School, Zonta Club of Sturgis, and Christian Motorcycle Association.
Go to their site if you are interested in becoming a member.
www.JackpineGypsies.com
The Jackpine Gypsies have over 150 members living all over the
United States and abroad. The average age of club members is
40. The average age of spectators is 42, while the average age
of the riders is 23. The short track at the Jackpine Gypsies
club grounds was first used in 1963. Since that debut race,
many improvements have been made. The racetrack is now wider,
it has permanent seating, the lighting system has been improved,
there is an announcer, a sign up building and a clubhouse, where
the concession business is located. The club holds races every
other weekend and a full week of races during the rally .A motocross
track was added on in the 1980's and then in 1996 a new track
was built. The sport of motocross is beginning to grow again,
in fact, in 1998; the Gypsies held five motocross races, which
attracted over 500 racers. During the Sturgis Rally, they hold
12 events, including: motocross racing, a 1/2 mile race, hill
climbs, road tours and short track racing. There were over 6000
spectators and hundreds of racers during the week of the Rally.
As you can see, the Sturgis Rally has grown quite a bit since
the first rally in 1937!
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