Over a half of million motorcycle enthusiasts are expected to travel to the Black Hills of South Dakota for the 71st Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
For over seven decades, motorcycle enthusiasts and E3 Spark Plugs racing fans have made the annual trek to Sturgis, South Dakota, for what is arguably the largest bike rally held in the United States. Both the Sturgis Rally and Daytona Bike Week typically draw several hundred thousand bikers to their respective venues with a reported 750,000-plus having attended the Sturgis event in 2000. This year over half a million motorcycle riders and their families are expected to migrate to the Black Hills for the official week of festivities from August 8th through August 14th.
Since the initial rally in 1938, which featured a single motorcycle race known as the “Black Hills Classic”, the event has grown to include something for everyone. With the revitalization of motorcycling across America, many new attendees now travel in campers, bring the kids and trailer their bikes. The 2011 Sturgis rally schedule features incredible live concerts, motorcycle races, beauty contests, midget bowling, burn-outs, charity rides and lots of good food. Although there are several places to park it for the night, none are more famous than the Buffalo Chip Campground.
On stage performers scheduled at the Buffalo Chip include Alice Cooper, Styx, Edgar Winter, Pop Evil, Sweet Cyanide, Buckcherry, Def Leppard, Toby Keith, Poison, Gregg Allman, Stevie Nicks, Saving Abel, Puddle of Mudd, George Thorogood, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and John Fogerty. In addition, the Bob Woodruff Foundation that helps educate the public about the needs of service members returning from war will host a charity event at the “Chip” (the American Thunder Music Festival) on Aug. 11 featuring actor/singer Jeff Bridges performing songs from his Academy Award winning movie “Crazy Heart”.
In between the bar hopping, hitting up the bike shows, attending concerts and watching motorcycle races at the famed Sturgis half-mile, event goers can stroll the vendor’s booths along Lazelle and Main Streets. A welcomed change for this year’s Black Hills festival will be improved traffic patterns. The State of South Dakota Highway Department and local officials worked together to develop new routes and improve the management of traffic signals to better facilitate the massive crowds. Plus, event promoters have promised more hot water and flushable toilets in prime public areas.
Before you head north, stop by your favorite motorcycle shop or discount auto parts store for a box of E3 Motorcycle Spark Plugs and discover for yourself why E3 replacement plugs are “Born to Burn”. If you’re hauling your bikes to Sturgis, you can improve the performance of your favorite ride with a new set of E3 car or truck spark plugs featuring E3′s patented DiamondFire technology. Safe travel and keep it on two wheels.
