1936
- Clarence “Pappy” Hoel purchases Indian Motorcycle franchise in Sturgis
- The Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club was formed.
1938
- The first Black Hills Motor Classic was held in Sturgis on August 14th. A race of 9 participants and a small audience began the tradition we know as The Sturgis Rally.
1942 and 1943
- Rally did not take place due to WW II gas rationing.
1949
- Sturgis Main Street is first blocked off for an awards ceremony.
1961
- Jackpine Gypsies introduce the Hill Climb and Motocross races.
1963
- Classic expands to a 3-day event.
1964
- One block of Main Street is closed for motorcycle parking only during the Classic.
1965
- The Classic expands to a 5-day event
- Estimated Attendance for the 25th Rally: 2,500
1974
- The first vendor sets up in the Sturgis Auditorium.
1975
- The Classic becomes a 7-day event.
1979
- The City of Sturgis begins licensing vendors (9 vendors licensed).
1981
- Estimated Attendance for the 41st Classic: 30,000
1983
- City Park is closed to camping due to fire outbreaks.
1988
- 117 vendors licensed in the City of Sturgis.
1989
- “Pappy” Hoel passes away at the age of 85.
1990
- Estimated Attendance for the 50th Classic: 400,000
- Number of Vendors: 243
- Four blocks of Main Street closed for motorcycle parking only.
1992
- The Black Hills Motor Classic renamed the Sturgis Rally and Races.
1999
- Estimated Attendance for the 59th Rally: 325,000
2000
- Estimated Attendance for the 60th Rally: 625,000
- Number of vendors: 943
2003
- The official name of event changed to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
- Estimated Attendance for the 63rd Rally: 450,000
- Number of vendors: 848
2005
- 65th Anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
2015
- 75th Anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally