Buffalo Chip, SD (Aug. 13, 2015) – Adrenaline flowed through the Sturgis Buffalo Chip last week as it hosted a record number of patrons during the Best Party AnywhereTM. As the cornerstone celebration of the 75th anniversary of the rally, the number of guests camping and partying at the Chip helped to make the 2015 affair the largest biker event on record and the largest event of any kind in South Dakota’s history.
Terrifying World Record Jump Success
In a terrifying display of courage, motorcycle daredevil Doug Danger pulled off a jump on Aug. 6 that even the most famous of all daredevils, Evel Knievel®, couldn’t quite accomplish. Riding Knievel’s own 1972 XR-750, Danger roared down a dirt path between packed campers, under a steel bridge, up an engineered ramp and over 22 cars set through the center of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip amphitheater. Video of the terrifying world record jump can be seen at https://youtu.be/EDYl5z9g35w.
Celebrity, Military and Women’s Rides Raise Record Amount for Charitable Causes
A total of over $90,000 was raised for charity this year through the Buffalo Chip’s three signature rides. The premier charity ride of the rally, the Buffalo Chip’s Legends Ride®, attracted more than 500 bikers and some of the biggest names in bike building, business, television and movies while raising more than $64,000 for Black Hills Special Olympics, the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and the Buffalo Chip’s Technical Education Scholarship Fund. Thursday’s Freedom Celebration Ride raised funds for veterans’ charities Warrior Dog Foundation, Wounded Wear/Combat Wounded Coalition, America’s Mighty Warriors and the Community Living Center at Fort Meade VA. Outstanding veterans were recognized on the Buffalo Chip main stage on Thursday evening and presented with the Bob Hanson Distinguished Service Award in front of a very appreciative audience. Biker Belles® raised funds for local charities and celebrated Motor Maids matriarch Gloria Struck’s 90th birthday.
Live Sculpture Formed From Bikes and Bikers
Nearly 1,000 motorcycles gathered near the Field of Flags on Aug. 6 under the direction of artist John Quigley to form an eagle the size of a football field. Those riding in the Chip’s Freedom Celebration Ride joined the giant artistic creation as they returned from their annual charity run. The Eagle 75 honored veterans and promoted clean water practices.
Traditions and Upstarts
The Budweiser Clydesdales were a fan favorite, especially when the team of eight gentle giants hitched up to pull the historic Budweiser beer wagon through the Chip’s packed amphitheater on both Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The Seattle Cossacks entertained large crowds of adoring fans in the Chip’s CrossRoads Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, creating seemingly impossible acrobatic formations atop vintage 1948 Harley-Davidsons. The first annual Big Woody’s Panty Party attracted 182 bikers clad only in outrageously hilarious skivvies and knickers. This truly organic event was infectiously upbeat and all vowed to return next year.
More Horsepower
Five days of bike shows at the Chip’s CrossRoads presented daily collections of some of the rally’s most amazing machines. The Motorcycles as Art exhibit, “The Naked Truth” curated by famed photographer, Michael Lichter, drew a record crowd. Unlike any bike show or exhibit ever before displayed, the 35 tantalizing customs were unencumbered by paint or graphics, laying bare the true beauty of the machines. Roland Sands unveiled his custom 75th Anniversary bike to an enthusiastic crowd from the main stage on Sun., Aug. 2. The bike build was supported collaboratively by GEICO, the Buffalo Chip and Indian Motorcycle. Cary Nunely rode home to Texas on the 2015 Buffalo Chip Sturgis Rider Sweepstakes bike, a Victory Gunner fully customized by famed builder, Cory Ness. He also won the matching Epiphone Sheraton II guitar. The Buffalo Chip PowerSports Complex offered seven days of non-stop racing action from AMA ATV racing and TORC (The Off-Road Racing Championships) to Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pulls and the Nitro Nationals Hill Climbs.
Iconic Rock Legends Attract Record-Breaking Audience
For the first time ever, in anticipation of the big event, the Buffalo Chip opened up with a very successful free pre-rally concert series and continued with nine nights of incredible live concerts on the Wolfman Jack Main Stage. Record crowds flooded into the amphitheater for both Tuesday’s Lynyrd Skynyrd performance and Friday’s Def Leppard performance. The Chip’s seven showcase stages kept the party going with live entertainment throughout the afternoon and well into the night.
“It was an incredible year,” said Rod Woodruff, Sturgis Buffalo Chip President. “We hosted a record number of events, rides, bike shows and activities and the concerts were just outstanding. From Doug Danger’s terrifying jump and the Budweiser Clydesdales to the Cossacks and legendary concerts, the action was non-stop for 16 days.”
The Buffalo Chip has already begun making preparations for the celebration of its 35th anniversary in 2016. Passes for the event are on sale and may be purchased at www.buffalochip.com.
