The WMDRA’s AMSOIL Sturgis Nationals brought some of the quickest and fastest drag bikes on the planet to a vintage 1/8 mile strip just out of Sturgis, South Dakota for the 74th Annual Sturgis Race and Rally, along with–oh–400,000 friends.
The WMDRA came to be a part of the 74th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and to bring drag racing to Sturgis Dragway. Sandra Alberti’s collaboration with Sturgis Nationals Title sponsor AMSOIL was busy even before their races began.
As teams were pulling into the track, the WMDRA crew was preparing for 3 days of chaos.
Beginning on Monday, there were appearances in town bringing burnouts to Main Street at the AMSOIL campus. Featuring Glen Kerr with his 1950’s dual engine Triumph Dubble Trubble, David Tibert, and Chris Spencer, the Mike Bahnmaier Top Fueler, and a couple front wheel to wheel burnouts by AGR Racing dazzled the downtown shoppers.
From the WMDRA AMSOIL burnouts on Main Street, to Fort Mead VA Facility and Hospital where Bahnmaier Race team took Verl “Smitty” Smith’s place for two year’s respite from the “Griz Robinson Memorial Bike Show” for a few hours of visiting with the vets and playing a little bingo. Then late that evening it was WMDRA on to Jay Allen’s Easyrider on Lazelle to accompany Doc Hopkins and his daughter Kersten Heling to crank up the bikes of their father-daughter Nitro team in front of thousands of enthusiastic faces.
But 18 hour days are just part of Sturgis and why we come.
That’s right –WMDRA came to race and so it did. The track prep was completed, ready to race, the pits had teams from throughout the US and Canada, the concession stands were open, registration and tech cards all entered in the track computer system and it RAINED, in that special kind of OMG rain that Sturgis is known for. Rains sent the S&S Cycle folks scrambling to get their T124 test bikes undercover. S&S shared the track to provide riders with an opportunity to feel the power of the legendary S&S creation. There was a drag race school by drag racer and land speed record holder, Mark Dotson. And there was that darned RAIN.
Tents and pits were secured, Ray Wheeler’s Land Speed Bike and his generous supply of Kangen water (for the race teams and spectators to drink) snugged up under the grandstands and qualifying was delayed till 9 am on Wednesday. Amazingly, Jerry and the crew at Sturgis Dragway had the track ready and despite the glitch of lightening blowing out the computer system in the time slip booth, qualifying and racing continued.
The racers did have to send crew members and friends to get run information now placed on clips on the concession stand wall. Was it perfect? NO. Was it functional? YES.
And so qualifying began, a day late, and each team got two qualifying passes and the WMDRA’s focus on getting the race in paid off and eliminations began on time. However, between qualifying and racing, one of the premier track side activities took place in the pits. The WMDRA Grand Marshals signed autographs. Bonnie Truett, who had just that morning been inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame, was accompanied by his buddies and cohorts in racing, Pete Hill and Marion “Mo” Owens. The lines for autographs and pictures stretched in the pit area and gave the tower a chance to get the ladders ready.
The Air Force Academy Band Wild Blue Country sang the National Anthem and the races were ON. Just as the sun was setting, a new set of Sturgis Champions were in line for photo ops, with North Carolina’s Freddie Robbins, riding for Bahnmaier Racing, crowned Top Fuel King.
Sturgis Race and Rally is many things to many people. Some come to drag race with the WMDRA, some come to flat track, some to hill climb, some to drink and some come to ride and watch the show, others obviously come to BE the show.
Many senses are tickled on Main Street. Smoke fills the air from the WMDRA drag bikes at AMSOIL, the heat of the street engines almost crawling down Lazelle Street, the grill sizzling and bands at Easyriders blasting. The Indian Taco stands, the pin stripers, booth after booth of apparel, boots, baby tees, bars–it’s just Sturgis, and that’s only in DOWNTOWN. Sturgis, the oldest ongoing Race and Rally in the World with over 400,000 people in a town that usually has 6,000.
And how in the hell does that work out?? AWESOME see you next year.
The Western Motorcycle Drag Racing Association (WMDRA) was formed in 2011 to promote the sport of ALL-MAKE, American and Metric, motorcycle drag racing in the Western United States.
A grass roots organization, we are drag racers for drag racing!
Our goal is simple: promote organized dragbike events in the West where we can match our bikes, mechanical and riding skills with others, and have a good time at the track! We offer eleven different classes of competition for all makes of motorcycles and types of racers.
We are an NHRA Alternative Sanction Organization (ASO) and have built strong relationships with track owners and managers over the course of our first two seasons to become a solid, organized association committed to safety, development and enhancement of all-make motorcycle drag racing.
WMDRA events are affordably priced at just $15/day or $25/event and attract the most die-hard and loyal fans in the sport. Spectators are always welcome in the pits to talk with racers and crew members, and participate in our free drag race school!
Our commitment to the sport is real, and with a bit more financial horsepower, our success will only continue to grow.
Western Motorcycle Drag Racing Assoc., LLC
(208) 850-5795
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