Jackpine Gypsies MC
1997, Promotion
The Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club was initially chartered by the American Motorcycle Association in 1937. While there were several charter members of the Jackpine Gypsies, the most visible was and continues to be J.C. "Pappy" Hoel.
The newly founded club initiated the "Sturgis Motorcycle Rally" by holding a "Gypsie Tour" through the southern Black Hills. Camping was provided in the back yard of "Pappy" and Pearl Hoel behind their Indian Motocycle Shop on Junction Avenue in Sturgis, South Dakota. The event was "catered" by Pappy's wife, Pearl and the wives of the other initial charter members.
Throughout the 56 years of the Sturgis experience, the Gypsie Tour has been a staple and continues to provide an introduction for motorcycle riding enthusiasts not only to the scenic beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota, but to roads which leave the impression they were designed to satisfy an otherwise insatiable appetite of a motorcyclist for the road that gives a challenge. Eventually, the tour expanded into the Black Hills of Wyoming and to Devils Tower.
Having been introduced early on by the Gypsies at the Sturgis Fairgrounds, half mile flat track racing also became one of the rally staples. This gave many of the young and newly initiated race competitors an opportunity to accumulate points and advance from novice to expert professional racers.
As the rally evolved, so likewise did the Jackpine Gypsies. Their activity enhanced the rally by introduction of hill climbing as a competitive and spectator event. They introduced short track racing, not only as a rally event, but throughout the season. The club inaugurated vintage TT and moto cross racing and most recently an events day attracting competitors and spectators to dirt drags, slow races and a myriad of events attracting a broad spectrum of participants.
The common denominator for the Jackpine Gypsie membership was the motorcycle and its utilization in competition, recreation and transportation. otherwise the membership of the group include members drawn from various professions.
The club has shouldered civic responsibility in numerous ways. They donated to the City of Sturgis thousands of yards of fill dirt for construction of the Sturgis Community Center and parking lot; they have held membership in the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce for more than twenty years, providing personnel to various Chamber committees. Side by side with other Sturgis citizens, many Gypsie members spent many hours of manpower in preparation of the National Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame's 1990 opening.
One of the bonds which has served to tie the club together is the bond of family. Through their facilities, they have made available to the racing families an opportunity for the youth living in the Sturgis area to acquire skill on the oval, the hill or the mogul while more often than not, mom and dad present themselves as the pit crew.
In 1985, the Jackpine Gypsies were recognized by the American Motorcyclist Association as the "Top Road Club" and awarded the AMA Number 1 patch and belt buckle.
For sixty years the Jackpine Gypsie Motorcycle Club has made substantial contributions to motorcycle sports, touring, family and the community of which it is part.
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