The 2016 Buffalo Chip Traditions and Stunning Performances
Buffalo Chip, SD (Aug. 23, 2016) – The authentic rally tradition continued last week as motorcycle and music fans gathered to enjoy nine days of adrenaline-packed action and entertainment at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip®. As the center of activity and heart of the annual rally loyal fans joined friends from around the globe for a gathering of two-wheeled titans, top entertainers, fearless racers, freedom lovers and crazy characters for the 35th anniversary of “The Best Party Anywhere!®”
The Flying Piston Benefit Breakfast
Good things happen when great people get together for a reason. That was evident at the second annual Flying Piston Builders Breakfast held at the Buffalo Chip CrossRoads on August 7th. As the 76th Sturgis Rally got underway, invited custom motorcycle builders whose bikes were featured in the Chip’s Motorcycles As Art exhibit gathered with industry notables and regular riders to raise funds for technical education scholarships.
Among those attending were Buffalo Chip owner Rod “Woody” Woodruff, photographer Michael Lichter and Moonshiner Josh Owens. Emcee Bob Kay of AIMExpo interviewed the builders and offered a forum for sponsors to showcase their products. Top sponsors were Jekill & Hyde Exhaust and Yelvington USA, joined by Kuryakyn, Mustang Seats, Misfit Industries and Securecaps.
Moto Stampede - Thunder Clapped and Gawds Stirred
The Chip did the unbelievable by successfully tearing up the amphitheater to install a track for one day of moto-hijinx directly in front of its main stage. During one of the most celebrated events of the 2016 rally, the Buffalo Chip revived the racing that founded the rally, making for an epic day of music and races the rally has never before seen in one place. Spectators stood in awe as the spray of rubber and roar of horsepower from the Buffalo Chip’s Street Drag Invitational with Crazy John filled the amphitheater on Wednesday, Aug. 10. The crowd then received another shot of pure adrenaline as they shifted to the south side of the Chip’s amphitheater for a taste of authentic dirt track racing from the Roland Sand’s Design’s Super Hooligan Races presented by Indian Motorcycle. Moto Stampede events brought the attention of national media like Forbes, MAXIM, Road & Track and more. The day ended with high-profile after parties that lasted into the wee morning hours.
In a throwback to the days when young men tweaked their street machines into dirt track racers, Roland Sands Designs and Indian Motorcycles helped revive the thrill of Hooligan flat track racing at the Buffalo Chip’s Moto Stampede in the amphitheater. Brakes were optional as celebrity racers Roland Sands and Carey Hart joined a cadre of potential champions tearing up the Chip’s new dirt track constructed specially to host this event.
Chip stunt fan favorites the Seattle Cossacks joined in on the festivities, stacking riders high atop their vintage Harleys and capturing the hearts of appreciative audiences with their winning smiles and baffling moto-acrobatics.
Celebrities Turn Out for Charity
The premier charity ride of the 2016 rally, the Buffalo Chip’s Legends Ride®, attracted some of the biggest names in bike building, business, television and movies on Monday, Aug. 8 while raising funds for South Dakota Special Olympics Rapid City Flame, the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and the Buffalo Chip Challenge™ Technical Education Scholarship Fund. The Buffalo Chip Challenge bikes were auctioned in support of the Legends Ride, and the second annual Legends Lunch, hosted by billionaire philanthropist John Paul DeJoria, actor Tom Berenger and actor, writer and producer Carmine Cangialosi, raised funds for charities Meeting the Need and South Dakota Special Olympics, Rapid City Flame. Thursday’s Freedom Celebration Rideraised funds for veterans’ charities Warrior Dog Foundation, Wounded Wear/Combat Wounded Coalition and America’s Mighty Warriors.
Outstanding veterans were recognized on the Buffalo Chip’s main stage on Thursday evening and presented with the Bob Hanson Distinguished Service Award in front of a very patriotic and appreciative audience. On Tuesday, Biker Belles® gathered to discuss “Two-Wheeled Transformation,” take a ride and raised money for local charity Helping with Horsepower and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame. Funds raised in 2016 bring the Chip’s total of charitable giving to more than $600,000 since 1981.
Custom Motorcycle Builders and Artists Prove Beauty Isn’t Just Skin Deep in Skin & Bones Exhibition Curated by Michael Lichter
The 2016 Motorcycles as Art exhibit, “Skin & Bones, Tattoo Inspired Motorcycles as Art,” curated by famed photographer Michael Lichter, drew an appreciative audience.
The museum-quality exhibit, open free to the public, included stunning works of motorcycle art from 32 builders and 20 artists from around the world.
Aki Sakamoto, Hog Killers, Hawaiian Gardens, CA
Andrea Radaelli*, Radikal Chopper, Milano, Italy
Bill Dodge, Blings Cycles, Daytona Beach, FL
Bobby Seeger*, Indian Larry Motorcycles, Brooklyn, NY
Bryan Fuller, Fuller Moto, Atlanta, GA
Chris Callen*, Cycle Source Magazine, Pittsburgh, PA
Chris Eder*, Misfit Industries, Addison, TX
Dalton Walker, Split Image Kustoms, Hanford, CA
Dan “Bacon” Carr, DC Choppers, Spicewood, TX
Eddie Trotta - Thunder Cycle, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Eric Allard*, FNA Custom Cycles, Lakeland, FL
George Stinsman*, Chaos Cycle, Mastic, NY
Jeff Cochran, Speedking Racing, West Harrison, IN
Jeff Holt*, Hot Bike Magazine, Orange County, CA
Kevin Dunworth, Loaded Gun Customs, Selbyville, DE
Nick Beaulieu*, Forever Two Wheels, Windham, ME
Ola Stenegard, Ronny and Benny Norén, Sebastian Gutsch, BMW Motorrad, Munich, Germany
Pat Patterson, Led Sled, Daytona, OH
Paul Yaffe, Paul Yaffe Originals, Phoenix, AZ
Richie Pan*, DST, Jackson, NJ
Rick Fairless, Strokers, Dallas, TX
Roadside Marty Davis, Flat Broke Chops and Rods, FL
Roland Sands, RSD, Los Alamitos, CA
Shaun and Aaron Gaurdado*, Suicide Machine Company, Long Beach, CA
Steve Peffer*, Steel City Choppers, Butler, PA
Taber Nash*, Nash Motorcycle Company, Long Beach, CA
Teach Kevin Baas, Baas Metal Craft, Lakeville, MN
Trent Schara*, Atomic Forge, WY
Trevelen Rabaual*, Superco, Los Angeles, CA
Uwe Ehinger*, Hamburg, GERMANY
Will Ramsay, Faith Forgotten, New Albany, IN
Yuichi Yoshizawa*, Custom Works Zon, Shiga Prefecture, Japan
* First time in the exhibition