We started attending the Sturgis Mustang Rally in 2007 and haven’t missed a year since. As some of the rallies go, this is not the oldest, but certainly one of the best, if not the best, in the country. This year, the rally starts on September 1 and runs until September 5.
I’m just guessing in round numbers but I think in 2007 there were around 500-600 cars last year (2010) I think it was more like 1,000 cars. I have been to many car shows and rallies in my time and I have to say this is one of the best organized events I have ever been to. From registration to the final dinner, you are well attended and well organized. Most people have heard of Sturgis because of bike week, which by the way is only two weeks before. Many people have asked me how it compares to bike week and I tell them it’s just like bike week, except no fights, no gangs, not as many drunks and topless girls. So for the most part it’s very family friendly. We were on the bar crawl the last two years and they have a lot of drinking games but for the most part everyone is very well behaved.
I noticed that registration this year is in the Thunderdome, in previous years it was held downtown. Also, I noticed they added a burnout meet which is in the Thunderdome from 6-9 on Friday. I guess I’ll throw some old tires on my trailer before I leave this year.
For me the highlight of the rally is the poker run tour. They take us through some of the most beautiful areas of the country. I warn you, it’s pretty long, I can’t remember how long it was last year, but I want to say it was over 100 miles. But they had some great stops, I wish I could remember the name of the little gas station gift shop. It’s in the middle of nowhere, but it’s a lot of fun.
I’m not a big gambler, but it’s a lot of fun to go to Deadwood in the evenings and put a few pennies in the slots (I did win $250.00 last year though). The casinos are clean and nice and the city is fun just to walk around.
They have an autocross run several times over the weekend, it looks like a lot of fun but frankly I’m too anal to work my car that hard. On Saturday night they open the 1/8 mile race track and let you race on it. We haven’t done it in the past, but if all goes well, we’ll try it this year.
The rally is becoming more and more popular, so it is very important that you get hotel reservations in advance. We made ours almost a year early this time. If you try and wait until the last second, you will be camping.
Bottom line, as a Mustang fan, I highly recommend going to Sturgis! Make your reservations early, go to the poker run, take the kids, grab 50 bucks to spend on the slots, and do the pub crawl (but don’t plan on beating me on the beer ping).
Oh, and shake hands and say thank you to one of the volunteers who puts this up every year!