1976 Chaotic
By: Sturgis Rally Daily
June, 12 2007
The 1976 rally was also memorable. Early Friday night of bike week a rumor began circulating of a near-riot at Sturgis City Park. Meade County Sheriff John Egger's estimate of a half dozen people arrested for "making trouble" was a little conservative. The picture changed dramatically in the next 36 hours when 104 arrests were made. Activity accelerated around 10 p.m. Saturday when bikers lit fires on the highway between the city park and the Lions Club Park. Drag racing through the flames and stunt riding followed. Egger said his mistake was riding through the park between 10:30-11 p.m. that day and announcing via a public address system that "We are going to wet things down." The bikers responded with remarks like, ‘Hey, man, we'll get a bath.' They really started racing up and down the road then. Two firemen received minor injuries, and windshields in a fire truck and a police vehicle were broken. The extra law enforcement personnel from Rapid City were sent home around 12:30 a.m. Officials decided a change was in order for 1977.
"The Motorcycle Classic, the Jackpine Gypsies and the promoters of this have got to consider security and public safety in any additional planning. I think it's (the rally) too long," was heard the week following the rally.