Don Vodden

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Don Vodden: From Boxing Champ to Sturgis Pioneer

The annual roar of engines and the spirit of camaraderie that fills Sturgis each year owes a debt to pioneers like Don Vodden, whose life was as colorful and storied as the rally he helped shape. A founding member of the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club and a competitor in the very first event that would become the legendary Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Don Vodden’s passion for motorcycles left an indelible mark on the history of American motorcycling.

A Sturgis Native with a Need for Speed

Born and raised in Sturgis, South Dakota, Vodden was drawn to motorcycles at a young age. In the 1930s, a time when motorcycles were still viewed as rugged machines for the daring few, Vodden embraced the challenge and excitement they offered. To fund his growing obsession, young Don took on three jobs, including cutting ice for none other than J.C. “Pappy” Hoel, the man who would go on to found the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. With his savings, Vodden purchased his first bike, a 1918 Harley-Davidson JD, at the age of 15. It was the start of a lifelong love affair with motorcycles.

A Founding Jackpine Gypsy

In 1937, Vodden joined the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club, an organization that would soon become legendary for its role in creating the Sturgis Rally. That year, the club began planning its first major event: the 1938 Black Hills Classic. Held on a dusty half-mile dirt track in Sturgis, this race would later grow into what we now know as the world-famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Vodden didn’t just participate; he played a pivotal role in the event’s success, both on and off the track.

When he wasn’t racing, Vodden was busy helping behind the scenes. He assisted Pearl Hoel, Pappy’s wife, by hauling lunch up into the hills for the riders of the Gypsy Tour and pitching in to serve food to the hungry competitors. It was a true community effort, and Vodden’s hands-on involvement helped set the tone for the welcoming, family-like atmosphere that still characterizes Sturgis to this day.

The Heart of a Fighter

But Don Vodden was more than just a motorcycle enthusiast. He was also a skilled athlete, winning the South Dakota State Golden Gloves Championship at middleweight in 1939. Turning professional, he embarked on a boxing career that took him to fight rings across North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. His boxing prowess, combined with his fearless approach to racing, earned him a reputation as a man who never backed down from a challenge.

One of the most memorable moments of Vodden’s early racing career came just after a victorious bout in Deadwood, South Dakota. Instead of resting, Vodden jumped on the back of George Cobbler’s Indian Chief and rode all night to Greeley, Colorado, to compete in the prestigious Island Grove Park Speed Classic the very next day. There, he faced off against some of the biggest names in racing, including “Iron Man” Ed Kertz, Jimmy Kelly, and the legendary Isle of Man TT winner J. Braithwaite. Vodden held his own, winning his heat race, placing third in the time trials, and taking home a purse of $65—no small prize in the tough years of the late 1930s.

Service to Country and Commitment to the Rally

When World War II erupted, Vodden answered the call of duty, joining the U.S. Army and beginning a military career that spanned two decades. He served bravely in the Pacific Theater during WWII and later fought in the Korean War, eventually achieving the rank of Master Sergeant before retiring in 1962. Though the demands of military service often took him far from home, Vodden’s heart never strayed from the hills of Sturgis.

“I've only missed a few Rallies,” Vodden once recalled. “That's 'cause I had to, not because I didn't want to be there.” Indeed, his dedication to the Sturgis Rally was unshakeable. Over his lifetime, Vodden attended nearly every rally since its inception, missing only three or four in a span of more than 70 years—a testament to his enduring commitment to the event and its community.

A Legend Remembered

The last rally Don Vodden attended was in 2010, at the age of 92. Even in his later years, Vodden’s presence was a reminder of the rally’s humble beginnings and the pioneers who shaped its spirit. His induction into the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame as a Charter Member of the Jackpine Gypsies recognized not just his contributions to racing, but his lifelong dedication to the sport and the rally that grew into a global phenomenon.

Don Vodden passed away on January 21, 2012, at the age of 93, leaving behind a legacy that is forever intertwined with the history of Sturgis. As the last surviving competitor of that fateful 1938 race, he was a living link to the rally’s roots—a man whose passion, grit, and love for motorcycles helped build one of the world’s greatest motorcycling traditions.

Today, the rumble of engines and the cheers of the crowd at Sturgis still echo with the spirit of Don Vodden and the early Jackpine Gypsies. The next time you see riders tearing around the track or cruising down Main Street, remember the pioneers like Vodden who paved the way, one race and one rally at a time.