Sturgis SD - February 21, 2024 - The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame today announced the museum’s Hall of Fame Class of 2024. This distinguished lineup is composed of individuals with a diverse range of accomplishments … from Hollywood fame, to racing championships, to business success. Honorees this year have supported veterans and the elderly, advocated for motorcyclists' rights, and have shown artistic talent on canvas as well as on two wheels.
"The Hall of Fame Class of 2024 is notable for its deep roots in the culture of motorcycling,” said Museum Board President Craig Bailey. "Each one of the honorees has uniquely touched our sport and the riding community. We couldn’t be happier to recognize these truly special individuals."
The class of 2024 includes both Hall of Fame inductees and three special award winners.
This year's Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Pete Hill. Hill, who owns a shop in South Carolina, has mastered the creation of race-winning performance motorcycle engines and serves customers from around the globe. He is also an accomplished motorcycle drag racer earning numerous wins and championships, including nine Top Fuel wins in Sturgis.
The 2024 Freedom Fighter Award goes to Jiggs Cressy for his tireless leadership of ABATE of South Dakota, where he served as State Coordinator for fourteen years. Cressy has advocated for South Dakota’s riders in the State Capital countless times and has made eight trips to do the same in Washington as well. Cressy has also received the John "Farmer" Eggers Award, the most prized honor from the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, in 2018.
James Sherwin "Bud" Ekins is the 2024 honoree for the Kickstands Down Award. Bud was widely regarded as one of the film industry's most accomplished stuntmen and was famous for his work in films like "The Great Escape" and "Bullitt." Before venturing into the film industry, Ekins had success in off-road racing, participating in notable events including the International Six Day Trial, the Mint 400 and the Baja 500. (Kickstand’s Down is a posthumous award presented to an individual worthy of additional recognition.)
The induction breakfast ceremony will be held on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at The Lodge at Deadwood.
ABOUT THE STURGIS MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM AND HALL OF FAME
Founded in 2001, the non-profit Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame is located at the heart of the world’s largest motorcycle event, the annual Sturgis Rally. It is a top year-round tourist destination in South Dakota and is considered a “must see” experience for visiting riders. The museum’s collection features over 80 vintage and custom motorcycles, which is one of the world's largest permanent collections of custom and modified motorcycles. The exhibits also feature an extensive collection of art, including paintings, illustrations, and sculptures. The Museum's Hall of Fame, which precedes the opening of the museum, includes nearly 280 noted individuals from the motorcycle industry and motorcycle culture around the world. The annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony takes place during the Sturgis Rally each August.
Tickets sales open March 1, 2024. For corporate tables, please call Heidi or Penny at 605-347-2001.