torque magazine is born

o say that Sturgis was a little different from my perspective t this year would be a massive understatement. I would attend all the shows in the performance segment in previous years as a spectator; now, I was there with a purpose. Even though TORQUE was brand new (the print product launched in Sturgis), the word had already gotten around, and there was much ado surrounding it.

For starters, my week began a full week earlier than normal. I arrived on the

Monday prior to the official start of the rally. This meant that I was on the grounds way before the

Callen’s arrived in town. I had other business to tend to, so while that was happening, I had the opportunity to get a feel for how the event would shape up before many others got to town on Friday afternoon.

I typically get into town on

Saturday, which means that I miss any show on the first day of the rally. This year was different, which meant that I was able to attend Mondo’s show at the Chip. Mondo is a legend, and my long-time friend Aaron Greene was at Mondo’s show. I have to say that when I was asked to be a judge, I was beyond honored. I only wish my dad was still around to share the news with. Judging such a show means that you are trusted by your peers, and that was something I’ll never forget.

Sunday is always the same for me…Big Joe Mileke’s FXR show. This show is the best

collection of FXR’s in Sturgis (some would argue the world), and again…I had the honor of presenting a trophy and judging the show. TORQUE Magazine chose the FXR build by Bare Knuckle Performance, which is owned and ridden by Jim Root of Slipknot. You can bet your a$$ you’ll see this killer FXR in the pages of TORQUE very soon! I also caught up with the other OG’s in the FXR world like Joe Jurado, Darrell Huxsol, Nigel Kennedy, Tom Edison, and of course, John and Tom Jessup from the Dream Rides family.

Monday was another day in the life of a magazine editor… this time, it was the Hardcore Cycles Performance show put on by my co-host on TORQUE Performance Television, John O’Brien. I am always surprised at the sheer number of bikes at the “pop-up” shows in Sturgis. Monday was also the V-Twin Visionary Show in Deadwood. I haven’t found an effective way to clone myself yet, but I can tell you this; Jeff G’s shows are the archetype for the pop-up show, and they are all pro! The only solace I had in not being able to be in Deadwood was that I knew VTV was hosting a second show in Sturgis off of Main Street on Wednesday, so I was able to attend that.

Tuesday was a big day for TORQUE. This year Kurt

sturgis showtime

the lil' evil torque performance show at steel pony s it time for Sturgis again I yet? We always look forward to going to the Black Hills Rally. If you were there this year, you know that the 81st did not disappoint. The weather was perfect, the people were great, and the riding was some of the best the USA has to offer. One of the highlights and most talked about events this year was the release, and test rides of the new Harley

Davidson Sportster S. Nimble, compact size with a power-packed engine would be how I would describe it. Go find yours at your local Harley Davidson dealer and check them out. My favorite part of Sturgis is always the bike shows. From the VTV show to the

Dave Perewitz Paint Show and several in between, you can see everything from rolling art to fully Turbo’d baggers from

Nick Trask & Trask Industries. On August 10, 2021, The Torque

Performance Show was going down in Sturgis at the famous Steel Pony

Campground. If you missed it, you missed out! Some of the baddest bikes in Sturgis were found at this show. Next year, we predict an even bigger, better turnout than we had this year. This was the 5th year for the “The Original Lil Evil

Inkorpor8ted” Performance Bike Show while being the first to partner with us here at Torque Magazine. Baggers, Dynas, FXRs, Sportsters, and even an Indian were spotted at the show, showing off their amazing stylings, parts, customization, and paint.

Seen here in photos are just a few of our favorites from this year. Congratulations to the following people on their builds and awards: 1. Best FXR – Jack Reigelsperger 2. Best Dyna – Tony Jones 3. Best Sportster – Lauren Kendall 4. Best Bagger – Nowasky 5. Best Softail – Cody Brantley 6. Best Paint - Bill Rad 7. Editor’s Choice – Tom Keefer 8. Nothing Stock Cam’s Pick – notable companies stepped up to

Ramon Marrufo donate the prizes for this year’s event. A 9. Kurt’s Lil Evil Pick – Donnie Hill huge thanks to Dirty Customs, Purpose 10. Steel Pony Best In Show – Built, Dyno Guys, Hoffman Designs,

Donnie Hill John Jessup/Team Dream Rides, Arlen Ness, Lectric Lighting, S&S Cycle, and We were honored, and the award Sawicki Speed! This event wouldn’t have winners were stoked that so many been as good without all of you.

Article By: Nothing Stock Cam Photos By: Torque Staff Bad news if you missed it. The good news is we’ll be hosting the same event at The Steel Pony Campground in Sturgis 2022, so be sure and stay tuned for those dates. We plan on next year’s show to be bigger and better. You DO NOT want to miss it!

Peterson from Lil’ Evil Inkorpor8ed asked us to manage his show in hopes that he could step back a bit and enjoy his newfound retirement. The show count was up, and most show-goers found their way to the pool for a dip. Torque has the distinction of being the ONLY performance motorcycle show in Sturgis with a pool! The Lil' Evil Show is the first of its kind, the original “performance-only” show in Sturgis. Torque has big shoes to fill, but rest assured Kurt, still has his hand in the show’s success for the foreseeable future and will see to it that it stays true to its roots.

Tuesday night, the TORQUE Launch party went off without a hitch. I would like to take a moment to thank everyone that attended and send an extra special thanks to a few that helped make it happen. Curtis Hofmann and Sawicki Speed for donating killer prizes. To Jim Root and Xavier Muriel, two friends that make my job even cooler than it already was [is]. A big thank you to Nothing Stock Cam and all of the other staffers that helped make the first issue even happen. To my daughter Amanda and right-hand

man Shannon Parkey for being there after long workdays over at J&P Cycles. To Stretch and Kimmie Sanderlin and Chris and Heather Callen for making good on every single promise they have made up to [and since] the launch of TORQUE! I also need to thank Kerry and his staff at the Iron Horse Saloon for hosting our event. I hope you’ll have us back every year for an industry party to celebrate another great year of TORQUE.

Whew…we are only to Wednesday, and my fingers are tired! Wednesday is the Perewitz Paint Show at the Iron Horse Saloon. I go every year. Not only to support friends Dave and Jody but to see the best paint on the newest customs on the planet. If you are a painter and you aren’t at this show…what are you even doing? This is a storied accolade, and if you want the award, you gotta get on the dias! I cannot even think of a better award as a custom motorcycle painter than being recognized by one or both of the Perewitz. The V-Twin Visionary show in town was also on Wednesday, and the vendors and bikes there were killer! If you haven’t attended a VTV event, you need to. Just follow on the “Gram,” and you’ll see that VTV is likely coming to a town near you soon!

Thursday was a first for me. Chris and I took part in the Hamster luncheon, and the police escorted ride from Spearfish. The Hamsters donate a ton of time and money to charity. In fact, this year in Sturgis alone, the Hamsters and their friends raised $528,000 for local children’s charities and Meals on Wheels too! So when you see those yellow shirts…tip your hats!

On Friday, I did my best version of the “Abilene Adios” [I’ll have to explain later] and dipped out of town pretty early for what was supposed to be a comfortable 36-hour ride back to Florida in the motorcoach. What I got instead was a 50-hour [plus] ride in the front seat of the motorcoach with no generator for air conditioning, radio, or any other creature comforts I had become accustomed to on the ride to Sturgis two weeks prior. Oh well…I guess the glamorous life of a magazine editor will have to wait!