STURGIS, S.D. – The city of Sturgis may owe money to pay expenses from the 2024 Spirit of Sturgis TT race, but a possible total dollar amount is still to be determined.
City officials and representatives of the American Flat Track-Events confirmed to the Black Hills Pioneer Newspaper that they have been discussing shared expenses for the 2024 street race since January.
The race, which ran downtown Sturgis last August, was a controversial topic in Sturgis at first, when it appeared the city would share in the cost of hosting the race.
The initial contract was sent to a public vote and citizens voted overwhelmingly to nullify the contract.
Determined to hold the race, AFT Head of Sales Cameron Gray and Chief Executive Officer Gene Crouch offered a new contract that represented a no-risk deal for the taxpayers, since expenses would be paid out of race sponsorships.
But the race lost money, according to AFT officials. While officials did not say exactly how much the race lost, Gray estimated total expenses between $500,000 to $700,000.
Sturgis Mayor Kevin Forrester said during recent meetings with the AFT to reconcile shared expenses, he pushed for an itemized expense list for the race, which he said he has not yet received.
Sturgis City Attorney Eric Davis gave an update to councilors at the Monday night council meeting.
Davis told council members there is a possibility the race could change venues.
Davis says the council is facing two separate policy considerations…
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Davis says he is working with City Administrator Aaron Jordan and Mayor Kevin Forrester to get answers to these questions.
