Donnie Smith Custom Bike Show The 32nd annual Dennis Kirk Donnie Smith Bike Show Midwest Extravaganza will be staged at the Saint Paul River Center, St Paul, Minnesota, on Saturday March 23rd and Sunday March 24th.
More than just a (very good) custom bike show with a (also very good) cash prize fund and the imprimatur of an industry legend, the show features custom cars and bikes, a tattoo show, vendors from all across America, and a popular swap meet billed as “The Largest Parts Extravaganza on the Planet.”
The show has grown tremendously from its beginnings and weathered the downturn well to emerge as “the largest custom bike show in the Midwest.” Organizer Neil Ryan says that this year it will again comprise over 225,000 square feet of expo center indoor show space, with competition classes set to include custom Baggers, Choppers, retro Bobbers and custom Cruisers.
In related news, Flat Track racing is returning to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds for a second consecutive year, with The War of the Twins II being staged the evening before the show, Friday March 22, with sponsors including Lucas Oil and S&S Cycle.
For thirteen seasons, from 1968 to 1980, the Twin Cities was the spiritual home of authentic indoor flat track racing with the revered Minneapolis Armory hosting races “that filled the cold winter months with handlebar-to-handlebar, down-and-dirty race action. Over those years, hundreds of privateer racers found a home in which to compete. As one of the largest, most successful and longest-running flat track events, “The Indoors” put the sport on the map.
“We were thrilled with the attendance and incredible reaction to the races last year,” said Neil Ryan, promoter of the Donnie Smith Bike & Car Show. “Flat track has played into that American spirit of independence, competitiveness, and the need for speed, the elements that make this such a great partner sport for the Donnie Smith Bike & Car Show. I rarely see a home run in its first year like we experienced. We expect this event to continue to grow and provide thrilling racing action for years to come.”
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