Rapid City, South Dakota – On Friday, July 11, Gas Monkey Sturgis held its inaugural event honoring a classic American muscle car. The Trans Am Takeover started with several classic Pontiacs lining the parking lot.
The car was famously featured in the 1977 film “Smokey and the Bandit” starring Burt Reynolds. Tribute actors dressed as characters from the film appeared to kick off their national tour.
To commemorate the new event, Sturgis Gas Monkey owner Richard Rawlings and star of the reality television show “Fast and Loud” purchased drinks for dozens of people. Rawlings believes that starting the festivities ahead of the 85th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally will give his company a competitive advantage.
“To be able to pregame like this a couple of weeks before, have our bar set up, have everybody ready to rock and roll, I’m way ahead of the guys over your shoulder still trying to put up a tent,” he said.
