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Sturgis Motorcycle Rally 2021: Meet Jody Perewitz, Grand Marshal of the 81st Annual Event

Who better to kick off the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally of 2021 than the biker legend and daughter of the “King of Flames,” Jody Perewitz?

This year, Perewitz graces the Rally not only as a respected rider but as the Grand Marshal of the entire event. Only the second-ever female Grand Marshal, Perewitz, commonly called the “fastest woman on two wheels” follows the late Jessi Combs, otherwise known as the “fastest woman on four wheels.” Combs acted as the Grand Marshal for the 2017 Sturgis Rally, just two years before her untimely death. While Combs broke race records in cars, Perewitz mirrors her dedication to speed on motorcycles. To date, Perewitz holds 15 Land Speed records and one World Record.

Growing up, Perewitz was never a stranger to the ways of the road. She frequently spent time in her father’s world-renowned bike-building shop in Brockton, Massachusetts. Now, as the leading woman in motorsports, the 2021 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Grand Marshal works for Cycle Fab as the marketing head. However, like her father, she dabbles in bike-building whenever she can.

In celebration of their new 2021 Grand Marshal, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally posted a photo of Perewitz with her commemorative brick in hand. In the caption, they announced that they “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” Perewitz as this year’s GM.

2020 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Grand Marshal Dishes About the Family Business

It wouldn’t surprise us if 2020 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Grand Marshal learned how to ride before she learned how to walk. Of course, with legendary bike builder Dave Perewitz as her father, she could also probably name all the parts of a bike before she knew her ABCs. Dramatic? Maybe. But it’s not too far of a stretch from how embedded motorcycles are into the Perewitz bloodline.

“Sometimes I think I was born on two wheels,” Perewitz said in a 2018 interview. “Motorcycles are a part of my family business so I have always been around two wheels.”

However, contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t the Grand Marshal’s father that initially inspired her need for speed.

“It was really my older brother Jesse who got me into bikes,” the 2020 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally GM said. “Whatever Jesse did, I wanted to do. I have always loved two wheels and machines! I truly eat, sleep, and breathe two wheels.”

Despite the fact that he didn’t catalyze her first ride, Perewitz’s dad is now her inspiration when she’s on the pavement.

“[My dad] has a passion for two wheels,” Perewitz shared. “To be able to say you have been in the same industry for over 40 years and you haven’t become a millionaire (at least not yet) and don’t have a retirement, but you still come to work every day, that’s an inspiration.”