How a custom automotive icon turned to IDIS surveillance cameras for crystal-clear remote monitoring, streamlined operations and security without compromise, by Kristen Plitt, Vice President Marketing, IDIS Americas.
When Richard Rawlings launched Gas Monkey Garage, it was never going to be just another custom car shop.
With the roar of engines, chrome gleaming under shop lights and the fast-paced drama of Discovery Channel’s Fast N’ Loud, the Dallas-based operation became a global name in custom automotive culture.
But Rawlings has never been one to idle in neutral.
His latest venture, Gas Monkey Sturgis, roars into an entirely new lane – a sprawling restaurant and bar set right in the heart of Sturgis, South Dakota.
It’s a prime location for the legendary Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, where every summer, hundreds of thousands of bikers descend on the town for one of the largest motorcycle gatherings in the world.
The new venue is a celebration of everything Gas Monkey stands for – good food, great drinks, live entertainment and an unmistakable energy.
And its launch came with perfect timing: the surveillance system was fully operational just in time for the Sturgis Rally in August 2025, ready to handle the most demanding crowd of the year.
For the Sturgis location, Rawlings and his team faced an unusually complex operational puzzle.
The venue needed full visibility over its interior and exterior, including expansive parking areas, crowded bars and entry points – all while enabling real-time oversight from Gas Monkey’s headquarters in Dallas.
And there was no time to waste. The countdown was on: three months to complete the system design, installation and testing before the grand opening.
That meant no delays, no compromise on quality and no gaps in surveillance coverage – especially with the annual rally looming, when crowds swell and every second of operational awareness matters.
KB Technologies, Gas Monkey’s trusted systems integrator, recommended an end-to-end surveillance solution from IDIS Americas.
By choosing a single-manufacturer platform, Gas Monkey gained a “one company, one solution” advantage: surveillance cameras, recorders, video management software (VMS) and analytics all seamlessly integrated.
This approach meant no licensing headaches, lower ongoing costs and simple expansion options for the future.
The Sturgis installation was built around IDIS AI-powered surveillance cameras engineered for clarity and reliability, even in challenging light conditions.
These surveillance cameras delivered high-definition imaging, advanced low-light performance and built-in analytics for proactive monitoring and rapid response.
Paired with IDIS DirectIP network video recorders (NVRs), the system benefited from plug-and-play connectivity, robust cybersecurity and effortless scalability.
The deployment included the ISS (IDIS Solution Suite), providing an intuitive, centralized VMS platform that ties together live viewing, playback, event monitoring and remote access for management in Dallas.
The fully unified setup ensures that every component – from camera to recorder to software – works seamlessly together, delivering maximum performance with minimum complexity.
The timeline was tight, but coordination between KB Technologies and IDIS kept the project firmly on track.
Site surveys determined precise camera placement, installers worked around the venue’s remodeling schedule and much of the system configuration was completed remotely to save valuable on-site time.
By the time the rally rolled into town in August 2025, Gas Monkey Sturgis was fully secured.
With tens of thousands of visitors flooding through the doors during the week-long celebration, the new surveillance system was tested under peak conditions from day one – and passed with flying colors.
Today, the IDIS surveillance solution is far more than a security measure – it’s a management tool. Staff can now monitor crowd flow, keep an eye on service areas and review incidents without delay.
The combination of IDIS AI cameras, DirectIP NVRs and the ISS VMS means Dallas-based managers can instantly pull up footage, search recorded video in seconds and oversee operations as if they were on-site.
For Rawlings, the results speak for themselves: “Let me tell you, the IDIS system at Gas Monkey Sturgis is badass! Crystal-clear video, remote access and top-notch security, this setup has been a total game-changer for us.
“When you’ve got thousands of people rolling through during the Sturgis Rally, you need eyes on everything and IDIS delivers.
“It’s helped us keep things locked down and running smoothly, making sure the party never stops. If you’re serious about security, this is the way to go!”
The Gas Monkey case isn’t just a story about a famous brand’s security upgrade – it’s a showcase for what businesses across industries want in a surveillance system.
This includes lower total cost of ownership, with no hidden fees, integrated, single-vendor solutions that simplify support and expansion, scalable systems that grow with the business and proven reliability in high-pressure environments.
For Gas Monkey Garage, those benefits mean they can focus on delivering an unforgettable experience to their customers – whether in Dallas, Sturgis or wherever the next venture takes them – knowing IDIS has security covered.
With Gas Monkey’s continued expansion, IDIS technology will be along for the ride.
The Sturgis installation sets the foundation for future venues, offering a blueprint for high-quality, remote-managed security that blends seamlessly with day-to-day operations.
For IDIS Americas, the partnership proves that when a customer’s vision meets the right technology, the results can be as impressive as a perfectly restored muscle car: powerful, polished and built to last.
Kristen Plitt is Vice President of Marketing at IDIS Americas.
With over 15 years in the security industry, she is passionate about creating exceptional customer experiences that strengthen brand loyalty and drive measurable growth.
Kristen leads strategic marketing, brand positioning and partner engagement initiatives across the Americas, connecting innovative AI-powered video analytics and integrated security platforms with the real-world needs of end users, integrators and channel partners.
This article was originally published in the September edition of Security Journal Americas. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.