Yamaha hosted the first-ever Rhino Rally customer appreciation event December 15 and 16, 2007, at the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area near Glamis, California.

The inaugural event drew crowds of Rhino owners and other ATV and Side-by-Side (SxS) enthusiasts, along with their families and friends, for a fun weekend that raised more than $3,200 for the American Sand Association (ASA).  During the event, Yamaha’s Parts and Accessories Department also raised funds for Feed The Children (www.feedthechildren.org), a charity Yamaha has worked with for more than 10 years, with a popular raffle that gave one lucky winner a free set of custom Rhino body work.

“The Rhino Rally was really about showing Rhino customers that we appreciate their business and their lifestyle – through the event itself as well as the money raised for the ASA during the event,” said Yamaha ATV/SxS Marketing Manager Steve Nessl.  “It was a way for Yamaha to give back to our Rhino faithful, and we have already received great feedback from people who enjoyed the event.  We are looking forward to the possibility of a second Rhino Rally sometime next year.”

The Rhino Rally featured a variety of activities throughout the two-day event.  Yamaha hosted a Rhino Run (a “poker run”-style event for Rhino drivers) with predetermined stops along the dunes; a Show-and-Shine that included some of the most tricked out Rhinos in Southern California; and official Yamaha Demo rides on the all-new Raptor 250 sport ATV and new Rhino 700 FI.  (For more information about Yamaha Demo rides go to www.yamahademos.com.)  The event also offered fun family activities such as a Rhino-themed arts area for kids and a Rhino drive-in movie on Saturday night.

The culminating event on Sunday was a very successful Glamis clean up effort, which encouraged Rhino Rally attendees to help pick up trash in and around the dunes.  Yamaha provided free trash bags, and more than 20 prizes were awarded to participants who gathered a significant amount of trash throughout the weekend.