WASHINGTON — The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) will once again partner with the Buffalo Chip Campground to host the 75th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which is set to take place Aug. 3–9 in Sturgis, South Dakota. This year's event hopes to set attendance records, with more than 1.5 million bikers expected to make the trek to Sturgis. Similar to years past, the event offers a unique opportunity to promote the benefits of high-octane, low-cost ethanol to the motorcycling community. RFA educational and promotional materials will be prominently displayed at the rally. Throughout the day and during the night-time concerts, jumbotrons will display commercials about ethanol. RFA banners will be visible at various locations on the event grounds. The Free Fuel Happy Hours promotion will be back for the rally's diamond anniversary. RFA will once again offer motorcycle riders a free tank of E10 93-octane fuel. The fuel is brought in specifically for the rally, and riders can receive their free tank from 1–4 p.m. every day from Sunday Aug. 2 through Thursday Aug. 6. All riders participating in the Free Fuel Happy Hours must present a Buffalo Chip waistband. RFA's Vice President of Industry Relations, Robert White, will be on hand to answer any questions as motorcycle riders fill up on the high-octane fuel. White, who is a seven-year veteran of the rally, will ride his flex-fuel Harley during the week to promote the benefits of ethanol. "It's always exciting to be back at the Legendary Buffalo Chip. This is a motorcycle rider's playground, and we want to make sure that everyone who comes in doesn't leave without knowing all the fueling options available to them for their motorcycles and their other engines back home," said White. "E10 is a safe and reliable fuel blend that millions of motorcycle riders use every day and it's covered under warranty by every major motorcycle manufacturer in the market. There has been a great deal of misinformation about what fuel blends riders can use and how to identify them. We are choosing to educate motorcycle riders, rather than engaging in scare tactics, and we hope that everyone at the rally will take advantage of this unique opportunity for a free tank of fuel and for a chance to discuss the realities of ethanol." Attendees can also look forward to the eighth annual Legends Ride, which will take place on Monday Aug. 3 and benefits local charities in South Dakota's Black Hills. The Legends Ride has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in its short history. "We are once again proud to have the RFA as part of the Chip family," said Rod Woodruff of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip. "My '99 Low Rider has run on nothing but E10. I'll be right in line every day during the RFA's Free Fuel Happy Hours to top off my tank. There's nowhere else to get it and I love the way that 93-octane fuel adds a little more 'zest' to my ride. Thank you, RFA." The action begins Aug. 2. Follow Robert White on Twitter at @fuelinggood for live updates.
