The 80th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally gets underway in South Dakota this weekend, and the Renewable Fuels Association will be setting up once again at the legendary Buffalo Chip Campground to spread the good news about ethanol and motorcycles.
“We know things will look a little different at Sturgis this year, thanks to COVID, but one thing that remains the same is the fact that ethanol is a great fuel choice,” said RFA Vice President of Industry Relations Robert White. Despite COVID, the annual event is still expected to draw at least 250,000 bikers this year, about half its normal attendance.
RFA will again sponsor the 13th annual Legends Ride on Aug. 10 starting in downtown Deadwood, with White participating and actor Tom Berenger as the ride captain. On display will be the custom E-85 bike featured on an episode of “American Chopper,” as well as the RFA flex-fuel Jeep Wrangler, designed and built by Kenny Hauk and featured on the Amazon Prime series Hauk Machines.
As a special benefit for bikers, RFA will again host Free Fuel Happy Hours at the rally, providing a free tank of 93 octane E10 (10% ethanol) for motorcycles, a ceremonial t-shirt and ethanol-based hand sanitizer. The free tank giveaway will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Aug. 11-13, at the CrossRoads area of the Buffalo Chip Campground. The fuel station that will feature the Free Fuel Happy Hours was donated by the RFA in 2017. RFA will also have a presence throughout the campground with banners, videos on the jumbotrons, and addressing the concert crowd each night.
This will be the 12th rally for RFA’s White, who will be on hand during the Free Fuel Happy Hours to answer any questions as motorcycle riders fill up on the high-octane fuel. Several RFA members will also be in attendance to help educate riders about the numerous benefits of ethanol.
In this interview, White talks about why this promotion has been so successful for RFA, and what to expect this year.
Sturgis promotion interview with Robert White, RFA