Rhino Outdoor International (ROI) announced it has acquired YamaBuggy Sales and Distribution through a share exchange agreement. According to a company spokesperson, YamaBuggy is the exclusive North American distributor for its side-by-side offroad buggy that is said to combine rugged construction, a bold look and superior performance. “The vehicle is powered by a proven 23 hp, four stroke, 400cc engine that is designed and manufactured by the Yamaha JV factory,” they said, adding, “Over 300 YamaBuggies have been sold through a nationwide dealer network in 2007.” ROI CEO and President Howard Pearl stated, “This is a major step in our strategic plan to develop products and services that appeal to the growing market of outdoor oriented consumers.”

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has ordered the recall of 5,400 Gator brand utility vehicles produced by Deere & Co., reported an online news site. The site explained the recall involved the XUV 620i Gas, XUV 850 Diesel, HPX 4x4 Diesel and HPX 4x4 Gas UTVs sold by Deere dealers between June 2007 and September 2007 for between $8,500-$10,600. The recall was reportedly issued because the brake calipers in the front of the vehicles might have been installed incorrectly, which could cause the vehicle to pull to one side during braking. “This poses an injury hazard to consumers, although no incidents have been reported to the CPSC at this time,” added the site.

The Off-Road Business Association’s (ORBA) Meg Grossglass reported that Governor Schwarzenegger has signed S.B.742 into law, which will allow for the reformation of the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) program and will extend the date it is scheduled to sunset for ten years. “The OHMVR program has been a source of contention for offroaders and environmentalists alike,” said Grossglass. She continued by saying, a recent audit of the program’s management found a lack of commitment to fulfilling its mission and during the last grant cycle the OHMVR Commission only approved $365,000 of the $18 million available for on the ground maintenance of trails. “The OHMVR program has historically gone to great lengths to manage its OHV areas in an ecologically balanced manner,” Grossglass explained, adding, “This bill continues that tradition, while at the same time providing the needed funding for maintaining the existing OHV areas in the state.” The OHMVR Commission now has an advisory role instead of its previously held majority role of the funding power, while its membership has been expanded from seven to nine members, Grossglass told us. “The two additions are to be appointed by the Governor and will require Senate confirmation. Grant funding decisions will now be made by the OHMVR division,” she concluded.

In a new lawsuit, the State of Wyoming is seeking to have the Court reinstate its 2003 ruling declaring the 2001 Roadless Rule illegal, reported the BlueRibbon Coalition’s Paul Turcke. He explained a number of recreational groups have joined together to protect recreational access to the approximately 60 million acres of ‘roadless areas’ potentially affected by the Rule. “The groups, who include the California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs, United Four Wheel Drive Association, the American Council of Snowmobile Associations and the BlueRibbon Coalition, have been involved in a series of roadless lawsuits including several in the US Districts of Idaho and Northern California and appeals court proceedings in the Ninth and Tenth Circuits,” he told us, adding, in this case these recreational groups are supporting Wyoming’s position and are seeking to have an injunction issued preventing the Forest Service from implementing the 2001 Rule. Turcke concluded by saying that after almost six hours of argument, the Wyoming Court took the matter under advisement and, pending any decision from the Court, the 2001 Rule will technically remain the operative strategy for managing ‘roadless’ lands by virtue of the California decision.

Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, would like to congratulate Bill Balance for his winning a record eighth consecutive Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) XC1 Pro ATV championship in Crawfordsville, IN, stated spokesperson Van Holmes. “Yamaha couldn’t be more proud to be a part of Bill’s record setting eighth straight GNCC championship,” said Steve Nessel, Yamaha ATV/SxS marketing manager. He added, “Bill is a fierce competitor, a true champion and a role model for ATV racers everywhere. The fact that the YFZ 450 is the ATV he chose to help him on his record-setting run is a testament to the machine’s extreme level of performance and reliability.”