Updates from Yamaha: GRANT and Sweepstakes

Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, today announced the first quarter 2015 GRANT (Guaranteeing Responsible Access to our Nation’s Trails) recipients from the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative. This quarter, more than $95,000 was contributed to eight projects supporting the program’s industry-leading dedication to safe, responsible riding and open sustainable access to land, trails and riding areas for OHV users.

“Recognizing OHV riders are also hunters, fishermen, campers, farmers and outdoor enthusiasts, Yamaha’s Outdoor Access Initiative has spent the past year investing in projects that directly benefit the public’s ability to access land for work and play,” said Mike Martinez, Yamaha’s ATV/SxS group Vice President. “The outdoor recreation community has responded well to the expanded platform of the GRANT program, submitting more thoughtful and well-designed projects that embrace and protect the diverse uses of public land; something we hope to see more of in the coming funding cycles.”

Funding was awarded by the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative to the following organizations:

· Androscoggin ATV Club, New Hampshire

· Beverhead-Deerlodge N.F – Butte Ranger District- Whitetail, Montana

· Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful, Nevada

· National FFA

· Wonders of Wildlife

· North County ATV, New Hampshire

· Tread Lightly!

· Washington County Board of Supervisors, Mississippi

Riding clubs, outdoor enthusiast associations, land managers and conservationists can find information about the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative at www.yamahaoutdooraccess.com. In addition to downloading and reviewing the GRANT guidelines for submission, visitors can submit an application with the required attachments directly to the online platform. Yamaha continues to seek qualified projects and applications at local, state and federal levels. The next deadline to submit a GRANT application is Tuesday, June 30, 2015.

About the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative

The Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative is the industry leader in Guaranteeing Responsible Access to our Nation’s Trails (GRANTs). Through this program, Yamaha has directly and indirectly supported thousands of miles of trails, maintained and rehabilitated countless riding areas, improved staging areas, built bridges over fish-bearing streams and partnered with local riding communities across the country to improve the OHV experience. Each quarter, Yamaha accepts applications from non-profit or tax-exempt organizations including OHV riding clubs and associations, national, state and local public land use agencies, outdoor enthusiast associations and land conservation groups with an interest in protecting, improving, expanding and/or maintaining access for safe, responsible and sustainable use by motorized off-road vehicles. A committee then reviews each application and awards GRANTs to deserving projects. Examples of appropriate projects for GRANTs include, but are not limited to:

· Trail development, restoration and maintenance

· Trail signage and map production

· Staging area construction, renovation and maintenance

· Land stewardship, safety and education

Updated guidelines, an application form and information on the Outdoor Access Initiative are available here. For specific questions about the Outdoor Access Initiative, call Yamaha’s dedicated hotline at 1-877-OHV-TRAIL (877-648-8724), email OHVAccess@yamaha-motor.com or write to:

Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative Review Committee

6555 Katella Avenue

Cypress, CA 90630-5101

Small Town, Big Deal

The Yamaha manufacturing facility in Newnan, Ga., is featured in a new episode of “Small Town, Big Deal,” one of the most popular and widely viewed shows airing on the RFD-TV network. Small Town, Big Deal is a weekly program that shines the spotlight on the innovative, interesting and historic things happening in small towns across America.

The show is co-hosted by Rodney Miller, a long-time leader in the agricultural machinery industry, and Jann Carl, former correspondent and anchor for ”Entertainment Tonight.” The episode featuring Newnan and Yamaha will first air on Thursday, June 11, at 8:30 p.m. Central Standard Time.

“We showcase real Americans and real communities doing remarkable things,” said Miller. “Newnan is a very historic and charming community, which makes it a great fit for Small Town, Big Deal. Yamaha is a big part of the community fabric and has had a tremendously positive impact on Newnan, not only from an economic standpoint, but also from a philanthropic standpoint. It was a thrill for us to visit Yamaha’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, talk to the employees and learn about some of the community-based programs Yamaha has brought to Newnan.”

Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC) is Yamaha’s worldwide hub of off-highway vehicle (OHV) manufacturing, where all of the company’s SxS and the majority of their ATV vehicles are produced for national and international distribution. The facility in Newnan covers 280 acres with more than 1.3 million square feet of manufacturing facilities and has approximately 1,473 employees.

“Yamaha has invested more than $250 million into U.S. manufacturing over the past 15 years, creating a world-class facility in Newnan,” said Mike Chrzanowski, executive vice president of YMMC. “Whether it be ATV or Side-by-Side vehicles, Golf Cars or Personal Watercraft, Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation strives to maintain the highest production quality and environmental standards, while giving back to the community through comprehensive corporate social responsibility programs.”

Yamaha Small Town, Big Deal Sweepstakes

Yamaha is also partnering with Small Town, Big Deal for an online sweepstakes in which eligible participants can enter for a chance to win a brand new 2015 Viking EPS Side-by-Side with an approximate retail value of $12,999.

“We’ve created this sweepstakes in partnership with Small Town, Big Deal to show our support for all the great people, places and communities across the U.S that Rodney and Jann are showcasing every week,” said Steve Nessl, ATV/SxS marketing manager, Yamaha Motor Corporation. “Small Town, Big Deal is a fun program that’s also very interesting and a great format that specifically spotlights all of the wonderful small communities like Newnan that are really the backbone of America.”

The sweepstakes is open now through August 27th and no purchase is necessary to enter. The winner will be determined by random drawing. Complete rules, entry details and additional information are available by visiting http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/outdoor/campaign/smalltownsweepstakes.

The Small Town, Big Deal episode featuring Newnan, first airing on June 11th at 8:30 p.m. Central Standard Time, can be seen on the cable network RFD-TV, Direct TV channel 345, Dish TV channel 231 and U-verse channel 56.

Follow Yamaha at www.Facebook.com/YamahaOutdoors, www.Twitter.com/YamahaOutdoors, and www.Instagram.com/YamahaOutdoors

About Yamaha Motor Corp., USA

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, (YMUS) a leader in the motorsports market, makes the toughest, most capable and versatile ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings also include motorcycles, outboard motors, personal watercraft, snowmobiles, boats, outdoor power equipment, accessories, apparel and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of dealers in the United States.

Headquartered in Cypress, Calif., since its incorporation in 1976, Yamaha also has facilities in Wisconsin and Georgia, as well as factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. For more information on Yamaha, visit www.yamahamotorsports.com