EVENT: 2021 NORTHWEST RAPTOR RALLY

Not just for Raptors By Juli Moore/www.dirtndunez.com

A favorite pastime at the Northwest Raptor Rally is “hill-shooting” to see which machine is quickest. It isn’t all Raptors or even Yamahas. This run is two Raptors, two Banshees and a lone TRX450R.

On the Oregon dunes each year a thunder can be heard as the annual Northwest Raptor Rally takes place in Winchester Bay, Oregon. The dunes are filled with Yamaha Raptors from mild to wild for a weekend of family-friendly events. Don’t let the name fool you, everyone is welcome at Northwest Raptor Rally. It doesn’t matter what you ride or drive.

It’s really hard to put a finger on everything that happens at Raptor Rally. It is one part family campout, one part vendor ride. The place is filled with the who’s who on the West Coast in the ATV world. Many attendees and shops gather for their chance to compete against the best this sport has to offer. Every year builders from all over bring custom bikes to enter in the show and shine and to run up the hill in a show of speed and horsepower.

Serious Banshees run a complete drag chassis that is super light. In addition to the light chassis, the 350cc Banshee engines are bumped up to as large as 500cc and over 100 horsepower.

Other rally activities included group rides. As you can see, the groups can be mixed with ATVs and UTVs riding together.

IN THE BEGINNING

This great event was started in hopes of bringing like-minded Yamaha Raptor owners together for a weekend of friends, food and fun. Over the years, the Northwest Raptor Rally has grown into a fun-filled weekend with sand families coming together to play in the dunes.

This year’s events included a group photo, show and shine, ATC 70 races, poker run, group ride, RC car races and an egg hunt for the kids. The eggs were filled with raffle tickets and prizes.

The grand finale of the weekend was a large group dinner and raffle. They encouraged everyone to bring a lawn chair and make themselves at home in the group camp area while eagerly waiting for their lucky number to be called. There were over $10,000 in prizes to be raffled off. Prizes included a brand-new Yamaha Raptor 90 and tons of donations from sponsors. There were items such as custom wheels, swingarms, shocks, exhaust systems and dyno time up for grabs.

One of the scheduled Northwest Raptor Rally events was this gathering for an all-rally group photo. This wasn’t everyone but those who could be pried away from other dune activities.

Anaheim, California’s Edgar Conchas won the Duner Modified Unlimited class in the show and shine competition. Show and shine draws a lot of eager fans to see the clean machines.

Entries in the show and shine contest can be brand new or machines from the 1970s or 1980s. This ATC 250R is a beauty.

Banshees are big in the Northwest, and they can be beauties like this one or simple stockers. All are ready for fun in the sand running up Banshee Hill like this one.

Honda’s eternal ATC 70 was a hit in the 1970s, and the fun factor has never faded. The Raptor Rally has ATC 70 races.

Attendees bring beach chairs to relax and listen carefully for their name to be called during the awards ceremony. The giveaway had $10,000 in cash and prizes.

OVERVIEW

With a variety of camping options, from dry camping and sand camping all the way up to full hookups and kicking back in several local hotels and rentals, the accommodation options are endless. From most of the places to camp, you can ride directly from your camp to the events.

The dunes in Winchester Bay, Oregon, are known for the world-famous Dunefest event. Dunefest is also a sponsor of NW Raptor Rally. If s’mores with the family around the campfire and shredding the dunes sound like your thing, then make sure to bring the entire clan to next year’s Northwest Raptor Rally.

Check out the Northwest Raptor Rally’s Facebook page. Next year’s dates are scheduled for May 12–15, 2022.

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