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RV: The Makeover; Makeover Craze Meets RV Surge

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., April 6 -- Reality TV continues to gain momentum each year with new twists and attempts to grab audience share. Some of the most popular types of reality TV shows are makeover-featured ones where people, homes, relationships, cars, etc. are given a new look and life.

With RV ownership reaching record levels, nearly one in 12 vehicle-owning households now owns an RV, according to a 2005 University of Michigan study, it seemed a perfect fit to makeover an RV. While sales of new RVs have remained steady over recent years, there are some die-hard RVers who insist on holding on to their "not-so-new-but-reliable" recreational vehicles.

Enter The Rally. The annual event hosts about 10,000 RVers, and this year will be no exception. Slated for April 7-10 at Daytona International Speedway, the 4-day event is a gathering of RV enthusiasts from across North America. The focus of The Rally is to educate RV owners about the lifestyle with the latest information and product offerings. An added bonus to The Rally is the fun, family-friendly atmosphere and the unique entertainment offerings such as the Dog Show, Ballroom Dancing Competition, Oreo Cookie Stacking Contest and for the first time, RV Rescue.

Sponsored by Dometic, RV Rescue will give Rally-goers the opportunity to witness the refurbishing of a 1984 motorhome from bumper and roof to floor. Chosen from among 3,000 entries in the contest to win the makeover, Ed and Barbara Tarconish submitted the winning videotape of how and why their RV was in need of being "rescued". Construction will begin on April 7 and continue 24 hours a day in order to unveil the final product by the end of The Rally. A film crew from RVtoday will be on hand to capture the "rescue" from start to finish with the event being broadcast in two segments on Outdoor Life Network in June 2006. An estimated $50,000 worth of upgrades will be completed by technicians working round the clock in the Fan Zone at the Speedway.

Rally attendees will also be able to view RV Rescue on video monitors. For those unable to attend, but interested in watching the makeover, tune in to the live webcast at http://www.thervrescue.com/ . During the day, there will be a live video feed from inside the motorhome. The interior feed will be supplemented by two exterior views. Updated reports, archived video footage and still photos can also be viewed on the website.

The Good Sam Club, Camping World President's Club, Coast to Coast Resorts, Woodall's and MotorHome and Trailer Life magazines host The Rally.

For more information regarding The Rally 2006, visit http://www.therally.com/ .