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It would be hard to overstate how cool this little machine is. It's a true piece of UTV racing history, it's unbelievably clean, and we can almost guarantee that you'll never come across another one. We have it listed as a 2005, but that's just a best guess based on photos we've found and when Rhino 700s were popular for more than just farm chores.
It's a full custom build by Jeff Palhegyi designs, from the chassis to the suspension and race buggy bodywork. The seller has posted it around Facebook over the last few years seeking as much history as he can find, to little avail. The rig was built for a young racer named Cole Dean, and clearly no expense was spared. What became of young Cole's racing career isn't clear, but whatever happened, this rig isn't your typical hammered, used up old race car.
It has been garaged in a climate controlled building for the last few years of its life, and apparently has seen very little use. The odometer shows 659 miles, and the SFI harnesses were manufactured in 2009, and would likely need to be replaced to be legal for competition. I'm not sure what class this thing could run in at this point, so it's probably best as a wild collector piece, or a very cool lightweight ripper for aspiring racers. The story and build list are bananas, and we're going to re-post the seller's description in full below.
Reserve on this beast is super reasonable for a build this unusual and extensive. It should go without saying that you're not gonna be able to replicate the build for anywhere close to the reserve price.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Bill of Sale
659 miles
Jeff Palhegyi designs build
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Full custom chassis with integrated cage
Yamaha Rhino 700 engine and transmission
Custom geometry Bilstein/Fox coilover suspension
Beadlock wheels/Maxxis Bighorn 27-inch tires
Beard racing seats, Crow harnesses
Baja Designs lights
Stored in climate controlled garage
FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH
"Custom Yamaha Rhino race UTV built by Jeff Palhegyi Design. This is a professionally fabricated, purpose-built race vehicle and not a bolt-on or recreational conversion. It is a one-off build originally known as “Cole’s Custom Race Rhino,” and retains its period-correct race configuration and graphics. Always stored in a climate controlled garage.
The chassis is a full custom tube frame with an integrated roll cage, aluminum wheel well liners, including front bash plate and underbody protection. The roof is a flip-top design to allow easy entry and exit, a common solution on youth and short-course race builds. The roof panel has a small cosmetic crease, and the body shows minor scrapes and paint wear consistent with age and light competition use.
Suspension consists of Bilstein coilovers up front and FOX coilovers in the rear, paired with long-travel arms and race-style geometry. It rides on beadlock wheels with a staggered tire setup using Maxxis Bighorn AT27x9R12 fronts and AT26x12R12 rears.
The drivetrain is Yamaha Rhino 700–based with a CVT transmission. 659 miles displayed on the digital center gauge. The fuel system uses an aftermarket rear-mounted tank. Cooling is handled by a rear-mounted PWR aluminum radiator.
Interior features include Beard racing seats, 5-point Crow harnesses manufactured in November 2009, a quick-release steering wheel, and both driver and passenger mirrors. The dash has analog water temperature and oil pressure gauges, and multiple auxiliary switches. A race intercom system is installed with an auxiliary speaker mounted under the passenger-side dash. Baja Designs Sol-Tek lights mounted front and on the roof, along with a rear brake light.
Overall condition is clean and complete, with no visible structural damage to the chassis, suspension, or cage. This is a rare, old-school Rhino race build that would be well suited for a collector, display, vintage off-road events, or recommissioning by an enthusiast who appreciates a professionally built UTV." – Brian Haase
NOBODY'S PERFECT
As clean as this race build is, it is still a race build. There are a few bumps on the bodywork and a visible crease in the roof panel.
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