Tennessee Dealership pitches in for Tornado Victims

UTV Driver loves to cover new model releases and broad industry trends. But it’s always special covering stuff in our Knoxville, Tennessee, backyard. Local powersports dealer Xtreme SXS Powersports, based in Lafollette, Tennessee, recently held a benefit ride for the deadly tornados that hit the London and Somerset, Kentucky, region May 16.

If you’ve traveled I-75 around the Kentucky-Tennessee border recently, you’ve seen firsthand the devastation. Over 800 homes were obliterated and 19 people died from an EF-4 tornado (170 mph) that basically wiped the earth clean of houses, trees and anything standing in its way. It’s hard to comprehend the sheer force involved.

John and Angie Gultice, husband-and-wife owners of Xtreme SXS Powersports, quickly organized a benefit ride and raffle June 7 to generate money to donate to the victims of the London and Somerset tornados. Prizes ranged from $100 off a Polaris RZR rental from Ridewell ATV/UTV Campground, $500 from Tennessee Customs, $800 from Rogers Bros. Detailing and four free service visits from Xtreme SXS Powersports themselves. Plus there was a two-night threeday stay at Big 3 Cabins, a 32-piece ratcheting bit set and other goodies from MAC Tools, meals from local restaurant El Charro, a gift card from Smith Ace Hardware, and well, the list goes on and on.

It was a tremendous outpouring of support from the community that really shows the spirit of Appalachia. As a rule, we generally don’t use external links in our news, but if the spirit moves you, check out some of the fine sponsors mentioned above and consider doing business with them. A full list of the sponsors are available in this post announcing the winners of the raffle.

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