The cargo box on Doug Sopha’s 3400 utility vehicle is a convenient location to transport feed for his many animals. He’s shown here feeding his miniature donkeys.


In addition to selling tires, Sopha kept up with his passion for racing.


“The bread and butter of the racing circuit is the short tracks — the weekly races — and that’s where our business was,” he says. “I owned a couple of racetracks and currently have just one left, in a city west of here called Crossville.”


He says racing is in his roots and is a favorite pastime for many people on Friday or Saturday nights.


No race car, but it gets the job done


As the owner of racetracks in the Knoxville, Tenn., area, Sopha often looked for new ways to draw people in to the weekly races. He partnered with


the local Bobcat dealer — Bobcat of Knoxville — to help them showcase their compact equipment and encourage more people to attend the races. It was through this marketing initiative that he got to know the dealership owner and sales team well.


“There aren’t many people like the employees at Bobcat of Knoxville,” he says. “They’re very accommodating and service-oriented. They do a great job from the fi rst time you step into their dealership.”


Sopha’s relationship with the dealer led him to purchase a new Bobcat®


3400


utility vehicle. Its primary purpose is to help him maintain his property.


“The Bobcat utility vehicle is tough,” he says. “I drive it through the woods, climb over trees and rocks, and it’s


continued on the next page EARLY FALL 2011 | WorkSaver Homeowner with Acreage 17


Great Smoky Mountain National Park


It’s no wonder Doug Sopha enjoys where he lives. Great Smoky Mountain National Park is a treasure for any outdoor enthusiast. Visitors can expect to see a variety of wildlife, including bears. According to the park’s website, more than 1,500 bears live in the park. And for those who like to hike, the website says the park has 800 miles of trails to accommodate beginners up to seasoned outdoor experts. Learn more by visiting the website at www.nps.gov/grsm/


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