EVANSTON — After the owners of Basecamp decided to close the doors for that Evanston business, Tim Ray and Addicted Power Sports partner, local veterinarian Sam Nelson, purchased all of the Polaris stock and Lynx snowmobiles to add to their inventory of Kawasaki, Yamaha, Ski-Doo and Can-Am. Ray and his son, Gunner, manage the sports store located at 127 Bear River Dr.
Ray and Nelson bought the retail business in December of 2021. Ray grew up in Evanston and after high school he lived in Ogden, Utah, for some time, moving back to Evanston in 2011. While in Ogden, he worked with power sports in the Newgate Mall and at ADS Power Sports. After moving back to Evanston, Ray worked in the oilfield for 11 years until he and Nelson purchased Cycle City and later purchased a second adjacent building.
“We plan to grow and expand,” Ray said. “We sponsor lots of local events: the rodeo series, the Monster Truck Rally in May; poker runs and more. I am on the SWOT (Southwest Wyoming Off-road Trails) board of directors. Harley Fearn has given us permission to use his access this summer for a poker run that will start here at the shop.”
The Herald asked Gunner what the best thing about working with his father is.
“I like building the business with him. I lived in Utah for a year after graduating from high school but after moving back here I’ve worked for Dad ever since. I like it.”
Ray said, “I really like being able to spend time with my son every day. I like teaching him the business and maybe someday he will take it over.”
Ray said the business gets a lot of buyers from the Wasatch Front and currently the biggest market is for side by sides.
