STOW, Ohio (Feb. 9, 2015) — Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels will be a supporting sponsor of the Bassmaster Elite Series and Opens Series fishing tournaments this year, along with the B.A.S.S. Nation and Bassmaster College Series.
“‘Prepare for Adventure' is not just a company slogan, it's a reflection of what fueled Dick Cepek's product innovation when he launched a small product line in 1958,” said Ken Warner, vice president of marketing for Dick Cepek Tires, “and it's still the energy behind every product we make.
“Dick's love of the outdoors as a true sportsman led to his development of truck tire and wheel products that really perform for outdoor enthusiasts — he wanted them to be the best. The Bassmaster organization and event competitors share that same spirit, and we're proud to expand our relationship with the organization and the anglers this year.”
Dick Cepek, a subsidiary of Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., will participate with a display exhibit at all Elite Series events and will provide contingency awards to Elite Series anglers, according to its agreement with B.A.S.S. L.L.C.
The company has also agreed to be the presenting sponsor for the fourth event of the 2015 Elite Series season. The Bassmaster Elite at Lake Havasu presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels will take place May 7-10, based in Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
As a returning Bassmaster sponsor, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels is offering a contingency for Elite Series competitors called the Dick Cepek Rolling Forward Award, B.A.S.S. said, which will award $1,000 to the angler who makes the largest gain in Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year points standings from tournament to tournament.
For a complete Bassmaster series schedule, visit its website.
Dick Cepek also announced it will be sponsoring four "elite anglers" for the series:
- Greg Hackney of Gonzales, La., “an impressive 138-tournament angler, counts four first place finishes, six second pPlace finishes and five third pPlace finishes among his 43 Top 10 finishes, 63 Top 20 finishes and 108 Top 50 finishes. In all, he's earned nearly $1.8 million in tournament awards,” Dick Cepek said.
- David Walker of Sevierville, Tenn., a 120-tournament angler, “counts one first place finish, two second place finishes and five third place finishes among his 22 Top 10 finishes, 43 Top 20 finishes and 82 Top 50 finishes earning nearly $780,000 in tournament awards.”
- J. Todd Tucker of Moultrie, Ga., a 103-tournament angler, “has secured seven Top 10 finishes, 20 Top 20 finishes and 57 Top 50 finishes earning more than $318,000 in tournament awards.”
- Cliff Pirch of Payson, Ariz., a 32-tournament angler, c counts two second place finishes among his five Top 10 finishes, 11 Top 20 finishes and 18 Top 50 finishes earning more than $213,000 in tournament awards.”