TIREMAX of North America, known for its upscale tire and wheel stores, today announced its four member angling team set to compete in the Professional Anglers Association Series, Bassmaster Southern Open and FLW Stren tournaments in 2009.
Fishing for Team TIREMAX will be pros Chris Wilkerson, Andy Gaia, Ricky Guy and Tony Murray.
The announcement comes on the heels of Gaia’s 2008 Top Ten finish at the Bassmaster’s Central Open event on Lake Texoma tournament. Gaia, a 45-year-old from Tomball, has been a pro angler for 13 years. He is one of the most accomplished anglers using his Kistler rods. Gaia will represent TIREMAX from his Ranger boat running a Yamaha engine.
“It’s honor to be back on the trail again this year,” said Chris Wilkerson. “We are especially thrilled to announce this winning team and know this is going to be a successful season for all of us, both in the boat and in the store.”
Pro Chris Wilkerson of The Woodlands, TX, has six years experience fishing professional and is a Texas lake expert. A few of his notable accomplishments include winning the 2008 AnglersQuest Angler of the year, one tournament win and eight top ten finishes on the FLW tournament trail. Wilkerson also set a new record on the LCHH tournament trail catching 3 fish weighing in at 22.98lbs. Falcon Rods Expert Series will be the rod of choice for Wilkerson throughout the tournament trail in 2009. He will run for team TIREMAX the new 09 Basscat Cougar FTD with the new 250 Evinrude E-TEC H.O. engine.
Pro Ricky Guy a Humble, TX resident is no stranger to the tournament trail. Since 2003, Guy has fished more than 26 events. In 2008, Guy was also named 2008 Angers Quest Angler of the year. He is quite proud of his 2007 largest day’s catch weighing in at 25 lbs, 3 oz, at the Stren Series on Lake Amistad, TX. The secret to Guy’s success is his American Rodsmiths rods. Guy will be fishing out of a 09 BassCat Cougar FTD and will run the new 250 Evinrude E-TEC H.O. engine.
Pro Tony Murray, the newest member to the TIREMAX team, is a 26-year-old from Porter, TX. Murray says the new Basscat Cougar FTD is an excellent fishing platform with a great ride, speed and safety. “A lot of people ask me what’s the secret to catching fish,” said Murray. “I always explain it’s more important to choose a rod that works properly. That’s why I fish with American Rodsmiths rods. It’s all a matter of accurate casts and one that casts quickly.” Murray will fish out of a 09 BassCat CougarFTD and will run a Mercury 250 Pro/XS engine.
All Team TIREMAX boats are serviced by Bowden Marine, who has more than 100 years combined experience in all aspects of marine service and repairs.
“Fresh water fishing is the perfect sport for our company,” Wilkerson said. “What our team does in the water, we do in our stores: we all do one thing and do it well. And we do it to win the hearts of our fans. We expect the 2009 season to be exciting and look forward to seeing our team’s strategy to reel in the fish they need to affect their wins.”
Since its inception in 2000, TIREMAX has carved a niche for itself by concentrating exclusively on offering name brand tires installed in 30 minutes or less with a 110-percent lowest price guarantee on every tire sold. Its technicians are manufacturer pro-certified and have completed TIREMAX’s own training program. Each sale also comes with free rotation, free balancing and free repair for the life of the tire.
The privately held Texas-based company is a leading retailer in tires and wheels. The company’s retail strategy revolves around creating an impressive customer experience by satisfying what TIREMAX identifies as a tire buyer’s five greatest tire purchase concerns: safety, speed, choice, value and expertise. As part of the Christian-based company’s mission to sell integrity, not just tires, TIREMAX stores are designed to rival most upscale restaurants in cleanliness, comfort and exceptional service. Of the many distinguishing practices, TIREMAX chooses a “Closed-on-Sunday” policy to allow employees a day to attend the church of their choice and for family, fellowship and friends.
