Cliff Pirch had a difficult trip to Florida recently, where he finished 95th in the Bassmaster Elite Series event at Lake Okeechobee. Then things got worse on his way home to Arizona.
First his truck threw a belt, which caused some engine damage and cost him a day while it was being repaired. Then, while traveling on Interstate 10 through El Paso, Texas, an accident occurred in front of him. He slowed down and avoided getting into a pile-up, but a driver behind him didn't and ended up ramming Pirch's boat motor at about 60 mph.
"I started thinking, man, it just wasn't my week, but these kinds of things happen in this game," he said. "I'm just glad it didn't happen on my way to the Classic and that I've had some time to get things taken care of.
"The guys from Suzuki came out (from Southern California) and we put a new engine on the boat and it should be in good shape for the Classic. I'm just happy I'll fishing out of my Phoenix/Suzuki rig with my sponsors on the wrap."
A fiberglass shop in Arizona did some work on the boat's hull in consultation with Phoenix.
"It looks good and we tested it on the water (on Tuesday). It seems to be real solid."
