The 2014 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® Regional winners to date are in

Winners to compete in international competition in Las Vegas

By Jeff Farmakes

The first few months of the 2014 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® Regional Schedule are behind us and the winners for the first 5 of 23 qualifying Regional events held this year are in. The first place masons and their tenders from these Regionals will be heading to compete against follow Regional winners. The competition will take place on Wednesday, February 4, 2015, at the 2015 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 Championship held at the 2015 World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas, Nevada, where the masonry teams will compete for $100,000 in cash and prizes including a new Ford F250 4x4 truck.

The Regionals are a great place to gather with other masons in your area, make trade contacts and see some of the latest masonry equipment in action. Bring your family and socialize with others who love the trade of masonry. Several of the Regionals have drawn local TV news crews and newspaper coverage promoting masonry and workforce development in their areas. This year you will see a record 23 Regionals held throughout North America. There is more Regional excitement yet to come in September, October, and November before the qualifying season wraps up in Arizona on December 6th.

2014 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 Regional Winners to-date through August

Quebec

Mason: Gabriel Legault, Tender: Maxime Legault, Contractor: Legault Masonry, Gatineau, QC

Ohio

Mason: Billy Gabbard, Tender: Joe Telinda, Contractor: Jacob Masonry Contractors, Cleves, OH

Washington

Mason: Phil Evans, Tender: Brenden Evans, Contactor: R & D Masonry, Marysville, WA, Brick Count: 457

Eastern Tennessee

Mason: Fred Campbell, Tender: Tony Shelton, Contractor: Creative Masonry, Greeneville, TN, Brick Count: 600 Brick

Utah

Mason: Scott Tuttle, Tender: Emmanuel Alvarado, Contractor: Quik Trowel, Clearfield, UT, Brick Count: 661

Established to showcase the skill, craftsmanship and pride of the masonry trade, the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® is a bricklaying contest requiring all masons to meet the quality standards of the event. Each two-person team has 60 minutes to lay as many brick as possible on a 26 foot 8 inch long, double wythe brick wall that is constructed by following strict rules and procedures. The competition has four awards: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place which are based on the highest net brick count meeting the quality standards. The 4th award, and arguably considered the most coveted prize, the SPEC MIX TOP CRAFTSMAN, is judged the most sellable wall with over 500 brick laid and zero point deductions. It has the second highest award purse and can be won in tandem with any of the other prizes. Whether the competition is for a Regional Qualifying event or the National Championship, the walls are closely evaluated by carefully selected masonry officials carrying several years of bricklaying experience and training.

For more details about this event go to www.specmixbricklayer500.com.