World Championship

LET’S LAY SOME BRICK!

The Event that Honors the Masonry Industry.

The flame in the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® logo was included for a reason. The design represents the speed of fiery drive the masons display as they race to win the competition that has become one of the industry’s greatest achievements. Once again, on February 3, 2016 masons compete to decide the world title. Get the most current information here:

• 2016 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 Championship
• 2016 MASONRY MADNESS Day
• 2016 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 DIGIMAG

When SPEC MIX decided to create a masonry competition that focused on SPEED, SKILL and STAMINA, their goal was to create an entertainment event for spectators that would ultimately draw the best masons from around the United States, if not the world. And, over the past decade, the competition’s rules and judging criteria have been modified to highlight the workmanship and technique of experienced bricklayers. To encourage and reward the spirited masons who push their capabilities to the edge, today the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® offers what is considered the greatest total prize purse, worth of over $120,000, including a new FORD F250 XLT 4×4 and lots of cash and prizes.

The SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 is a unique competition. By mixing masonry skills with the world of sports, the excitement generates a venue that draws the attention of the worldwide media. Over the past 13 years, literally millions of people have seen news reports and YOUTUBE videos, read press articles, and heard radio interviews and broadcasts of the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500. The competition has been featured on national network television, cable television, and internet social media sites, and has been the subject of numerous blogs regarding what makes a great bricklaying competition.

Like all sports, the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 competition is well defined by a clear set of rules. This document governs the design and as-built quality of the wall. Brick count deductions are made for rule infractions. In simple terms, the competition lasts 60 minutes in which time contestants build a 26 ft. 8 in., double-wythe brick wall as high as possible. There is a short rest period followed by a short cleaning period, and then the walls are judged. The competition has four awards; 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place are based on the highest 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 saleable wall”.

The SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 program was created to give back to the trade of masonry in an exciting way that would be noticed not only by the construction trade but the public. Those involved in the education, promoting and selling the trade of masonry are keenly aware of the challenges facing our industry. In 2010 SPEC MIX introduced a theme for the Event called “KEEPING THE TRADE STRONG,” to further define the event and its mission—promote masonry and the craft. And the message seems to be working.

“I can’t wait to compete at this level,”

More than entertainment, the event is inspirational to younger generations. “I can’t wait to compete at this level,” said Vince Wright, two-time SkillsUSA Masonry Champion. “I’m just starting my professional career but the pride I have in the skill of masonry, gives me tremendous confidence in what I can create with my hands,” said Wright.

It’s not only the youth that have taken notice. Experienced mentors like Dink Mitchell, Gates Construction, Mooresville, North Carolina, believes the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 is a great promotional tool for the masonry industry. “When I show our apprentices the video of the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500, their impression is ‘WOW, I want to compete in that.’ That’s the attitude our industry needs,” said Mitchell.

How it started…

Those involved in its original creation saw its potential and decided to continue on and improve the bricklaying competition, which has developed over the years to today’s year-round program. The goals were ambitious in 2003, and the SPEC MIX staff worked hard at getting the concept off the ground. “It was a much more subtle event back then compared to today,” said Brian Carney, SPEC MIX Inc.’s vice president. At the end of the day before that first brick was laid, SPEC MIX had signed up six co-sponsors to provide prizes at the fledgling competition. Although 20 teams where hoped for, 12 were lined up and only seven teams actually showed to compete.

The first mason to win the inaugural SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 in 2003, was Wayne Phipps, of Mourer Masonry Inc., Batesville, Arkansas. Phipps laid 539 brick. “Without a doubt the competition has changed considerably since the inaugural event in 2003. The rules have been modified considerably to change the strategy of the contestants, which ultimately lowered the overall brick counts, yet significantly increased the quality of workmanship. The masons appreciated the change as much as our team—it’s good for the industry,” said Carney.

Jim O’Connor, executive secretary of the Mason Contractors Association of Greater Chicago, has been a key part of the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 since its inception 13 years ago. Not only is O’Connor one of three emcees of the World Championship Event, and is considered the comedian of the team that interacts with the crowd, he is recognized as a true spokesperson for the masonry industry, and strong advocate for the competition. He believes that mason contractors, as well as actual bricklayers and laborers, have all benefited from this annual promotion. “I plan on helping whenever I can, and most certainly will attend this event until the day some union Bricklayer sets my tombstone at the cemetery,” said O’Connor.

Bob Boll, president, Boll Masonry, Lakewood, Colorado, was one of the early competitors. Boll, who won the 2004 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500, marvels at how the competition has grown. As a long-time bricklayer, Boll appreciates the level of sponsor support. “It shows they believe in the masonry trade and want it to grow,’ said Boll. But as an owner of a masonry firm, Boll sees another contribution. He says the Event draws attention to the fact masonry is a profitable business. “The competition shows that for masonry to be competitive, bricklayers need to build saleable pieces of masonry with both speed and quality,” said Boll.

“The men and women of the building trades have been the backbone of this country for a very long time and we at Ford Motor Company are proud to support this event.”

Co-Sponsors see the value of industry support

To have a successful event means strong partners. These are companies and associations whose support of the masonry trade goes beyond just marketing their businesses. “Our sponsors see value in supporting the trade they serve in deeds and actions, even in challenging times,” said Nick Blohowiak, SPEC MIX Eastern Regional Sales Manager. Since these sponsors generally represent companies and products commonly found on a masonry project, their interest is in more than selling product. They want to support the industry.

“The men and women of the building trades have been the backbone of this country for a very long time, and we at Ford Motor Company are proud to support this event,” said Stan Kovaleski, Ford Commercial Truck Trade Shows and Events Manager. He says that watching the best masons in the world compete against one another in their profession is both entertaining and exciting. “The speed, quality and skill of all the participants is something to behold,” said Kovaleski.

“Hydro Mobile has been involved in the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 since the very beginning, and our company is delighted with the momentum that this event has created in the industry,” said Thierry Lachapelle, Hydro Mobile, Sales and Marketing Director, “As a mast climbing work platform manufacturer heavily involved in the masonry sector, we are very proud to be part of the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500. This event represents a great stage to feature the incomparable level of pride and determination that the masonry trade is based on – KEEPING THE TRADE STRONG,” said Lachapelle.

Each year the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 draws more attention to the masonry trade and proves to the industry that by pulling together to achieve a common goal: Promote masonry construction, good things will happen. SPEC MIX and its co-sponsors have built the perfect model. There’s no question that the combined efforts of all these companies is the key to the event’s huge success. The SPEC MIX team and the co-sponsors’ staff function like a family over the year as they put on 22 regional qualifying rounds over the summer, which determines the roster for the World Championship in Las Vegas. There are three levels of sponsorship starting with Platinum, Gold and Contributor.

There’s no question that the combined efforts of all these companies is the key to the event’s huge success.

The 2015 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 sponsors are:

Platinum Level Sponsors
SPEC MIX, Inc.
SpecMix®
QUIKRETE®
Ford Trucks
HydroMobile
Multiquip
Belden Brick
Stabila
Hohmann & Barnard