Skill, speed, and stamina: SPEC MIX Bricklayer 500 contest lauds production and craftsmanship

Masonry Construction, June, 2004

Victory belonged to the veterans in a competition for the title of "Country's Best Bricklayer" at the 2nd annual SPEC MIX Brick layer 500, held in February at World of Masonry/World of Concrete in Orlando. Sixteen teams of one journeyman and one tender vied for $20,000 in cash and prizes in the race to place the most brick in one hour.

Claiming the title was Bob Boll, Boll Masonry, Conifer, Colo., who placed 765 brick in 60 minutes (see related story on page 66). While he did not break his own 1987 world record of 914 brick placed in one hour, this victory was particularly sweet because, as he put it, "my lower back tells me I'm not as young as I was then."

Second place went to Phillip Veal, R&G Masonry Contractors Inc., Jonesboro, Ark. The 52-year old Veal, who placed 668 brick, said Ire threw his hat in the ring to see how he would fare against "those young kids." Finishing third was Paul Klein, New World Construction Corp., Montgomery, N.Y., with 646 brick.

Quality and quantity

Brick count was not the only measure of success, however. A panel of judges considered both speed and quality in determining the winners. Judges inspected each wall for both production and workmanship. Competitors with more than 20 voids or the plumb exceeding 1/4 inch were disqualified.

"The contestant who laid the most brick did not win," noted Brian Carney, vice president and general manager for SPEC MIX Inc., the Mendota Heights, Minn.-based mortar manufacturer that developed the contest to promote awareness of masonry construction and pride in craftsmanship. "The mason is a true artisan, and the competition does not lose sight of this fact."

Two events

Prior to the brick laying event, the spotlight was on the mason tenders in the "Toughest Tender" contest. Nearly 2000 spectators crowded around as the 16 tenders raced to be the first to set up their stations, consisting of 1000 brick evenly staged, 40 CMU, five mortarboards and stands, four 16-foot planks, a wheelbarrow, pails, shovels, and brick tongs. Derek Schurke of Five Star Masonry, LeClaire, Iowa, won this contest, taking home $2000 in cash for his efforts.

Then the masons stepped up. Working on the starter walls each had built be fore the formal competition began, the masons had 60 minutes to build a 26-foot double-wythe wall with a minimum of 500 brick. The masons lifted their own brick and worked the trowels of mortar from the five mortarboards and stacks of product. Each bricklayer was responsible for every aspect of the wall's construction, including raising the line and pins, striking joints, and filling voids.

Continuing competition

After the inaugural competition, staged n 2003 at World of Masonry in Las Vegas, SPEC MIX held seven regional challenges to qualify contestants for this year's national event. The company is increasing be number of regional competitions in 2004 in response to demand.

"We were surprised and pleased with the interest in the program, said Carney. "We had masons calling from all over the country to find out how they could become involved. Not only did the contest expand, but more importantly, the quality of the workmanship displayed by the participants was even better than last year. Special thanks go to all of the cosponsors for their efforts and enthusiasm in making the program a success."

The SPEC MIX Bricklayer 500 competition is part of MASONRY CONSTRUCTION magazine's Masons' Challenge series of events highlighting masonry craftsmanship.

Contest Sponsors

Gold Level

SPEC MIX

EZ Grout Corp.

The Brick Industry

Marshalltown Co.

MASONRY CONSTRUCTION magazine

Silver Level:

MK Diamond Products Inc.

Gatorback Mortarboards

Hydro Mobile

Crick Tool

Sterling Handling Equipment

Kapro Tools Inc.

Cherokee Brick and Tile

Contributors:

Cabela's Outfitters

Rinker Materials

Pre Mix Industries

Participating Teams

Company                                Mason/Tender

IMS Masonry, Orem, Utah                Tracy Allen/Roberto Bernal
Summit Concrete & Masonry, North
  Branch, Minn.                        Patrick Baxter/Bill Larson
Boll Masonry, Conifer, Colo.           Bob Boll/Paul Boll
Boll Masonry, Oak Lawn, III.           Michael Boll/Mike Vanek
Ferrante & Sons Masonry Inc.,
  Massillon, Ohio                      Bernard Ferrante/Brett Hughes
Stellar Concrete & Masonry,
  Burnsville, Minn.                    Brian Gruenhagen/Lamont Lommel
Better Built Masonry, Muscatine,
  Iowa                                 Ben Houghton/David McCleary
Houghton Masonry, Blue Grass, Iowa     Glenn Houghton Sr.
Five Star Masonry, LeClaire, Iowa      Glenn Houghton Jr./Derek Schurke
New World Construction Corp.,
  Montgomery, N.Y.                     Paul Klein/Joseph Macagne
Mathis Masonry, Avinger, Texas         Jerald Navarette/Jesse Navarotte
Mourer Masonry, Batesville, Ark.       Wayne Phipps/Brett Barr
Pascal Robertson Masonry, Apopka,
  Fla.                                 Pascal Robertson/Mike Fuller
Quik Trowell Masonry, Elkridge,        Brian Turtle/Scott Turtle
  Utah
R&G Masonry Contractors Inc.,
  Jonesboro, Ark                       Phillip Veal/Jerry Crump
            --                         Javsen Walter/Mike Luthi