Kenny Gwyn’s Brushy Mountain Trial Weekend

Brushy Mountain/Gwyn Motorsports/CVOTC trials weekend May 6-7, 2023--"A minion's report" by Ash Harrison

May 6-7,2023 was an epic weekend for the Carolina Virginia Observed Trials Club (CVOTC), Gwyn Motorsports, and the Brushy Mountain Motorsports Park (BMMP). It was the first time that a CVOTC trials event has ever been held there. And it turned out to be a resounding success.

Preparation for the event essentially began with the first ever trials event at Brushy Mountain last fall, where 6 of the sections of this weekend’s event were first used. All 6 were reworked and 4 all-new sections were added to make a 10-section, 3 1⁄2-mile loop. Workdays for this event began early this year and by mid-February, there were Wednesdays and Saturdays that 1 to 8 people were working 9am-5pm on bringing the sections together. There were 3-4 seasoned veterans involved in putting together the sections, as well as a couple hands full of dedicated helpers (lovingly known as the “minions”) with different riding levels, and hence, different points of view, to help preview the sections, but the sections were not completed until Friday, May 5 at 5pm! They were test ridden by Chris Buzzelli that very night.

The turnout for the event was excellent, with 45 riders (11 of whom were new to the CVOTC! and 7 rode without cards) considering the last event in the Fall was a “mud-fest” and the weather report for this past weekend was forecast to contain rain as well. It was not until Thursday evening that the rain was willed away, and sunshine was forecast instead! Kenny Gwyn, the Trialsmaster and the “ambassador of trials” had predicted it all week long. And he got it. The weather Saturday was sunny and a high of 73 degrees. Instead of being a muddy day, it was perfect. Most of the sections had fabulous traction, but a couple were actually “dry-slick.” Especially section 6 with its powdery lower half.

Section 1 is all-new, and right by the parking lot for spectators to see. It is made on a wooded hillside, bolstered by adding logs and rocks and making technical turns. For the upper-classes there is a log at the entrance, about 18”- 20”. For the experts, at the top of the section is the largest log in the trial, about 3 feet in diameter.

Section 2 is a creek-crossing with a tough “out” for all classes, up a hillside with rocks and roots. For those familiar, it was section 2 last fall, routed backwards.

Section 3 is no more than 100 feet to the right of section 2. It was section 1 in the fall. It features a creek crossing with a sizeable hill directly behind. The lower classes make turns on the hill face, while the upper classes go all the way up, a couple times! The descent is tricky and quite slick, and to exit the section requires a suspended log crossing.

Section 4 again traverses the creek and requires some very technical turns. Rocks and roots are its main challenge, coupled with tight, technical turns.

Section 5 is brand new, and primarily a creek ride with just minor to moderate size rocks, and for upper classes requires a precarious exit up a hillside with very little setup.

After section 5, there is a mile-and-a-half scenic ride through the Brushy Mountain Park over to Section 6, which is a hillside section, that gets steeper as you ascend. It is loamy at the bottom, quite cambered for many in the middle and a tricky hill at the top for upper classes. There is a testy rock in the middle of the section for most classes that requires care after crossing to maintain traction and balance for the remainder of the section.

Section 7 is a V-shaped camber test, with what turned into a dry-slick test. It was routed in reverse from the fall event and contains significant new parts for the upper classes.

Section 8 was the most challenging creek ride for most, with 12”-18” rocks and a couple step-ups. The upper classes has some technical turns and hillside traverses to contend with.

Section 9 is all-new and is the signature section for the trial. It is a Kenny Gwyn challenge! This section is a rock garden throughout, with a creek crossing, several large rocks, and a suspended tree right at the top of the creek exit. This section requires the ability to turn while in bowling-ball sized, oddly shaped rocks throughout. If you clean this section, you have a smile on your face!

Section 10 is called “The Hill” and while this new section is not a monster, it has challenges. For lower classes, it requires a high-speed off-camber climb to stay up and out of the V-shaped valley. For upper classes, it has one or two more vertical climbs up and out of the right flank of the valley. Not to mention the return to the valley floor is not straight and was dry-slick.

This trial was one of the best attended trials ever by the Carolina Virginia Observed Trial Club particularly due to Kenny Gwyn’s great promotion through social media. Regular updates on progress, and previews of the awards and location were instrumental in getting the word out about the trial. I want to personally say that I really like the idea of using club money and soliciting help from the group to make memorable trophies and take-aways possible. The nice, insulated drinking cups, with custom stickers was a great touch for the memorable trial.

Results from the trial:

EXPERT
Maddie Hoover 16
Jeff Hensley 67
Gary Hoover EXH

ADVANCED
Josh Hendricks 82
Mike Mazak 86
Paul Fuelling 93
Joe Palrang DNF
Alan Hensley DNF

SPORTSMAN
Gary Holbert 4 (WON LOWEST SCORE TROPHY)
Abigail Buzzelli 17
Kevin Gwyn 21
Christian Baer 79
Leslie Matheson 86
Alex Koper 94 (WON HIGHEST SCORE TROPHY)
John French DNF
John Hendricks DNF
Bernd Koper DNF

VINTAGE SPORTSMAN
Rick Schill ##

 INTERMEDIATE
James Ellis 21
Pawel Bistram 22
Ash Harrison 38
Joseph Cronin 55
Brian Merritt 63
David Gelbach 71
Rusty Lacy DNF
Robert Gravely DNF Stacy Duncan DNF

VINTAGE INTERMEDIATE
Jim Ellis 45
Michael Friesen 63
Scott Porter 69
Greg Holder DNF

NOVICE
Carl Tannenbaum 10
Kim Fuelling 31
Kurt Libman 47
Tom McKittrick DNF
Mark Stones DNF

 EXHIBITION
Randy Herndon
Berndie Lunsford

So, the first CVOTC trial at Brushy Mountain may go down in the history books as one of the hardest dry-day trials ever, but a polling of the riders will note that virtually everyone had a fantastic time and a challenging ride. The sections rode at the top end of the skill level assigned, so they were very tough for riders just beginning their level. In retrospect, it is noted that the Advanced line needs attention for future events. Thanks goes to Mike Mazak for coming back Sunday to help see ideas for how to make the Advanced line class-correct and somewhat safer for that level rider.

One of the interesting parts of this weekend is that Sunday was designed as a “fun day” and re-ride day. Everyone was invited to come to the park, camp overnight, and ride Sunday as well to help hone their skills in the sections they rode, and to ride the other sections, as desired. Chris and Abigail Buzzelli so kindly brought the massive Beta rig, along with at least 8-10 new Beta trials bikes to test/rent. They also put on a clinic for those who wished to attend. It seemed very well received and attended. Being able to ride a trials bike for the first time, or to ride a different bike type or size than your own is a valuable thing to have offered. Having a couple riders like the Buzzellis watch you ride to pick up flaws in technique is priceless.

Several videos from the day, including feedback from Maddie Hoover and Jeff Hensley, as well as the entire awards presentation is below. You can see interviews of all the riders who placed in the event there. If you aren’t already a member, be sure to join!

I will never forget this trial and how challenging it is to put on an event that is an inaugural trial for two groups in a location a couple hours from home. A special bow to Kenny Gwyn and all those who worked together to get BMMP ready for a bunch of trials-y types to come invade the space for a weekend of fun! I can’t wait for the next time!