Scott Fields Benefit Ride
Hosted by Carolina Trail Blazers & True Patriot
Saturday, May 19th
Trail Riding * Camping * Raffle * Fund Raiser
Scott Fields has dedicated decades of service and support of OHV recreation in North Carolina.
Viewing entries tagged
raffle
Camping is available for $10 per rig for Friday and Saturday for those wanting to ride in the forest, daily trail pass not included. Camping is included with a $50 donation for the private rides on Big Creek Rocks and Grand Overland District, Ledger Shoals. Rides will be organized by moderate and difficult to take driver experience and vehicle capability into consideration. All rides will leave the event center around 9:30 and return by 5. Lunch is not provided, however, Texalina BBQ will be on hand when the rides return to the events center.
“ Many of you do not know our good friend Scott Fields. Here is a little look into his OHV life. Scott is very sick and we are trying to support him, his family and the current issues. Please help us help Scott in this time of need. Support the Carolina Trail Blazers, Jason Watson and Team, as they support the Fields family.”
A message from the Carolina Trail Blazers, James Belcher.
The Uwharries, prior to becoming a national forest in 1961 by decree of President John F. Kennedy, were used for hunting, gold mining, timber and farming. All of those activities left a system of roads and trails throughout the forest which continued to be used by recreationists after the Uwharries were name a National Forest. Motorcycles, trucks and early 4wd vehicles accessed the forest for many purposes. With the advent of the ATV in the early 70’s usage of the forest increased.
In the late 70s and early 80s, motorcycle clubs, notably NC Trailriders, under the leadership of John Worsley, were using the forest trail system and developing and maintaining new trails. At this time Scott Fields was living on Badin Lake and as an active outdoorsman, Scott was an active user of Uwharrie National Forest. Scott was an ATV owner who frequently rode the Forest Service roads and hunting trails in the Uwharries. As a “local” Scott became friends with John Worsley and NC Trailriders. Scott would use his Honda Foreman ATV to serve as a pack mule for the motorcycle club as they performed their trail work carrying chainsaws, axes, gas cans and other equipment the motorcycle riders couldn’t carry.
In 1982 Scott purchased a “79 Dodge Power Wagon. This vehicle was capable of carrying much more trail development equipment and Scott’s role in developing the Uwharrie trail system increased as well. At about this same time Forest Service personnel and motorcycle club leadership began to have issues over the trail system usage and maintenance. Legal motorcycle access was even suspended for a short period between 1982 and 1984. It was at this time that Scott began to have a vision to incorporate the off road trails into a Forest Service operation that would serve the full size OHV users in addition to the motorcycles and three wheeler ATVs that were using the trail system. In 1984 the trail system was reopened for all motor usage and was being used by motorcycles, ATVs and full size 4wd vehicles which were becoming very popular.
During this same period of time, 1982-1986, a 4wd event called the Smoky Mountain Trek was being held in the Nantahala National Forest area called Tellico. With the proliferation of full size 4wd usage, the event began to grow beyond its bounds, and the need developed for a recreationist advocacy group to work with the Forest Service in maintaining the trail system.
In the spring of 1987 a new organization was formed to be an advocate for the many individual and club 4wd enthusiasts in the southeast United States. This association was formed as the Southern Four Wheel Drive Association. The inaugural meeting took place in Gatlingburgh, TN. Among the attendees was Scott Fields, a member of the Carolina Trail Blazers 4wd Club, Inc. Scott is a charter member of SFWDA as is the CTB club.
Through his contacts with local enthusiasts, Forest Service personnel and SFWDA leadership, Scott brokered a deal whereby SFWDA would assist the Forest Service in developing an OHV system in the forest which would bring to fruition his vision of a multi-user trail system.
Several of SFWDA’s leaders at that time were experienced heavy machinery operators and Scott recruited their services in operating the machinery that modified the single track trails into something suitable for full size 4wd vehicles. Gunnar Byrd, 2011-2013 SFWDA president, and Griff Shirley were the men on the machines during this phase of the Uwharrie OHV trail system development.
As with many Forest Service programs, the participation of the general public, especially sport specific enthusiasts, was a key to maintaining the new OHV trails. As Scott’s vision began to take shape, the need for someone to coordinate volunteer efforts in this maintenance was self evident. As a resident of the area, an enthusiast and visionary of the project, Scott was the logical choice, and so began his 16 year run as OHV volunteer coordinator for the Uwharrie OHV trail system.
In the mid 2000s Scott suffered some business problems which forced him to curtail his OHV volunteer activities and move away from the Uwharie area. The OHV volunteer coordinator position passed through several people and as participation and communication between the coordinators and the Forest Service declined the Forest Service decided to began using an Adpot-A-Trail Partner program. Instead of having a volunteer coordinator that would work with the various clubs and individuals, clubs would adopt a specific trail to maintain in the Uwharrie OHV system and the Forest Service personnel would coordinate with club leadership.
Without Scott Fields and his vision it is very doubtful that there would even be an OHV trail system in Uwharrie National Forest. He is owed a debt of gratitude from every enthusiast who uses those trails!
Trailfest 2018 Ticket Sales are LIVE!
Register Today for the very best deal.
Save $10, but only through January. Be one of the first 200 and Qualify to WIN a WARN Zeon 10K-s Winch Kit.
Register online and earn free raffle tickets for our WARN Winch Giveaway!
Right now day passes are just $50 and weekend passes are $90 but only for a very limited time.
#sfwda #trailfest2018
Our streamlined new Trailfest 2017 Registration is setup, has been tested, and is ready to launch.
Live Friday morning; (1-20-17) at 8am Eastern.
Before that happens I wanted everyone to know we have a really special prize to give away from our friends at Warn, but it will only be offered to those who register online.
With our Ticket Multiplier this year the earlier you book the better your odds of winning.
Book your tickets online and qualify to win this exclusive Warn Winch raffle prize.
Warn Industries has graciously contributed a brand new shiny WARN® ZEON® 10-S Winch kit. Thats one of their top winches with a 10,000 lb rating, complete with remote, 100' of synthetic cable, aluminumm fairlead, hook and all.
https://www.warn.com/truck/winches/ZEON_10-S.jsp
These exclusive Warn Raffle Tickets will be distributed with your ticket purchase to each paid driver admission purchased online;
4x tickets to first 50, 3x to first 100, and 2x to first 200, and 1x for all the rest online.
There is no way to buy these tickets and they will not be available at the event, so register online and do it early.
Stay tuned for more details....https://www.sfwda.org/trailfest
Beyond this great merchandise pack Premium Members also have access to numerous retailer discounts, BRC, and Tread Lightly affiliation, and perhaps most importantly you're supporting our local region to fight for OHV trail access, promote OHV education, and preserve our trails. Today is the last full day to become a Premium Member for your exclusive chance to win a YETI!
http://www.sfwda.org/yeti
All Premium Members and Attendees of our 2015 Annual Meeting will be entered into a raffle to win some brand new Yeti, and SFWDA brand merchandise!