When you hear the word “Wildsville,” what comes to mind? Perhaps an untamed place where the landscape is wild, or somewhere full of adventure and a lack of rules. Transport your mind to rural middle-Georgia. From untouched rolling fields to dense woods of pine and pecan trees, the landscape is something out of an Allman Brothers song.
Decades ago, this farm was active — the land produced corn, soybeans, and cotton, and even served as grazing land for horses, cows, and other livestock. But time went on, industries changed, and the farm was passed on to the next generation in the family.
Nowadays, the land serves a different purpose — motorcycles. In the front of the property sits an oval dirt track. Echoes of flat track races can be heard when listening closely. Beyond that is a nearly two-mile-long motocross course that circles the interior of the farm, a taste of natural Georgian terrain. The track is mainly grass, and any moisture will help kick up the red clay to make things interesting. There are some low intensity jumps and even a quick bit of sand as you edge along the lake. It’s fast, wide, and open at some points, but as it finishes, it tightens up and will often put riders head-to-head. Even further into the farmland appears a woods course that is almost four miles long and takes nearly an hour for some to lap. It’s a tight, technical single track winding through overgrown pine forests, with creek crossings and hill climbs that will make or break riders.
Run what ya brung
It was coined “Wildsville” by Chastin and his wife Lauren Brand — they had to come up with something that captured the spirit of the property — their family farm, their home, and so much more. Lauren’s father moved to Georgia in the ’70s from Switzerland, where he was a farmer, but he wanted to be a farmer here. He acquired this land back then and has been here since. He raised his family here; Lauren grew up on this land, where she and her mother would walk the woods nearly every day, now something she shares with their daughter Jeppie — but now their path is also a motorcycle racecourse. Lauren’s dad eventually retired and passed the farmland on to her and Chastin for its next chapter. They knew they had something special and wanted to share it with others.
“We love hosting,” said Lauren Brand, “Our land really inspires it. It gives purpose for the property, a reason to maintain and cultivate our homestead.”
Being an amateur motorcycle racer, Chastin would often attend club races and other area events. He favored the vintage classes, usually riding his 1969 Triumph TR6 to the races, then racing, and then riding home — if it survived. It’s a TR6 turned desert sled, punched out to 750cc. While at these races, Chastin noticed a lack of younger folks, a generational gap between himself and those racing. He knew there was a bit of a vintage scene around Atlanta, from bike nights to community garages. He was aware of a handful of young folks doing the “vintage thing” and wondered why they weren’t making it to the races.
“I saw a missing niche between the serious club racers and the vintage hobbyist. I figured I’d give my hand at bridging the gap,” Chastin recalled. “We had the space to do it, we had the means. I wanted to create something low-stakes, accessible, and most importantly, fun.”
Racing can sometimes have a high barrier to participation. If you’re new to the sport, it can be confusing finding the right events, signing up for the proper classes, and adhering to the strict guidelines for your motorcycle. It’s intimidating and often expensive, from the machines to entering the races.
With Wildsville, Chastin and Lauren conceived an annual motorcycle event held in rural Georgia, 90 miles south of Atlanta. It’s a weekend of vintage motorcycle racing, camping, and all-around good times. Egos are checked at the door and whoever has the most fun wins. “Run what ya brung” is the motto, and half the folks that attend have never raced a day in their lives. The Brands believe racing should be accessible, fun, and free from the pressures of traditional competition.
Chastin captured the demographic perfectly. “Half the racers that show up have never raced before. We also have a very high return rate. Anyone that attends usually won’t miss the next one and usually brings a friend. It’s family friendly, too, and camping is one of the main attractions, aside from racing”.
As a 30-year-old in the modern age, this is my “Woodstock.” Stepping onto the property feels like traveling back in time — vintage motorcycles, vans, trucks, and cars are everywhere. Nostalgia lingers in rusting hand-painted signs, art deco touches, and mid-century design. The fresh country air carries the scent of burning oil and gas. You may not have heard of it; the scramble thrives on an “if you know, you know” ethos. It’s not a secret, just a grassroots, volunteer-driven event that takes a village to pull off.
Racer August Zeretsky drives 1,000 miles all the way from Wisconsin to attend. “It was like moto-heaven. The property is so unique and full of character, and the vintage vehicles, signs, and campers really add to the feel.” Everyone who attends seems to be immediately struck by Wildsville’s magic. “I was amazed at the sheer amount of people that were set up in the yard. I felt like I was with my people, even though I hadn’t met anyone yet. I think Chastin told me it might not be worth the drive. I’ll be the first to say he was wrong about that.” He continued, “… it’s the people. Chastin and Lauren have done a really fantastic job of positioning this event so it attracts the right kind of people. I swear, the people I have met through the Wildsville Scramble are some of the most genuine, helpful, interesting, and exciting people I know. I have lifelong friends thanks to this event, and I keep meeting more every time I go. It’s very easy to show up at Wildsville and feel at home. If you like cool old motorcycles and incredibly light-hearted competition, this is the place for you.”
Hooked from the first lap
Year one had hand-drawn flyers as the only form of advertisement and resulted in just 40 attendees. Chastin puts it simply, “The first year, we didn’t really know what it was supposed to be.” With word of mouth and a little bit of internet posting, year three saw nearly 150 folks attend over the weekend. The next couple of years became a turning point for Chastin and Lauren as they decided what direction to go with this event.
Abner, race director of the Wildsville Scramble, didn’t always serve in that role. In fact, he started out as an attendee. “My first year, I really wasn’t even supposed to be there” he recalled. “Some buddies dragged me out for the weekend to some race across state lines. Little did I know what I was getting into and how hooked I would be.” That’s usually the effect that Wildsville has on folks. “I ended up volunteering the next year and things took off organically from there. You’ll find me keeping score, but usually flagging races.”
The Scramble has been a motivator, pushing them to maintain and improve the property. Each year they learn something new and find a way to improve. Whether it’s bettering the racecourses, adding an extra restroom, redoing the deck, or upgrading infrastructure, the event serves as a reason to keep investing in their home while raising funds to do so.
“This event is also a good reminder for us to live in the moment. It’s hard not to take our space for granted. Hearing how much everyone enjoys their time is a great reminder that we’ve built something special,” said Lauren Brand.
Raniel Dantic, local and experienced racer, found the crowd at Wildsville to be welcoming and diverse. “As a Filipino, this is one of the only motorcycle events I’ve attended where I’ve come across others like me, as well as many other folks represented.”
Where else but Wildsville?
Now in its sixth year, the Wildsville Scramble has taken shape and evolved into a legitimate place in the southeast motorcycle racing world. This year, the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) made Wildsville an official stop on the schedule and held Regional Cross-Country and Motocross races. This meant “pro racers” and veterans of the scene were in attendance, mixed with first timers. Some were racing for points and a trophy, but it’s the magic of the environment that allows the two groups to exist in harmony.
Henry Gregorich is the AHRMA Southeast off-road coordinator and was in attendance on his 1970s Hodaka Combat Wombat. He believes Wildsville offers a unique experience for all attendees. “Wildsville is unique in that it’s on private property, it’s pristine, the grass is always green and well kept — it’s just welcoming and laid back.” The AHRMA Southeast Region has become one of the largest and most active regions for AHRMA, especially for off-road racing.
“Wildsville is totally unique on the AHRMA circuit — it’s got this offbeat, ‘run what ya brung’ spirit that you just don’t find at other races. Where else are you going to see a wheeled Jet Ski, a Honda CB750, and a Harley all tackling the same motocross course?”
The Wildsville Scramble is a Regional AHRMA event, but you don’t need to be an AHRMA member to race during the weekend. Regionals are about bringing in the curious — come look, see, and get a taste of what it’s all about. One of Henry’s favorite things from the weekend was the sportsmanship. “If your bike breaks, your competition might be the first to help you fix it — that’s the spirit here. Everyone helps each other out. I find that to be a common thing in the vintage motorcycle world.”
People travel from far and wide to attend the weekend’s events. Often it feels like a weekend summer camp or family reunion. Racer Raniel Dantic put it fondly, “It feels like living in On Any Sunday.” Folks fly in from overseas, participants from Germany being most distant this year. Others annually drive from Miami, even Colorado.
Preparation for the event begins months out — decisions on types of races to host, plotting and cutting the courses, then maintaining the land, readying it for the event. Sponsorships are sought to help cover expenses and provide infrastructure like free coffee and porta-johns. Diesel fuel costs are subsidized and supplies for the weekend are taken care of. Everything the event earns is reinvested for the next year.
Colin McDonald offered a lot of support this year on behalf of Triumph Roswell & Pop’s Coffee Co. They provided a stand with fresh, hot, good, free coffee throughout the entire weekend. A small gesture that really made a big difference. “I loved being able to help Chastin, Lauren, and this event. Our shop was on site to give racers a midday pick me up, or a place to just chitchat around the coffee pot.”
Rolling in and gearing up
Fast forward to the week of the event. The “inner circle” typically arrives on Thursday. Volunteers, sponsors, the die-hards make last-minute preparations before the weekend’s chaos begins. The tracks need grooming, flag stations set up, and a final shakedown with test laps. Infrastructure needs setup, power run, campsites taped off, porta-potties delivered, waivers and registration materials prepared, and workers assigned. Arriving early means a task and responsibility, giving everyone a sense of ownership in the event.
Half the attendees will usually arrive on Friday with rigs rolling in from near and far. As registration opens, a line forms at the entrance to Wildsville. Lauren Brand is often found at the welcome tent, greeting entrants. She’s the logistical glue behind this event, problem solving and sometimes even scoring races. The field fills up as racers unload, set up camps, and prepare for the weekend. Mini-bikes roar alive and quickly fill the field as folks roam and begin the weekend shenanigans. First-timers nervously eye the terrain while veterans swap stories and beers by their fire pits. The group campout element of this event continues to be a favorite among those attending.
This year, it rained several days leading up to the event. While the weekend forecast was cloudy but dry, the grounds were heavily saturated and sure to add some muddy fun to the equation. Saturday morning is when the remaining half of attendees arrive. This year brought the most on record, over 300, with nearly 80 riders participating in at least one event. Many of this year’s racers hadn’t competed before, but were drawn by the welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. That first morning of racing, folks gather early for a riders meeting and to go over the day’s events. Winning isn’t what matters most here. Instead, camaraderie, laughter, and shared experiences take priority.
Race prep begins and the pits are a scene out of a motorcycle magazine from the ’70s and ’80s. Bikes of every manufacture and size, nearly all from past decades. Can-Ams, Kawasakis, Suzukis, Hondas, Yamahas, BSAs, Triumphs, even Matchless, Hodaka, and a Harley. The day’s events kicked off with the Cross-Country woods race — a brutal, technical loop that weaves through the property for nearly four miles. Riders disappear into the trees, swallowed by the Georgia wilderness, only to emerge caked in mud, some victorious, others defeated but smiling. The course is long, unpredictable, and exhausting. Some finish in good time. Others limp back to camp, dragging broken bikes behind them, or being dragged out by track workers.
After the woods race, there’s some time to reset. Riders regroup, bikes get cleaned, gear is swapped. Some just take a breather. Others walk through the pits, catching up with old friends, welcoming new ones, talking about anything but lap times.
The motocross race is next. This event is more of a spectacle, with nearly the whole track and riders in clear view. The mud was a challenge this year, but that was half the fun. The beauty of the Wildsville Scramble is that anyone can race whatever they bring, whether or not the machine is appropriate for the class. The motocross “run what ya brung” class has gained legendary status, often inspiring first timers, always drawing a crowd. Throw knobbies on your CB750, or run street tires and see what happens. Sidecar rigs, larger adventure bikes, even a Knucklehead with tractor tires can make it around the course.
Trophies are nice, but the stories last
The Wildsville Scramble’s lore is too intriguing to miss. With the addition of AHRMA-sanctioned races, traditional competition and expert riders have found their way to the event. But Wildsville still magically blends generations and skill levels into a unique experience. The event maintains a self-policing culture, where mutual respect keeps behavior in check. One year, legendary racer Dave Aldana showed up. “It was a surreal moment,” said Chastin. “What was he doing here, how did he even hear about this?” His presence, along with some constructive advice, reinforced what they already knew: they had built something special.
Veterans of the event often say this is what they miss most about “the good old days.” Wildsville doesn’t take itself too seriously, and neither do the racers.
If the weather had cooperated, late afternoon and evening flat-track races would have brought the dirt circle to life, with dust filling the air as riders raced neck and neck. But this year’s muddy track is just another reason to come back next year.
Next came the award ceremony. The coveted trophies — helmets hand-painted by Chastin — are a fun bonus, but the real prize is the experience. Winning is cool, but at Wildsville, it’s all about having fun.
As the sun set, campfires glowed, grills blazed, and beers were cracked open. For the first time, live music filled the air. The Hot Rod Walt Trio took the stage, underscoring how the event has grown and evolved. Stories were swapped, laughter echoed through the campground, and the night stretched on. Some were already scheming for next year, while others simply savored the moment.
Sunday typically brings open riding and casual races, but the wet weather made the campground a muddy mess. Most folks left, or tried to, but nearly everyone got stuck and needed towing by Chastin and his tractor. As Chastin likes to say, “You always leave Wildsville with a story.”
The Wildsville Scramble remains an organic, self-sustaining event with a bright future. Chastin and Lauren feel it’s hitting a sweet spot — attendance is sizable yet manageable, and while it grows each year, it still maintains its authentic, magical feel. Their involvement is key, though they hope one day the event can run itself.
The next Wildsville Scramble is set for September 6th, 2025. It will again host an AHRMA-sanctioned grass-track motocross race and cross-country woods race, continuing to offer an accessible entry to vintage racing for those seeking the most fun. MC
