“It’s not an adventure if nothing is going wrong,” Bronco Off-Roadeo Site Director Brian Harris said after changing a flat tire surrounded by rhododendrons.
Thursday morning, two mere reporters traded their recorders and notebooks for Broncos and mud for a sneak peek at the new Bronco Off-Roadeo site, located at 4440 Montvale Road, Maryville.
The Roadeo begins
The company acts as a sort of off-roading driving school, with trail guides leading the way and talking drivers through obstacles, such as rock gardens and steep inclines, via walkie-talkies.
They originally planned to set up shop in Walland but were met with resistance from residents who were concerned about increased traffic to the area and noise.
After the Walland location fell through, Off-Roadeo was connected with the owners of McCord Farm, who leased their land to the company. The farm has been operating in Blount County for decades. Bronco Off-Roadeo Marketing Director Kelsey Gerken said that when they began development, the McCord owners had one request — to preserve a 100-year-old smoker on the property.