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DRIVERS TEST SKILLS IN WISCONSIN STATE TRUCK DRIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS
97 of the top fleet truck drivers in the state from 31 companies put
their driving skills to a grueling test June 20th
& 21st in
the 2003 Wisconsin State Truck Driving Championships at Fox Valley Technical
College in Appleton.
The Truck Driving Championships, sponsored annually by the Wisconsin
Council of Safety Supervisors, an affiliate of the Wisconsin Motor Carriers
Association, to promote highway safety, is the toughest test of a truck driver's
knowledge and job performance. The
most dramatic competition is the field course, beginning at 7:00 a.m. on
Saturday, June 21st. There
were six parking and maneuvering exercises requiring precision driving and
steady nerves.
In one test, the driver of a typical 60-foot tractor-trailer must make a
left turn coming as close to a curb (tire) without hitting it.
In addition to the field course, competitors are required to make a
typical pre-trip inspection for the trucks, looking for a series of safety
defects planted by officials. Each
also undergoes an hour-long written examination, testing knowledge of the
trucking industry, safe driving rules, first aid, and fire-fighting.
"The contestant making the highest total score in each of the events
is designated the Champion of the Class," said Don Jerrell, HNI Risk
Services, Chairman of the 2003 Wisconsin State Truck Driving Championships.
“Trophies were awarded to the top three competitors in each class of
competition at the awards banquet held at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel in
Appleton.”
In addition to the best driver awards in each truck category, Vehicle
Condition Award is given to the driver with the best score for a pre-trip
inspection. Also presented is a
Rookie-of-the-Year Award, for the best score by a new contestant.
To be eligible for competition, a driver must have been employed for at
least one year by a fleet trucking company and have a one-year accident-free
driving record. These are some of
the best drivers in the state. The following were the champions in this year’s
competition
These Champions will be competing at the ATA National Truck Driving
Championships at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH August 19
– 23, 2003. They will compete
against drivers from all 50 states in their class of competition. Other awards presented were:
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