Four hundred twenty-six top professional truck drivers from across the United States will be heading for Minneapolis MN next week for the 2012 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships, to be held August 7-11 in the Minneapolis Convention Center.
The "Super Bowl of Safety" is hosted annually by American Trucking Associations. This year celebrates the 75th anniversary of the National Truck Driving Championships.
The national contestants are state champions from all 50 states. States send winners from each class of competition--from 18-wheeled five-axle sleepers to tank trucks to twin trailers to straight trucks--eight competing classes in all with an affiliated competition for step vans. The 20th annual North American Inspectors Championship will again take place alongside the National Truck Driving Championships in Minneapolis, August 6-10.
Drivers will compete for four days, challenging their driving skills, and knowledge of safety, equipment and the industry. ATA’s Chairman Dan England, chairman, C R England Inc, will kick-off the first day of driving with the ceremonial Breakfast of Champions on Thursday.
Drivers then head to the competition course, which recreates real world obstacles that drivers encounter daily, such as a rear and/or front line stop, a scales stop, a right or left turn, parallel parking, or straight line driving through a diminishing clearance. Four classes will drive Thursday and five classes will take to the obstacle course Friday.
Drivers will be tested on their ability to identify and name vehicle defects during the Pre-Trip Inspection portion of the competition, as well as through knowledge of safety, security, fire safety, first aid, and health and wellness during an hour long written exam.
By the time it’s all over on Saturday, August 11, the United States will have a new Grand Champion, as well as individual champions in each class, and a state champion team. Bendix is the sponsor of the Bendix National Truck Driving Championships Grand Champion award.
Follow the 2012 National Truck Driving Championships next week on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Trucks-Bring-It/136881029721393