SCANIA Truck Namibia are hosting the second ‘Namibian Truck Driver of the Year’ competition, which takes place from Thursday 21 to Saturday 23 August at the Windhoek Gymnasium School Grounds, with the proceedings starting on day one at 8h30 for registration.
A total of 50 drivers represented from transport companies around Namibia, will be competing for the title “Scania Namibia Driver of the year”. A prize to the value of N$30 000 will be awarded to the winner, whilst the owner of the winning company will receive N$ 100,000.00 off his next purchase of a Scania truck/Bus or engine.
A N$20 000 prize will be handed to the runner up, and third place will receive N$10 000.
The selected drivers will compete in two stages (theoretical and practical), with focus on safe and economic driving as well as maneuvering skills.
The drivers nominated for the upcoming competition shall preferably (but not necessarily) have participated in the Scania Namibia driver training programme which gives them an advantage as the base for the skills tested in the competition are taught in the driver training programme.
The final event which will be held in public at Windhoek Gymnasium private school includes three advanced maneuvering activities, where an elimination process would have chosen 15 drivers to go head on for the title.
The top five drivers will move onto the ‘International Driver of the Year ‘competition in September, held in South Africa, and sponsored by Scania at Durotech, where they will participate against drivers from other African regions.
The vehicles competing are divided into Distribution, Long Haul, and Bus categories, with drivers participating are from all over Namibia representing big transport companies. Some of the ‘heavyweights’ will be TransNamib with five drivers, Namibia Brewries, Rossing Mine, Sunshine Tours, and City of Windhoek to mention some.
The selection process for the participating drivers was based on invitation to the company’s and parastatals, who were requested, nominate their best drivers for this event.
The competition will consist of a theory assessment, pre-trip assessment, a road assessment and an obstacle course assessment.
The seven strong judging panel will comprise top SA trucking instructors and Nampol fleet officers.
Reigning Scania Truck Driver of the Year Heinz Maletski from ‘Ekundi Farming’ transport will be back again to defend the title.
Scania Truck driver
Competition gears up
Scania Truck Namibia are hosting their second ‘Truck Driver of the Year’ competition which is a three-day contest starting today Thursday 21 August, and ending on Saturday at the Gymnasium school grounds, where over 50 of Namibia’s transporters and best truck drivers will be ‘putting foot’ to pit their driving skills for the grand title and big N$30 000 prize. (Photo Donna Collins) See Story inside.
Scania Truck Namibia is hosting the second Truck Driver of the Year Competition starting today, which has had an overwhelming entry from truck drivers and transport companies around Namibia.
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