Mack Trucks Inc. will hold its annual “Driving Skills Safety Challenge” during the 2010 World of Concrete show. The Challenge gives jobsite drivers the opportunity to demonstrate their professional driving skills in a competitive setting. The competition will be held in the Silver lot No. 4 next to the Renaissance Hotel outside the Las Vegas Convention Center on Feb. 2-4.
The Challenge is open to any driver at least 18 years of age with a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL); competitors must complete an application, show proof of operator training and be registered for the show. This year’s event includes individual and team competitions (two operators per team).
Contestants will choose one Mack Granite model mixer to operate through a closed course that simulates an actual jobsite. Operators must complete a pretrip safety check and navigate the skills course successfully. Each individual will have one attempt. Scoring is based on accuracy and safe driving procedures.
Registration for the Mack Driving Skills Safety Challenge will be held on location, and specific scoring rules will be provided at the event. Complete rules for the competition can be found at www.macktrucks.com/default.aspx?pageid=2218.
The competition will be held today, Feb. 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday, Feb. 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Thursday, Feb. 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mack also will hold a reception from 3 to 5 p.m. each day for contestants.
First-, second- and third-place winners will be announced each day at the end of the competition during an awards ceremony. Mack and event co-sponsors Allison Transmission, Bridgestone and Michelin will give away more than $15,000 in prizes during the three-day competition. In addition to trophies, prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in the individual and team competitions. All contestants will receive a Mack hat, money clip and duffel bag.
“While our Mack trucks have industry-leading safety components and engineering, the most important safety component on any truck is, of course, the driver,” says Michael Reardon, Mack vice president of marketing. “The Challenge highlights the professionalism of mixer truck drivers and shows our appreciation of the awareness, knowledge and skill for safe and productive operation on a busy construction site.”