Truck Driving Championships

Drivers from across the state met in Topeka to compete in the 2011 Kansas Professional Truck Driving Championships June 17 and 18. Nine classes of competition took part in a personal interview, a vehicle inspection, a written test and a six-part driving challenge.

Registration began early Friday morning at the Maner Conference Center in Topeka. Contestants received an orientation with their class coordinator and then took a 40 question written test, participated in a personal interview and conducted a vehicle inspection. At the same time, spouses of the competitors were treated to a tour of Downtown Topeka, where they made candles and chocolate. Opening ceremonies were held Friday afternoon with a total of 67 drivers taking part. The Step Van and the Straight Truck Drivers took to the course Friday afternoon. Competitors, guests and judges later enjoyed the Capitol Plaza Mexican buffet.

Storms passed through the area over night and blew over the tents and destroyed a couple. Luckily the storms didn’t delay competition. The Sleeper berth class started the day off on time and the competition moved right along. After scores were tabulated, the awards banquet was held Saturday evening in the Maner Conference Center. Presentation of the awards were made by Dan Ridder, KTDC Chairman and Sherwin Fast, KMCA President.

An award started in 2003 honored the contestant who received the highest score on the written exam. This award is sponsored by Doug & Margie Pohl of Bel Mont Farms, Wathena. This year Doug and Margie also sponsored a second and third place trophy. The written exam is a challenging and important segment of the competition and emphasizes that a professional driver’s skill is not just in operating a truck but includes making important informed decisions that will affect their safe operation on the highways. The award recognizes the contestant exhibiting an understanding of all aspects of the trucking industry by knowledge of the trucking industry’s general information, safety rules, fire fighting, and first aid. With his perfect score on the written exam Don Logan, FedEx Freight, took home the first place trophy. Jay Miller, FedEx Freight, took home the second place and Stevan Dixon, from Wal-Mart Stores took home the third place.

The Kansas Safety Management Council also presented a special plaque to the contestant who did the most outstanding job with the vehicle inspection competition. Jeff Thompson, FedEx Freight, took home a trophy and a $250 cash prize from the Kansas State Troopers Association.

The Field Test award recognizes the driver who maneuvered the course and scored the highest number of points. Jeff Thompson, FedEx Freight, was the recipient of the top score in the Field Test.

The Ronald E. Williams Rookie of the Year Award is given to the first-year contestant who displays an outstanding attitude, cooperative spirit, community interest, good driving record, industry awareness and a good driving performance. The competition for this award was strong this year with 8 rookies entered in the 2011 Truck Driving Championships. The 2011 Rookie of the Year honor went to Timothy Helus, FedEx Freight.

Following the presentation of these awards, individual class winners and winner of the overall team trophy were announced. There were 10 companies in contention for the team trophy this year. The top three drivers from each of these 10 companies are stacked up against each other to determine the highest point total for the entire competition. Companies included Convoy Systems LLC, Con-way Freight, Fed Ex Freight, Fed Ex Ground, Frito-Lay Transportation, Old Dominion Freight Lines, UPS Freight, USF Holland, Wal-Mart Transportation LLC and YRC. This year’s team trophy winner was FedEx Freight for a fifth consecutive year.

The 2011 Grand Champion driver was Jeff Thompson with FedEx Freight. He had the highest point total overall including a fi rst place in the Vehicle Inspections and Top Field Test. He has been driving professionally for over 33 years, 25 of those with FedEx Freight, and has accumulated more than 3.8 million safe driving miles.

The following class champions will represent Kansas at the National Truck Driving Championships in Orlando, FL, in August: Jay Miller in the straight truck class, Joe Trifi letti in the three-axle van class, Gary Harms in the fouraxle van class, Don Kendall in the fi ve-axle van class, Don Logan in the fi ve-axle tank class, Jeff Thompson in the five axle flatbed class, Jeff Davis in the fi ve-axle sleeper class, Clifford McConico in the twin trailers class, and Dean Harris in the step van class.

Congratulations to all of of the winners, and good luck to all of our competitors as they compete in the 74th annual National Truck Driving Championships.

2011 KTDC Class Winners
Team Championship: FedEx Freight, Harrisonville, AR
Grand Champion: Jeff Thompson, FedEx Freight
Rookie of the Year: Timothy Helus, FedEx Freight
Vehicle Inspection: Jeff Thompson, FedEx Freight
Written Test:
First: Don Logan, FedEx Freight
Second: Jay Miller, FedEx Freight
Third: Stevan Dixon, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s tournament a success.