YEEHAAAAAW!

MILEMARKER #22

A bug's last colorful thought on the windshield, the D.O.T. coming out of hibernation creeping around like rodents at a grocery warehouse, and the pale white skin screaming for sunlight and attention - exposing itself beneath a short skirt, are sure signs that Spring is in the air. If you have traveled the Midwestern region this past Winter, you probably have experienced some of our record breaking snowfall. It's been a long five months, but now we can get outdoors and rejuvenate our Winter scarred bodies.
That said, Spring is the time when truck drivers can display their skills as a professional at the 2008 Truck Driving Rodeo, or what they call it now days - The Truck Driving Championships. If a driver is considered a safe driver with no accidents or tickets, and meets the yearly criteria, he or she has the option to compete. A lot of the big trucking companies promote safety, therefore, like to get their company drivers involved in this event.
The competition starts on a state level and the winners from each class will then compete with other class State winners at the Nationals. The 2008 Nationals will be held in Houston, Texas. I recommend entering a class that you are familiar with or the class your every day rig falls under. Preparation is key to this event, because you will be competing with drivers who have been in this for 10-20 years. Later, I will tell you about my first and only appearance of two years ago. You will be graded on a written exam, a D.O.T. inspection, and a road course. All ares are timed. This is an action-packed, nerve-wracking two days. Our State event for Wisconsin is on June 20th and June 21st. You can get additional state and dates for your area at http://www.truckline.com/2k7.ntdc If you are somewhat interested, I would definitely check into it.
MY 2006 TRUCK DRIVING CHAMPIONSHIP EXPERIENCE
I received my packet of forms and a booklet a couple months prior to the competition. The first thing I did was study from the book "Truck Driving Facts" that was provided. Some of the facts were questionable at best, but what ever. I read that book about 4 times. In my spare time, which was minimal, I practiced for the different road course stations. High scoring was based on how close you came without hitting a tennis ball or lateral stick for docks, etc. That was about the extent of my preparation. I didn't know what to expect. I arrived in Appleton and checked into my room to ready myself for the two days. At 4:00PM, I took care of registration and at 5:00PM sat in on the required driver's meeting. The meeting detailed the rules and included a road course walk through. That would be the only time a driver would see the course until he or she competed. I drew a quick map to review before the next day. The written exam followed the meeting which consisted of 60 questions from that book I read 4 times. I had plenty of time left after taking the test, that I wish I hadn't. I ended up going through each question again and second guessing myself. Second guessing myself turned into changing some answers that I shouldn't have. I found that out later talking to other drivers about the test. After my first day of stress, I met my fellow drivers and associates for dinner and introduced myself to a tall cold Budweiser or four. The dinner table started to clear and drivers retreated to their rooms for R&R and to study for the next day's festivities. I decided to head to the hotel bar to prepare for my next day. I do my best thinking with an adult beverage in my hand. I knew I didn't do that well on my written exam, so I figured at least I am going to enjoy my stay. I was in bed at 11:30PM and at the road course at 6:00AM. The contestants were not allowed to watch the competition until they completed it their selves. All of the drivers were pretty much quiet sitting there with their game faces working overtime. Some of these guys are freaks with this stuff! One of our company drivers was sitting in a chair, rocking back and forth with his eyes closed, kind of in a Pilate's position. I thought, this would be a good time to ask him a question. I tapped him on the shoulder and he responded with a "talk to the hand" motion and a verbal sssssssttt! I'm thinking, he didn't just dog whisper me did he? Are you kidding me?!?! He wouldn't have given me a straight answer anyway, because I was a competitor in his same class. Being that it was my first year, I was pretty much blind and on my own. Some of these guys eat, breath, and shit this once a year trucking Championship! My only hope was "Rookie Of The Year", but I didn't foresee taking any hardware home at the end of the day. Then, my class was called for the truck inspections. That included a complete walk around and an in-cab inspection done in 7 minutes. I was half way through my inspection, when a judge hollered 1 minute left. Needless to say, I completed the in-cab, front, and passenger side of the trailer, when I pulled myself from underneath the back of the trailer. This wasn't a good thing with only 1 minute left! I still had the driver's side of the rig to complete. That was the fastest 6 minutes ever! Man, your checking lights, lug nuts, cracked springs, trailer structures, etc. All of that work and I didn't even get the inspection completed. That put a hurt'n on my score, combined with that 60 question test thing. All I had left to do was the road course. They stuck us in this trailer so you couldn't see the course, and I waited for my name to be called. Talk about silence; I thought I was at a funeral! By this time my nerves are shot and all of a sudden, I had to piss. No time for that. My name was called. The course was pretty tight and had 6 different obstacles. The hardest one (a blind side bull pen dock) was strategically placed right in front of the grandstands, so everyone could witness a driver loosing it. I did a great job without knocking over any cones or tennis balls, but I could have been more aggressive with the scoring. As far a distances, everything was a guesstimation for me. Those other guys know exact distances from any make of truck by a marking of a mirror bracket or hood. They've been doing this for years. They practice all year round. If you see a driver doing unusual stupid shit in a parking lot, they are practicing for this event. I'm not kidding you! And, I can guarantee you they have read that little fact book 100 times, and know it by heart. That dog whisperer Zen guy, he went on to win State and the Nationals for our class. Our companies prize was a use of a Hummer until next year's event. Later, I found out that this guy has won other State events, and a previous National title. My first mistake was signing up for the same class as Zen guy. I give him a lot of credit though; It takes a lot of patience and practice. Realistically, I think if a person competes 3 years straight, he or she might have somewhat of a chance to compete. Me, I didn't really have the patience or the needed practice. I graduated to 7 and 7's at the banquet dinner to put an end to my first and only experience in the Rodeo. YeeeeHaaaaw!