RTF NZ Truck Championship 2018 winner announced

Date: 27.09.2018

Road Transport Logistics driver was announced the winner of the NZ Truck Driving Championship 2018 in Dunedin

The RTF Conference 2018 taking place in Dunedin (26-27 September) also hosted the final of the 2018 NZ Truck Driving Championship at Forsyth Barr Stadium. And after an intensely competitive final, Darrin Wilson of Road Transport Logistics was announced the winner. He takes home the national championship as well as a cheque for $6000, courtesy of the event’s major sponsors, TR Group and Master Drive Services.

Talking about the final, RTF chief Ken Shirley said the competition tested competitors on their theoretical and practical knowledge as well on-road and emergency response.

"One of the things the industry is trying to achieve with this competition is an appreciation among the public of just how high the technical, practical, and theoretical knowledge is of the top drivers," he says.

Class competitions

In the class competitions Greta Campbell from Waikato Fuels 2015 Ltd took out the Class 2 competition and Andrew Crandon of McFall Fuels won the Class 4 category.

Overall winner Darrin picked up the Truck-Trailer Combination class, while John Baillie of Baillie Transport won the Tractor-Semi Combination category.

Young truck drivers in NZ

In the ERoad NZ Young Truck Driver of the Year, David Rogers of Tranzliquid successfully defended his title and took home the $1500 winner’s cheque courtesy of ERoad.

"The Young Driver of the Year category is an important event, especially in the context of the current driver shortage and the road transport’s endeavours to recruit young people into the industry," Ken says.

"The young men and women who compete in the NZ Truck Driving Championship are an illustration of the potential for career progression and professional development that exists within the industry."

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