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Brazil beckons to best driver
Page 12
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• Twelve drivers under 30 will be competing this weekend in the UK finals of Scania's Young European Truck Driver of the Year competition. The competition, launched in early spring, attracted 300 entries, which have now beer whittled down to the last 12.
The first selection—looking at all 300 entrants—was carried out by a panel of independent judges who chose 80 drivers to go forward to the next round. During this round, entrants had to demonstrate their driving skills and theoretical and road safety knowledge during one of several qualifying events.
Now the last 12 will battle It out at Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshire, with the competition covering everything from manoeuvring to fuel economy and first aid knowledge. The winner of this round will then fly to Sweden to represent the UK in the pan-European final, with the winner receiving an all-expenses VIP trip to Brazil.
This weekend's finalists are Stephen Barker from London; Matthew Curtis from Hampshire; John Glacken from Luton; David Gowland from Sunderland; Lee Graves from Hull; Darren Jukes from Newbury; Shaun Neal from Peterborough; Martin Povey from Kent; Jody Rust from Cheshire; Michael Tranter from Worcestershire; Tony Warner from Essex; and Adrian Woodward from Leicestershire.
Smile hopes the challenge will increase awareness of road safety issues in the UK, demonstrate the high levels of skill among professional drivers and improve their skill levels.
The competition, organised by the manufacturer, is also supported by the European Commission, Shell and Michelin.