Mack to sponsor driving skills challenge at World of Concrete event

Mack to sponsor skills challenge during World of Concrete show, being held Jan. 22-24 in Las Vegas

The Trucker News Services

1/7/2008

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. – Mack Trucks Inc. will sponsor a Driving Skills Safety Challenge during the World of Concrete show.  The event this year will be held in the Orange Lot outside the Las Vegas Convention Center Jan. 22-24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  In conjunction with Mack, Allison Transmission, Inc. will sponsor a reception for all daily contestants from 3 to 5 p.m. at the event registration tent.                                                                                                                                                  

The competition is open to any driver at least 18 years of age with a valid CDL who completes an application form, shows proof of operator training, and is registered for the show.

This year’s event features both individual and team competitions (two operators per team).    

Contestants will choose one MACK Granite model mixer to operate through a closed course set up to simulate an actual job site. Operators must complete a pre-operation safety check, successfully navigate the skills course, and then secure the truck as if it were the end of a workday. Each individual or team will have one (1) attempt.  Scoring will be based on accuracy and adherence to safety procedures. Specific scoring rules will be provided at the event. 

First-, second-, and third-place winners in both the individual and team competitions will be announced during an awards ceremony on Jan. 24 at 4:30 p.m. in the event registration tent.  In addition to trophies, the following prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in the individual competition, as well as to each operator on the top three 2-person teams:

First Place:  $500 gift certificate, a GPS navigation display (provided by Allison Transmission) and a Citizen watch.

Second Place:  $300 gift certificate

hird Place:  $100 gift certificate

All contestants will receive a Mack hat and an Allison Transmission Cutter and Buck money clip for participating in the event.

“This is our way of acknowledging and thanking a group of drivers whose professionalism and contribution to safety are not traditionally recognized in skills events,” said Tom Kelly, Mack vice president of marketing.

Mack is a member of the Volvo Group, a publicly held company headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden.  With annual sales of approximately $34 billion, Volvo business areas include heavy trucks, buses, construction equipment, marine and industrial drive systems, aerospace, and financial services.