Trucker Rodeos

Some companies hold them also try truck shows.

 

Don't do it myself but we have a ton of drivers who participate every year and I worked with a driver that was the grand champion one year.

Con-way wants drivers to participate and is a huge supporter of the TDC (even the hardest union Con-way despiser's acknowledge this) so I know a little. These guys put in a lot of practice setting up cones for the different maneuvers but they all say the pre-trip will make or break your chances no matter how good you are on the course. There are different categories like 5 axle sleeper, twins (doubles), tanker, and straight truck that all start at state level and go onto nationals. When you actually perform on the course you do not use your own equipment - in other words if you drive for Con-way and are competing in the doubles class they'll give you a FedEx Freight Volvo and set whereas if you work for UPS Parcel you might get a Con-way Freight set since the equipment would be unfamiliar to you making it harder.

It all starts at the state level so I would start by finding out how to sign up through your states trucking association site if your company does not offer you the information. Since I live in Pa, I googled "Pennsylvania truck driving championships" and the first thing that came up was a PDF from the PMTA offering information about the event and forms to sign up.

Not my thing but I have a ton of respect for my co-workers who compete and they all say it's one hell of a good time. Hope that helps a little..

 

Pre trip is the hardest part! It is done by the book so if it's not something you would normally do "BY THE BOOK" it will not be "fixed" to fail! BUT learn other things in the same areas of the inspection! Also think dirty! Engines around the turbo, hoses, power steering pump and gear box and other things where fluids should be INSIDE not on the outside, windows, wiper blades, mirrors and lights!

 

I participated last year at the Texas state championships. It was my first roadeo and I really enjoyed it, despite the rainy weather!

It was an all day affair, from checking in and getting your number, having breakfast, and waiting around to take your turn, all the way through lunch and almost dinner. Everyone stayed until it was all over and they announced the finalists.

My company is a member of the ATA so that is how/why we participate. Jakebrake covered it - bottom line just check with your state ATA as far as participation.

In Texas we had to take a 100 question test - mutliple choice and true false; followed by a pre-trip which was conducted by the State Patrol - the trucks were pre-rigged with discrepancies. As an example they had placed a bag over one of the brake chambers to represent something being wrong. You can get a study guide for the test. It covers everything from the history of trucking and regulations to rules of the road.

The driving course seemed simple enough. It was just driving and trying to get as close as you could to the tennis balls which were set up on little tripods. The closer you got the more points you received. If you knocked over a ball they did not score you on that particular part.

If you plan on attending check with some of the local companies in your area and see if they will let you practice with them. As an example, FedEx in Grand Prairie had the course set up on their property. Roadway, Yellow, FedEx, and other carriers practiced together leading up to the championships. This will let you practice in several different types of trucks and improve your chances.

 

We do this every year here (County School District). This will be my first year competing in the rodeo, and I can't wait. I've did the skills course and the precision driving course and passed 100%. Of course school buses are different than a tractor trailer, but the notion is the same. I could do both courses in a tracotr with no trouble what so ever. Some things we never seem to forget. Kinda like riding a bike.........

 

I helped a Chevron driver get ready but we all did. We were proud that he came from our area and we didn't care if he was from another company. The gasoline industry does their own and backing was one of the hardest with the super tankers. The company would sponser the drivers and the better companies would pay for the driver and his wife to stay at a very good hotel. If you can qualify then you'll come out a better driver.