Turners Driver of the Year 2017 – The Results
Our annual competition has grown in 2017 with the introduction of our Container Division from Felixstowe. This in addition to our six temperature controlled divisions meant we started 2017’s competition with over 800 drivers.
Since the start of the year each driver has had to qualify through three rounds to reach this year’s final held at our Newmarket headquarters on Saturday June 10th.
Their weekly driving performance, Compliance, Safety, Road sign and general knowledge from the DSA Class 1 theory test have all been included to determine which driver is the most professional and would represent their depot in this year’s Final.
Our Finalists were:
John Murray – Glasgow
Michal Sieg – Donington (2016 Winner)
Rod Blowers – Bicker
Atilla Imre Nagy – Felixstowe
Nigel Buckle – CricK
Mateusz Pekala – Exning
Erik Gmajner – Spalding / Selby (2016 Runner-up)
Our seven finalists faced four challenges on the day, each designed to test their knowledge, driving & safety standards, manoeuvring skills and overall professionalism. The Road test: A 45 minute test route in a fully loaded Mercedes Actros and Container combination. The challenge to achieve the best MPG on the route.
Our training truck and trailer was adapted with a number of faults that each driver had to locate within a 20 minute period. This follows the standard procedure that every Turners driver undertakes before starting their journeys.
The Road Sign & Road markings exam: A comprehensive test for each driver to name and explain the meaning of 40 UK Road signs and markings in a 45 minute period.
The Manoeuvring challenge: As with 2016 we threw in a curve ball for this element by using a CF DAF unit with a positive rear steer Milk Tanker, something neither finalist would have experienced. Each had a practice run through the tight and restrictive circuit and suffered 10 second penalties for hitting bollards or spilling water from a strategically located bucket on the rear trailer bogie mudguards! This was a time trial with the quickest winning and proved the trickiest of the four events.
I would like to thank our Sponsors for their support in contributing towrads the prizes for our finalists. Robert Baxter – Chassis Cab Ltd East Anglia’s DAF dealer. Rob Dale – Orwell Truck and Van Ltd East Anglia’s Mercedes Benz commercail vehicle dealer. Smartdrive, Turners chosen Camera tecnology supplier. Isotrak, Turners chosen telematics specialist.
The prizes included:
Winner- £2000 in Holiday vouchers + Executive Mercedes watch + Champagne + DAF and Mercedes Driver bags.
Runner up - £750 in Holiday vouchers + Executive watch + Champagne + DAF and Mercedes driver bags.
Third place- £500 in Holiday vouchers + Executive watch + Champagne + DAF and Mercedes driver bags.
Remaining Finalists- £250 in Holiday vouchers + Champagne + DAF and Mercedes driver bags.
And the Winner was...
Erik Gmajner from Spalding
Erik pictured receiving his Winners’ Cup and prizes from Stephen Blackmore.
Runner up – Michal Sieg - Donington
Third Place – Rod Blowers - Bicker
Our Finalists
From the left to the right
John Murray
Nigel Buckle
Atilla Imre Nagy
Erik Gmajner
Rod Blower
Mateusz Pekala
Michal Sieg
Our congratulations go to all our finalists who have set the highest of standards, not only for this competition but in their day to day duties. These levels of professionalism are an example to other drivers and the Transport industry as a whole.
Finally I would like to thank everyone who helped throughout the competition and on the Final day.
If you would like any further information on our competition please do not hesitate to contact me, so until 2018...
Stephen Blackmore
Fuel Management and Driver Safety Programme Team.
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Mobile: 07872 841670
Landline: 01638 721335