Held each year in May at Bessemer's Debardelaben Park, the Alabama Truck Driving Championships are an exciting, family event that pits the industry's best drivers against one another in a test of road knowledge and driving skill. The championships recognize the association's best drivers in eight different classes, and each member company can enter up to two drivers in each class. In order to compete in the championships, a driver must be accident-free for the previous 12-month period and work for an association member company.
The competition is scored by points given in each of four different areas. A written exam can earn up to 40 points, a personal interview is worth a maximum of 10 points, a pre-trip inspection earns up to 50 points with 10 bonus points available, and the all-important skills course is worth a maximum of 300 points. Contestants earning the most points in each class are declared champion.
Winners in each class who qualify can then go on to represent Alabama in the National Truck Driving Championships sponsored by the American Trucking Associations in August. Classes include straight truck, twins, three-axle van, four-axle van, five-axle van, sleeper birth, flatbed and tanks.
These gentlemen recived top honors in this competition:
Frank Connell
Mike Sheffield
Bob Brousseau
