The final of Volvo Trucks New Zealand’s 2013 Drivers Fuel
Challenge saw close competition on Tuesday, but it was a southern man who came
out victorious: with Chris Foot from JPM Ltd, Dunedin, winning the
inaugural event.
Five finalists from throughout New Zealand battled it out in Palmerston North to be crowned the country’s most fuel-efficient Volvo truck driver.
The finalists drove around a 34km course twice, improving
on their results on the second round. Foot seemed to have blitzed the results
at 15.86 when Andrew Douch from Douch Transport made an amazing come back with
a 15.95 – not quite enough, however, to take first.
Volvo’s national sales manager Clive Jones called the event
an overwhelming success.
“We have been impressed with the skills and attitude of
all the competitors,” Jones says. “These guys really want to do
things right and make a real difference in their industry.
“We need drivers like to this to change the public
perception of our industry,” he explains. “Events such as the Volvo
Drivers Fuel Challenge can only serve to enhance this objective.”
“The flow on effect from having fuel efficient drivers
is huge. We know these guys have a lower average speed, cause less wear and
tear and have less accidents and incidents – all of which benefit truck
operators and other road users.
“Motor Truck Distributors are fortunate to sell Volvo Trucks to some of New
Zealand’s leading operators who take their commitment to professionalism
seriously and employ fantastic drivers,” Jones adds.
Chris Foot will now represent New Zealand in the Asia
Pacific Final of the Drivers’ Challenge in September, for a chance to win
a once in a lifetime experience – a trip to the home of Volvo in Sweden.
The NZ Drivers’ Fuel Challenge program was run by Scott
Robinson,Volvo Truck Sales, based at Motor Truck Distributors (NZ) Ltd in
Palmerston North.
Results are:
1st – Chris Foot , JPM Ltd, Dunedin – 15.86lts
2nd – Andrew Douch, Douch Transport Ltd – 15.95lts
3rd – Noel Dempsey, Freightliners – 16.97lts
4th– Steve Putt, Fonterra – 17.57lts
5th– Malcolm McGrath, Temuka Transport Ltd –
17.58lts
