An Interview with Two Florida Truck Driving Championship Medalists

A whole lot of truck drivers say they’re the perfect at what they do. However there’s just one place the place they will check that declare; The Truck Driving Championships. Yearly, 1000’s of drivers apply to compete on the TDC, however solely a choose few make it. The drivers who do make it compete in quite a few challenges, hoping to position first, second, or third of their respective classes. (3-axle, 4-axle, 5-axle, sleeper berth, tanker, and many others.) 

This yr, in the course of the Florida Truck Driving Championship, two of the three podium inserting drivers had extra in widespread than the win they secured. These two drivers not solely work for a similar provider, however are father and son. Richard Maylon, who got here in 2nd, and his son Joey, who positioned third, are each auto haulers with Drive My Approach shopper, Hansen & Adkins. 

We had been in a position to discuss with Richard and Joey about their expertise on the Florida Truck Driving Championship. Right here’s what they needed to say. 

Are you able to inform us what this expertise on the Florida Truck Driving Championship was like?

Richard: The TDC is a superb expertise. I like the way it brings drivers from all totally different corporations collectively and challenges us by making use of the every day work of being a truck driver right into a aggressive setting. 

Joey: The TDC expertise is a superb ambiance stuffed with expert professionals. Though we had been all there to compete, there was an actual sense of comradery among the many drivers from all of the totally different corporations. 

Have you ever ever competed in a truck driving competitors like this earlier than? If that’s the case, did you place or was this your first time?

Richard: This was my second time competing. I competed in 2019 however didn’t place. 

Joey: This was my first time competing. 

In your opinion, what was probably the most troublesome a part of the check?

Each: The driving course was difficult for the auto haulers.  Our auto haulers deal with just a little in a different way than the opposite vehicles that compete. 

How did Hansen & Adkins put together you for the competitors?

Each: Hansen & Adkins gave us written supplies to review and allowed us time to follow on a driving course. They teamed us up with veterans that helped put together us for what to anticipate on the TDC. 

Are you planning on competing subsequent yr?

Each: Sure, we each plan to compete once more subsequent yr if given the chance. 

Anything you’d like so as to add?

Richard: I’m really grateful to Hansen & Adkins for giving us the chance to compete. 

Joey: Total, I loved the occasion and was grateful to be part of it. Being a first-time competitor, I used to be not sure of what to anticipate, however I constructed many friendships on the competitors that hopefully final for years to come back. 

Whereas this was the primary time that Richard and Joey have positioned within the competitors, it’s not the primary time a Hansen & Adkins driver has positioned. Anthony Muni, Regional Supervisor for the Hansen & Adkins Jacksonville terminal had this to say, 

This would be the third yr that Hansen & Adkins drivers have positioned within the Florida Truck Driving Championship. The primary yr, we took 1st and threerd place. Second yr, we took 1st and received the inspection class. This yr, we had 4 nice drivers representing Hansen & Adkins and are happy with Richard and Joey for putting.

As an organization, we stay up for this occasion yearly. We search nothing however our greatest drivers, like Richard and Joey to symbolize us. As a way to take part, drivers should have zero accidents, no cargo injury and nil shifting violations to fulfill our necessities to take part.  

For extra data on the Florida Truck Driving Championship and the NTDC, you’ll be able to go to their web site right here.  

In case you’re fascinated with CDL jobs with Hansen & Adkins, you’ll be able to go to this hyperlink under.