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Young European Truck Driver 2010: Nerve-wracking competition in Benelux

27 July 2010 | Tags: Fuel efficient driving, Scania Driver Competitions, Scania Driver Support, Young European Truck Driver | Posted in: Events, The driver

Belgian and Dutch finalists battled it out in separate contests at the Truck Star Festival in Assen, the Netherlands. Twelve Belgian and twelve Dutch participants were put to the test, competing for tickets to the prestigious European final in Södertälje, Sweden.

This weekend’s competition venue in the Netherlands was the well-renowned Truck Star Festival in Assen. The festival celebrated its 30th anniversary this year, and the weather, the crowd and all the exhibits did their part in making it a fantastic weekend. All the main manufacturers were there, along with more than 2,000 truckers exhibiting their artwork. Scania brought two magnificent R 730s to capture visitors’ attention.

Several competitions were held during the weekend, among them the Young European Truck Driver finals for Belgium and the Netherlands. All contestants went through trials in precision manoeuvring, theory and load securing.

First up were the Belgian contestants, all of whom tried their best to manoeuvre, secure and keep calm in four different tests. When asked about the secret of success, several drivers answered, “There is no secret, you just need to stay calm and focused.” Nevertheless, the main judge grew a bit worried halfway through, saying that “several of them are driving a little too fast. They need to be calmer.”

At the end of the first day, a dazzled, happy and proud Lionnel Collette stood at the top of the podium.

During the second day, Dutch contestants stepped up to the challenge. The audience included several Belgian contestants looking to figure out what they could have done differently – and one with a very relaxed smile. The contest was a close one, in which drivers with previous YETD experience battled hard against young and hungry newcomers. Finally, Dave Roovert managed to secure first place and take the honour of representing the Netherlands in the YETD final in Södertälje.

It remains to be seen how these two do against the other finalists in Sweden, and who will go home with a brand new Scania R-series truck in October.

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