Truck.Net

Springfield, Mo. – Prime, Inc. driver Ron Martin, a first-time competitor from Newcastle, Okla., took first place in the flatbed class of the Missouri Motor Carriers Association’s 42nd Annual Missouri Truck Driving Championships at the DoubleTree Westport in St. Louis, Missouri. 

 “I wanted to score better than 50 percent in the competition,” he says.  “I didn’t think I’d win!”

Held on June 5 and 6, 2009, the two-day event evaluated nearly 125 drivers on their knowledge of the industry, first aid, safety and security, and required federal vehicle inspections.  The participants were then interviewed by industry experts before entering a point-value-assessed driving skills course of six obstacles to be completed under actual everyday conditions.   

“The driving portion of the competition was very challenging,” says Martin.  “It really tested your instincts as a driver.”

The skills course showcased drivers’ ability to judge distances, maneuver tight spaces, reverse, park, and position their vehicle exactly over scales, before barriers or around curves.    

The Prime team of 11 drivers took time to practice at the company’s Millennium Complex in Springfield, Mo., before the competition.  “It was a great team effort,” says Martin.  “Several of the drivers had competed before and were really helpful in getting us prepared. We ended up doing very well as a group.”

Three other Prime drivers placed second in the competition. They were Mike Gandee, four-axle class; William "Dutch" Depre, tank truck class; and Duane Grimme, flatbed class.

As a first place finisher, Martin will represent Prime, Inc. in the American Trucking Association National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships held August 18-22, 2009, in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Founded in 1970 by Robert Low, Prime, Inc. is a refrigerated, flatbed and tanker carrier serving an international client base and operating a modern fleet of trucks. For more information on Prime’s services or career opportunities, visit www.primeinc.com.