PRIME Inc. has Huge Showing at 2004 Missouri State Truck Driving Championship
June 9, 2004
PRIME Inc., headquartered in Springfield, MO, had two drivers take home first place trophies and another win a second place trophy at the Missouri Motor Carriers Association’s (MMCA) State Truck Driving Championships over the weekend (June 4 & 5) held in Joplin, MO. Charlie Hibbard (9 yrs. with PRIME) came away with first place in the Flatbed Class. Don Sexton (7yrs. with PRIME) also snagged a first place trophy by winning the Five Axle Van Class. The second place Five Axle Sleeper Berth Class went to Duane Grimme (12 yrs. with Wil-Trans/PRIME). Charlie Hibbard and Don Sexton will be representing the State of Missouri at the National Truck Driving Championship from August 18 – 21, 2004, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Jim Austin, PRIME Inc.’s CDL Program Manager, proudly commented on the PRIME drivers’ accomplishments over the weekend. “Drivers who are serious about involving themselves in Truck Driving Championships at this level, do so out of a sense of professionalism and pride in what they do. We couldn’t ask for a better group of professional drivers that are dedicated to showing how proud they are of themselves, their industry and of their association with PRIME. I am honored to be allowed the opportunity to associate myself with such professionals,” stated Jim Austin.
The skills tests at the MMCA Truck Driving Championships were broken up into the nine following classes:
Straight Truck
3 – axle
4 – axle
5 – axle
Tank Truck
Flatbed Truck
5 – axle sleeper & auto transporter
Twins
There were 165 total drivers from all over Missouri that competed this year. PRIME entered 11 driving professionals into four classes. The competing drivers had to be accident free throughout all of last year in order to qualify. Besides driving skills, drivers were judged (by law enforcement) on appearance, industry knowledge and attitude. This competition is not a race but a closed course of precision driving measured by inches. The truck driving championships have been held for 50 years.
For additional information, call Clayton Brown at PRIME INC., 417.866.0001, extension 3102 or visit PRIME’s web site at www.primeinc.com. Professional drivers are encouraged to stop by PRIME’s terminal at the intersection of Interstate 44 and Highway 65 in Springfield, Missouri.
