Lansing — The Michigan Trucking Association (MTA) is proud to announce the winners of the 2008 Michigan Truck Driving Championship, held June 27-28 in Lansing, Michigan.

MTA would like to express our thanks to our Premium Sponsors.
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2008 Grand Champion:  Eric Halchishak of Yellow Transportation Eric Halchishak pictured right, photographed with MTA President Matthew Brian Hitchcock, MBH Trucking, LLC Award sponsored by Great West Casualty Company

Rookie of the Year: Robert Wolford from USF Holland Robert Wolford pictured right, photographed with Phil Whitmer, Baker College Award sponsored by Baker College

Pre-Trip Inspection: Dale Ellevold of Wal*Mart Transportation Dale Ellevold pictured left, photographed with MTA President Matthew Brian Hitchcock, MBH Trucking, LLC Award sponsored by Lansing Community College – Truck Driver Training

Winners in the Straight Truck Division are:

• First Place – Robert Wolford, USF Holland
• Second Place – Gary Prater, FedEx Freight
• Third Place – Gary Siwek, UPS Cartage Service

Winners in the 3-Axle Tractor Trailer are:

• First Place – Eric Halchishak, Yellow Transportation
• Second Place – Jim Fisher, FedEx Freight
• Third Place – John Voorhies, Conway Freight

Winners in the 4-Axle Tractor Trailer are:

• First Place – Tim Brochue, Yellow Transportation
• Second Place – Rick Bailey, FedEx Freight
• Third Place – Robert Kent, Wal-Mart Transportation

Winners in the 5-Axle Tractor Trailer are:

• First Place – Greg Peterson, Gordon Food Service
• Second Place – Todd Morren, Wal-Mart Transportation
• Third Place – Thomas Jordan, FedEx Express

Winners in the Flat Bed Division are:

• First Place – Rich Hargis, Conway Freight
• Second Place – Raymond Barlow, Wal-Mart Transportation
• Third Place – Steve Bentley, Wal-Mart Transportation

Winners in the Sleeper Division are:

• First Place – Keith Colston, Conway Freight
• Second Place – Timothy Bean, R. Bean & Son Transportation, Inc.
• Third Place – Ed O'Mara, Conway Freight

Winners in the Tanker Division are:

• First Place – Dale Ellevold, Wal-Mart Transportation
• Second Place – John Kuiphof, Roadway Express
• Third Place – James Bishop, Conway Freight

Winners in the Twin Trailer Division are:

• First Place – Chris Thomas, FedEx Freight
• Second Place – Mark Duensing, FedEx Freight
• Third Place – Hubert Jimmerson, Conway Freight

Get final scores here

Participant scores were based on a written exam, a pre-trip inspection, personal interview along with the driving competition. These professional drivers compete in stopping, backing, turning and serpentine maneuvers in the same sort of trucks they drive every day. Driver scores were then combined and top three winners in each category were announced during the Banquet. First place winners may move onto the American Trucking Associations Truck Driving Championship.
 

Congratulations to all! 

Want to know more? Call Jill Skutar at (517) 321-1951.