This year the two UK entries included a driver that also got through to the final last year, after being the 2nd placed driver in the UK national league 2009. Graham Huxley and Stephen Hornsby, both from Clarke International based in Alfreton near Derby, were treated to the all-expenses paid event, which again took place at the Mercedes-Benz factory in Worth, Germany.
Left to Right: Darren Collins FleetBoard UK, Graham Huxley, Steve Hornsby Clarke International Ltd
The UK and South African drivers' were given a left-hand-drive practice session on the Friday before the main event on Saturday. This was essential for them to familiarise themselves with the controls being ‘on the wrong side’, in addition to driving on the right hand side of the road.
This year the focus of the live exercises, that the contestants were judged on, was even more on efficient and economical driving. They included a ‘retarder only’ braking exercise and a 4 wheel drive Mercedes Zetros off-road driving challenge with fuel consumption also being measured towards the score. There was a short drive around the factory grounds in an articulated Actros V8, a test against the clock, which called for precise use of all controls as time and fuel consumption were being monitored, and then a much longer 60 km drive on public roads where the aim was to achieve the best FleetBoard grade possible.
All of the drivers' gave peak performances and took the competition to a whole new level during this year's event which coincides with the tenth anniversary of FleetBoard. Due to the high standard and quality of the driving, all of the drivers were able reduce their CO2 emissions by an additional 1%, which corresponds to approximately one additional tonne of CO2 per year per truck.
The day culminated in the luxurious Mercedes-Benz Customer Centre just opposite the main factory buildings, where the prize giving took place. Steve Hornsby achieved 8th position and Graham Huxley was placed 5th - a fantastic improvement on his 13th place in the previous year's event.
Steve Hornsby receiving his 8th place certificate and Allianz travel kit for truckers courtesy of Allianz Versicherungs-AG.
Congratulations not only to our UK entries for their fantastic efforts and for representing our country brilliantly, but also to the overall winner of the competition, Karsten Krüger from the company Doego Fruchthandel in Germany who walks away with a trip for two to Madrid, courtesy of UTA, including tickets to the European Championship Truck Race on 3rd October.
The atmosphere of this year's nail-biting event was electrifying and we look forward to next year's TRUCKERMANIA!
To read the full Drivers' League final 2010 press release click here.
Further information about the Drivers' League can be found at www.driversleague.com
All together now - FleetBoard Drivers' League finalists 2010
