2006 National Truck Driving Championships

Nearly 400 top professional truck drivers from all across the United States soon will be heading for New Orleans to compete in the 2006 National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC) to be held Aug. 15 to 19 in New Orleans' Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The "Super Bowl of Safety" is hosted annually by American Trucking Associations.

The NTDC contestants are the state champions in eight truck classes from all 50 states. In their respective classes -- from 18-wheeled five-axle sleepers to tank trucks to twin trailers to straight trucks and more -- they will compete for four days, challenging their driving skills, and knowledge of safety, equipment and the industry. The skills course tests drivers' ability to judge distances, maneuver tight spaces, reverse, park, and position their vehicle exactly over scales, before barriers or around curves.

When it is all over on Saturday, Aug. 19, a new National Grand Champion Truck Driver will be named, as well as individual class champions and a state champion team. Collectively, these drivers represent over 400 million accident-free miles of driving.

The NTDC annually attracts more than 100 volunteers and 2,000 cheering friends, family, colleagues and interested spectators. All indications show that 2006 in New Orleans will be no different.

"The outpouring of support for New Orleans by truck drivers, their companies and their families captures the spirit of our nation. Having our premier safety event in this hard-hit city demonstrates the industry's confidence in and commitment to the city's recovery. We encourage everyone to join us in New Orleans and experience the thrill of seeing expert driving at its best," said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves.

Referring to the trucking industry's relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, Cathy Gautreaux, executive director of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association said: "From day one, the call went out for trucks and the state trucking associations, ATA, and trucking companies from all over America responded immediately. We welcome the opportunity to thank them personally in the very place they helped us so much."

The event is held simultaneous with the North American Inspectors Championships, the annual competition of commercial vehicle inspectors.

Corporate sponsors include: ABF Freight System, Inc.; Boeing Company; Con-way, Inc., Con-way Expedite, Con-way Freight, Conway Truckload; FedEx, FedEx Custom Critical, FedEx Express, FedEx Freight, FedEx Ground, FedEx Supply Chain Services; Jevic Transportation, Inc.; Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.; Red Wing Shoe Company; Roadway Express, Inc.; SwitchQuick LLC; UPS Freight; Wal-Mart Transportation, LLC; Watkins Motor Lines, Inc.; Yellow Transportation. Other sponsors include: C & S Wholesale Services; Frito-Lay, Inc.; Herzig Hauling, LLC; J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc.; McKee Foods Corporation; and Publix Supermarkets, Inc. In addition to corporate sponsors, the following will be providing equipment for the competition: Freightliner Corp., Groendyke Transport, Inc., International Truck & Engine, Inc., Mack Trucks Inc., Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co., Volvo Truck North America, and Wabash National Corp. through local dealers like Empire Truck Sales, Idealease, and Parish Truck Sales. Also contributing are the State Trucking Associations in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington.

--- Downloadable photos of the competition and lists of champions are available at http://ntdc.truckline.com (click "About NTDC" in right column). Local press can also contact Cathy Gautreaux, Louisiana Motor Transport Association, 225-928-5682.