Maschmeyer Concrete Company of Florida delivery professional Luis Martinez took the 2019 National Mixer Truck Driver Championship, staged last month during the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association ConcreteWorks 2019 conference in Kissimmee, Fla. He received a $5,000 check from NRMCA affiliate, the Truck Mixer Manufacturers Bureau, which was among 22 sponsors of an event whose record 96-driver pool tackled eight-station driving course and six-point ability challenges, plus written exam. Based in Orlando, Martinez has been driving for Maschmeyer Concrete for five years and was 2017 Florida Concrete & Products Association State Safety & Skills Competition runner up.
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| National Mixer Truck Driver Championship leaders mustered at the close of a customarily boisterous ConcreteWorks banquet; from right are first to fifth place finishers, Luis Martinez, Bruce Mitchell, Greg Browne, Michael Trierweiler and Ronald Lengyen. They represent NRMCA members from Pennsylvania and Florida to Washington and California. PHOTOS: Concrete Products |
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| Forward Stop was one of eight Driving Course Challenges, scores determined by bumper proximity to the target without crossing. Visual Vehicle Inspection was one of six Driver Ability Challenges; participants had their choice of rear or front discharge models, courtesy of two key Orlando market players. |
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| Set up along an efficient, but narrow parking expanse at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, Fla., the National Mixer Driver Championship was the first major public showing of the next generation Oshkosh S-Series, deployed for Break an Egg (background) and Chute a Hoop challenges. Of the 96 drivers on hand, 76 sunk the basketball in the latter. |
Rounding out this year’s National Mixer Driver Championship leaders, earning prizes of $400 to $2,000 from TMMB, were Runner Up, Bruce Mitchell of Ozinga Ready Mix Concrete, Gary, Ind., a 16-year veteran and reigning Indiana Ready Mixed Concrete Association rodeo champion; Third Place, Greg Browne of Miles Sand & Gravel, Olympia, Wash., a two-time Washington Aggregates & Concrete Association Rodeo champion; Fourth Place, Michael Trierweiler of Cemex USA, San Francisco, 2019 Cemex Bay Area Safety Rodeo champion; and, Fifth Place, Ronald Lengyen of Silvi Concrete, Morrisville, Pa., a 34-year veteran and Certified NRMCA Concrete Delivery Professional.
Also honored during the ConcreteWorks driver awards banquet were competitors who distinguished themselves at various National Mixer Driver Championship stages. Top “Closest to the Egg” and “Delivery Ticket” station scorers, respectively, were Russell Walton, Jr. from Howlin Concrete in Owings, Md., and Lee Basil Pierce from Argos USA in Cumming, Ga. Drivers scoring a nine at the “Bowling Station” included Henry Arrington of Cemex USA, Lakeland, Fla.; Scott Cato of Hedges Bros. Concrete, Dayton, Ohio; Andre Ferreira of Central Concrete Supply, Martinez, Calif.; Antonio Ortega of CalPortland, Glendale, Ariz.; John Poehler of Hawkeye Ready Mix, Columbus Junction, Iowa; D.J. Pusey of Cemex USA, Naples, Fla.; Kelly Rorie of Chandler Concrete, Hillsboro, N.C.; and, Stuart Wells of Vulcan Materials Co., Dundalk, Md.
Drivers were also tested for reaction time to computer simulated events. The title of “Fastest in the Nation” went to Jacob Simpson of Sequatchie Concrete Services, Ringgold, Ga. Top “Inspection Station” scorers were Victor Garcia of Maschmeyer Concrete, Orlando, and John Marzalik of VCNA Prairie, Algonquin, Ill. Bobby Bates of Thomas Concrete, Ball Ground, Ga., logged the highest written exam score and “Smartest Driver in the Room” title. The NRMCA Safety, Environmental and Operations Committee will open nominations for the 2020 National Mixer Driver Championship, September 27-28 at the Gaylord Rockies Resort, Aurora, Colo., next spring.