Next stop Sweden and a chance to win a brand new Scania R-series truck valued at 100,000 Euros as 24-year-old County Down man Colin McKeag proves himself to be Britain’s best young truck driver by winning the UK Final of Young European Truck Driver 2010.
In finishing first, Colin McKeag fought off challenges from 11 other contenders in a gruelling two-day competition, during which he demonstrated to an independent judging panel that his eco-driving, manoeuvring, safety and judgement skills are the best in the land. As such, Colin has succeeded in lifting the coveted title of Young UK Truck Driver 2010.
The award wins Colin a cash prize of £1,000 and the opportunity to represent the UK at the competition’s European Final in Sweden over the weekend of 8/9 October. There, he will compete against fellow winners from 24 other participating European nations for the competition’s top prize of a brand new Scania R-series truck, the International Truck of the Year, valued at 100,000 Euros.
“I’ m totally over the
moon, this was totally unexpected. I thought ‘no way’, but there you go – it just shows that hard work, effort and concentration can pay off!” said a delighted Colin after receiving his prize. “I’m now looking forward to travelling to Sweden to fight for the truck!”
The 2010 UK Final was held at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire on Saturday 26 June. The finalists were the 11 highest scoring contestants in an online qualification organised by Scania (Great Britain) Limited plus William Herron also from County Down, who automatically qualified as the previous holder of the Young UK Truck Driver title.
This time around, William finished in third place, with the runner’s-up spot going to Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire, Scotland’s George Kirk. Their achievements saw them take £500 and £750 respectively. Additionally, George and William will also travel to Sweden in October to provide support for Colin in his attempt to win the truck.
Organised by Scania and supported by Michelin, the 2010 Young European Truck Driver is the world’s largest road safety and driving skills competition. The event has been designed to promote and encourage the highest standards of roadcraft and as such enjoys the endorsement of the European Union.
“I am absolutely delighted for Colin, who I am sure will do the UK proud at the competition’s grand final in Sweden,” comments Hans-Christer Holgersson, Managing Director of Scania (Great Britain) Limited. “This is the fourth time we have run the Young European Truck Driver event and competition this year has been fiercer than ever. Our contestants were all hungry for the top prize and that made for a great and hard fought contest. So my congratulations go to all our finalists – just reaching the final was a major achievement in its own right – and I now wish Colin every success when he travels to Sweden to compete for the truck!”
