Scania launches Young European Truck Driver 2007

The challenge to find the UK's top young truck driver is on once again as Scania's Young European Truck Driver competition returns for a third time in 2007.  The reward for the ultimate winner of the UK-leg of the event will be a place at the competition's grand European Final to be held in Sweden over the weekend of 21-22 September.  There, he or she will compete against fellow drivers from across the European Union plus Norway, Switzerland and Turkey for the ultimate prize of a Scania R-series truck.

In order to represent the UK at the European Final, the winning contestant will have to thoroughly prove their driving and road safety skills through a rigorous series of national tests as the competition progresses.

The process begins with registration, which must be completed by 11 May.  All young C+E licence holders born in 1972 or later who are citizens of the European Union, Norway Switzerland or Turkey and are in full time employment as an LGV driver in the UK are invited to participate by completing a registration form.  These can be obtained from Scania dealers or any trade events attended by Scania, such as the Commercial Vehicle Show and Truckfest. 

Once registered, entrants will be invited to complete an application form which includes a multiple-choice driving and road safety theory test plus a tie-break question. 

Successful contestants in this phase of the competition will then go forward to one of two qualifying events being held at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire over the weekend of 7-8 July, where their practical driving and road safety skills and theoretical knowledge will be put to the test. 

The top placed competitors at the qualifying events will return to Gaydon on Sunday 15 July to participate in the UK National Final, the event where the UK's representative for the European Final will be decided.

"As well as many valuable prizes to be won, the Young European Truck Driver competition gives contestants an ideal opportunity to focus on improving and developing their driving and road safety skills," comments Dan Hoij, Managing Director of Scania (Great Britain) Limited.  "Scania has a long-held interest in promoting road safety issues and I would therefore recommend and encourage every eligible LGV driver to participate in the competition."

Young European Truck Driver 2007

Organised by Scania in conjunction with co-sponsors Shell, Michelin and the International Road Union, more than 20,000 young drivers from across Europe are expected to enter the Young European Truck Driver 2007 competition.  As a scheme designed to promote and enhance driving skills and road safety, the event has the endorsement and backing of the European Union.

To be eligible for entry drivers must be:

• Born in 1972 or later
• A citizen of the European Union, Norway, Switzerland or Turkey
• A holder of a C+E LGV licence
• Working full time as an LGV driver

The prizes:

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top placed three entrants at each of the UK qualifying events and the UK National Final.  At the European Final, the following prizes will be awarded:

Overall winner:  A Scania R-series truck valued at 100,000 Euros.
First runner-up: 'MotoGP and Michelin' – a visit to the final round of the 2007 championship in Valencia, Spain (2-4 November)
Second runner-up: A visit to Maranello, the home of Ferrari.  The trip includes a tour of the plant where the company's successful Formula One and road cars are built plus visits to the Ferrari test track and historic Galleria museum.