Two local drivers and their managers will be heading off to Japan in April 2020 to compete in UD Trucks’ global Extra Mile Challenge driver competition finals against competitors from around the world.
This follows the staging of the local Southern African leg of the Extra Mile Challenge where 19 fleet drivers competed in either the Quester or Quon categories. While all finalists did exceptionally well, the two that took the podium were Cornel van der Westhuizen from Grain Carriers, who won on the Quon category, and Cederic Matthyse from Darling Romery who walked away with the title of Best Quester Driver.
The UD Extra Mile Challenge is now in its fifth year and tests all aspects of a driver’s everyday experiences from pre-inspection to fuel efficiency, safe driving and parking skills. This year’s competition encouraged drivers to think more commercially by highlighting the trade-offs between speed, delivery time, fuel efficiency, safety and smooth driving.
“Through this competition we aim to help enhance driver capability and reinforce confidence not only in their own abilities but also in the UD Trucks products they drive every day,” says Gert Swanepoel, managing director of UD Trucks Southern Africa. “We wish the two winning drivers all the best and know they will do South Africa proud!”
Results of UD Extra Mile Challenge Southern Africa
Quon Category
- Cornel van der Westhuizen – Grain Carriers.
- Sipho Khoza, VKB – Qpro Foods.
- Ndivhuwo Mudau – EPX Couriers.
Quester Category
- Cederic Matthyse – Darling Romery.
- John Mlambo – AfriSam.
- George Sinyonde – WE R 3 Transport.
Editor’s Footnote: It seems that Grain Carriers is doing something very right with its drivers. Not only did Cornel van der Westhuizen win the Quon Category in the UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge but another of its drivers, Simon Le Roux, was one of the top ten finalists in the 2019 Hollard Highway Heroes driver competition. Well done Grain Carriers.
