Chichester Resident is State Truck Driving Champion

Nine Drivers Continue on to National Competition This Week

PEMBROKE, N.H., Aug. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- George Orchard, of Chichester, was named the best professional truck driver in New Hampshire after winning the five-axle sleeper competition and receiving the highest overall score in the nine competing categories at the 2011 New Hampshire Truck Driving Championships. The annual event is sponsored by New Hampshire Motor Transport Association.

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Orchard, who drives for Wal-Mart Transportation, now qualifies to compete in the American Trucking Associations' National Truck Driving Championships August 9-13, 2011 in Orlando, Fla. — also known as the "Super Bowl of Safety." The winners from each of the eight other categories are also eligible to compete in the national championship.  

Nearly 400 drivers from all 50 states will compete in Orlando for four days, challenging their driving skills, and knowledge of safety, equipment and the industry. From 18-wheeler five axle sleepers to tank trucks to twin trailers—they will drive a course that recreates situations truck drivers face daily. These maneuvers may include: an alley dock, a rear line stop, a side park, a scale stop, a right turn, a front line stop, and straight line driving through a diminishing clearance.

On Saturday night, August 13, one contestant will drive away as the 2011 National Grand Champion Truck Driver.

"The Truck Driving Championships represent the culmination of the industry's passion and dedication to safety," said New Hampshire Motor Truck Association President Bob Sculley. "I congratulate all the contestants and I hope New Hampshire roots for our drivers as they move on to Nationals in Orlando."

New Hampshire participants at Nationals for each category include:

George Orchard, Wal-Mart Transportation, Chichester, N.H. (Five-Axle Sleeper)

Andrew James, FedEx Ground, Derry, N.H. (Step Van)

Mickey Rafeal, YRC, Pittsfield, N.H. (Twins)

Mark Bailey, Wal-Mart Transportation, Springdale, Maine (Flatbed)

Chris Le Mauk, Deerfield, N.H. (Tankers)

Rick Wickman, YRC Worldwide, Epsom, N.H. (Four-Axle)

Larry Dumont, YRC, Rochester, N.H. (Five-Axle)

Neil Nogues, YRC, Franklin, N.H. (Three-Axle)

Marvin Sowers, Concord, N.H. (Straight Truck)

ATA's Truck Driving Championships include top professional truck drivers from around the nation competing at state and regional levels to make it to the national competition Aug. 9-13 in Orlando, Fla.  The NTDC annually attracts over 2,000 cheering friends, family, colleagues and spectators. For more information, visit the 2011 National Truck Driving Championships website: http://www.truckline.com/Federation/Councils/slpmc/NTDC/Pages/Default.aspx

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight.   Follow ATA on TrucksBringIt on Twitter and Facebook.

The American Trucking Associations, including New Hampshire Motor Transport Association, leads the effort for safer highways, focusing on greater education, enforcement and enhancement of traffic safety laws for all drivers.  www.truckline.com

SOURCE American Trucking Associations