The roadeo, which began in 1988, is a competitive driving event held annually in each of ODOT's 12 districts. Contestants are scored on a pre-trip equipment inspection, a test of rules and laws pertaining to commercial driver's licenses, and their operator skills as they navigate a series of obstacles with precision and speed.
This year, Hancock and Hardin County crews excelled in both the loader and truck categories:
- First place - Austin Garman, Hardin County, with 2,075 points out of a possible 2,300 points
- Second place - John Rinker, Hancock County
- Third place - Wyatt Price, Hancock County
- First place - John Rinker, Hancock County, with 2,055 points out of a possible 2,300
- Second place - Spencer Wall, Hardin County
- Third place - Nate Greenwood, Allen County
The top two winners in each category will represent District 1 at the Director's Cup of the ODOT Truck and Loader Roadeo in Columbus in August. Rinker and Wall will compete in the truck competition, while Garman and Rinker will participate in the loader competition. Greenwood and Price earned spots as alternates.
The Allen County maintenance garage was named team champion of the roadeo, having earned the top two truck and top two loader scores for the day. The Allen crew secured the trophy with a total score of 7,075.
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"The roadeo is a chance for our operators to demonstrate their expertise in heavy equipment operation," said Chris Hughes, Deputy Director of ODOT District 1. "Each obstacle is carefully designed to simulate the challenges they face on the job, and we're proud to recognize their achievements."
