RVers enjoy truck rodeo at Indiana State Fairgrounds

The RV campground at the Indiana State Fairgrounds is a great place to stay while visiting Indianapolis. It’s also a great place to see events like the Indiana Truck Driving Championships. RVers share the road with professional truck drivers and when you attend a truck rodeo you come away with renewed respect for these drivers. To be eligible for competition the driver must be accident-free the previous year and a full time truck driver. Most competitors had flawless driving records and millions of miles of accident-free travel. These events not only test driving skill but promote safety in the profession. The course problems are designed to simulate conditions drivers encounter every day. They don’t get to drive their own trucks or pull their own trailers. This is the only time you will see a WalMart driver in a UPS tractor pulling FedEx trailers. Drivers are also interviewed and judged on their attitude and character. Some of the problems include Expanded Parallel Park, Side Park, Alley Dock, Front Stop Line, Right Steer Tire, Left Turn Duck (don’ hit the duck), Straight Line Right Side Tires and Right Steer Tire Scale. Check out the video to see how these drivers tackle some of these problems. Professional drivers are great folks, like Robert Harmeyer driving for Batesville Casket Company. He was excited to compete at the event for the first time. Transportation Manager and RVer Keith McWilliams watches the event with his son Ben as they take shelter out of the rain under their 5th wheel. WalMart had their safety truck on display and many of the top name carriers were represented. The rain let up long enough for the event to proceed and the diehard fans had a great time. All you professional truck drivers I want you to know we RVers salute you for you skill and commitment to safety. Keep on truckin’ - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing