Truck drivers can manoeuvre a big rig around obstacles, traffic and still get their freight delivered on time.
But can they run an obstacle course with crazy activities in front of a crowd and beat the clock?
Gord Baird of Challenger Motor Freight thinks so, especially if they are raising money for the children of Special Olympics.
Baird, together with co-workers Todd Hallissey and Leonard Taylor, created the Trucker’s Olympics, a fun event that puts truck drivers through their paces to have a laugh and support a good cause.
“This is the first year we’ve come up with the idea,” said Baird, who agreed to take on the games on behalf of his organization. “We are a big company and we are community involved.”
Baird said he has been representing Challenger at the Fergus Truck Show for 14 years, and when he was asked to create the event and run with it, he was excited.
“The Truck Show has dwindled over the years, due to the economy,” said Baird. “Whatever we can do to help the drivers participate and give back to the truckers and the children, I’m happy to do it. My company backs me one hundred per cent on this event.”
Baird said the Trucker’s Olympics, to be held on July 27, will consist of two-man teams performing a series of relay events including such things as a tire run, rolling tires around pylons, chaining-up winter tires, log cutting and other challenges.
Perhaps the most fun will be the “redneck horseshoes,” where drivers will face a toilet seat, with a mannequin seated on it, and the goal will be to “ring the dispatcher.”
“We came up with a few ideas and tried some in our yard,” said Baird, explaining how the relay events were devised.
“We’re still working out some bugs, but hopefully will be all up on it. We’re happy where it is right now.”
The participants will be timed and prizes will be awarded for the top three times. The winners will receive transport truck steer tires, two sets of Michelin and two sets of Goodyear tires. Second and third place teams will be given medals.
Registration for the Trucker’s Olympics will take place at the truck show. Participation costs $10 per person, with all proceeds going to Special Olympics.
“Leonard and Todd did the Special Olympics convoy last year, so we decided to put the proceeds of our event to Special Olympics this year,” explained Baird, noting that if the event continues, the goal is to pick a children’s charity each year to support.
“We’ll have Special Olympic athletes there to help take part in the events,” said Baird, who hopes to make them feel included throughout the event.
“We’re all out for the kids and we’re all out for having fun. That’s the main thing, to have fun,” Baird said.
The event will include entertainment, a snack bar, raffle draws for trucking accessories from chrome shops and apparel companies, and a 50/50 draw for truckers to win a weekend at next year’s Fergus Truck Show.
Later in the day, Baird is organizing a tug of war between truck drivers and members of the Ministry of Transportation and Wellington County OPP.
Baird is hoping the Trucker’s Olympics will be a success, both in raising funds for charity, but also in creating that sense of community that truck drivers enjoy at the truck show. Ideally, he would like to see the event grow and become part of the tradition.
“I love doing the Fergus Truck Show. I’d like to see it grow and if this is going to see it grow, I’m more than happy to do it.”
