- DAF UK and Ireland Driver Challenge seeks nations' ‘best-of-the-best’ truck drivers
- Initial online evaluation expected to attract hundreds of entrants
- Ten regional heats followed by 20 elite drivers competing in grand final
- “The DAF UK and Ireland Driver Challenge pulls no punches,” Phil Moon, Marketing Manager, DAF Trucks
The DAF UK and Ireland Driver Challenge is back for 2024
The DAF UK and Ireland Driver Challenge returns for 2024 – DAF Trucks’ multi-stage search to find the nations' very best commercial vehicle drivers. The fourth edition of the driving competition follows a highly successful event in 2022 when Colin Court emerged as the pre-eminent driver and crowned DAF UK and Ireland DAF Driver Challenge Champion.
The event is now being promoted via the dedicated online platform: https://drivers.daf.com/en-gb
Regional heats will be followed by a tough two-day final in the autumn
Again, this year, and following a stringent selection process, an elite group of 20 finalists will battle it out at a two-day final in the autumn. To ensure a level playing field, and that the final contenders are a true reflection of the nation’s very best drivers, the DAF Driver Challenge is open to drivers (with a clean C+E licence) of any vehicle marque.
Following an initial online registration process – including assessments on road knowledge and an understanding of the CV industry – selected drivers will be invited to one of ten regional heats around the UK and Ireland.
The champion driver will also progress to the International DAF Driver Challenge in 2025
A final selection of 20 drivers will then go head-to-head in a series of challenging practical and knowledge-based appraisals; the winner being crowned DAF UK and Ireland Driver Champion. Under the direction of DAF driving experts, Mandy Wannerton and Ron Smith, on- and off-road driving challenges will be scored alongside theory and knowledge-based assessments.
The champion driver will also progress to the Europe-wide DAF Driver Challenge in 2025 which, following similar local country events, sees drivers from across the continent gather for a major international competition.
“The DAF UK and Ireland Driver Challenge pulls no punches,” said Phil Moon, Marketing Manager at DAF Trucks, “it’s a tough evaluation of all aspects of life as a professional driver. Entrants will need to demonstrate exemplary levels of driving, of course, but they’ll need to show a deep understanding of the law, safety and the transport sector more widely. The winner can justly claim to be the best of the best – regardless of the make and model of their own vehicle.”
Finalists will undertake on- and off-road driving challenges and will be scored alongside theory and knowledge-based assessments
“From the reaction in 2022,” he said, “we’re expecting a huge response to the initial online application process.
After his victory in 2022, Colin Court said, “Anyone who wants to enter the DAF Driver Challenge, do it! You’ll learn something, your skills you might pass onto someone else, and it’s just a fun, fantastic weekend with like-minded people. It’s great!”
