SA’s best UD drivers head for Japan

The annual UD Extra Mile challenge – the UD Trucks global driver competition – has arrived yet again and the winners of the South African competition have been announced.

Tatiya Sisilia, from Clover SA in Johannesburg, won the Quon category, while Chuttur Sunilduth, from Serveng Ltd Mauritius, walked away with top honours in the Quester category. They beat out 13 other fleet drivers in the two categories. For the first time, the South African event included drivers from countries outside of the country, namely Zimbabwe, Mauritius and Namibia.

Both drivers and their managers will travel to the UD Experience Centre in Ageo, Japan, in October, to compete against UD Trucks fleet drivers from around the world.

“Worldwide, transportation companies are facing a severe challenge: a lack of skilled drivers. Our goal is to help our customers attract good drivers and to make each one of them an ‘ultimate’ driver. Ultimate drivers save fuel and operational costs, care about the truck, the cargo and the environment. They also put safety first at all times,” says Gert Swanepoel, MD of UD Trucks Southern Africa.

Now in its fourth year, the UD Extra Mile Challenge is not only about technical ability, but also focuses on the mindset of the drivers. The competition encourages drivers to think more commercially by highlighting the trade-offs between speed, delivery time, fuel efficiency, safety and smooth driving.

The competition uniquely simulates a typical transport cycle from pre-inspection, fuel efficiency and safe driving to parking skills – all of which evaluate a driver’s skill to business reality.

“We wish both drivers all the best and know they will do us, their companies and the region proud,” concludes Swanepoel.

Results of UD Extra Mile Challenge Southern Africa

Quon Category

• Tatiya Sisilia, Clover SA
• Thembela Sithela, Dairy Farmers of SA
• Norman Zwane, Air Products (SA)

Quester Category

• Chuttur Sunilduth, Serveng Ltd Mauritius
• Robson Chazuka, Irvine’s Zimbabwe
• Benedict Mabunda, Vital Fleets