RALEIGH - The best heavy equipment operators in the
N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will square off on August 15 at the
State Fairgrounds for the annual Equipment Operators Roadeo.
The winners from local roadeos held earlier this year in each of the
14 NCDOT highway divisions across the state will gather in Raleigh to showcase
their individual skills in heavy equipment operation.
Six obstacles will be set up to test their skills in operation of single
axle, tandem axle and lowboy trucks, as well as motor graders, backhoes and
tractors. Competitors will be tested on backing, maneuvering around those obstacles,
as well as locating safety defects, and other situations which reflect their
daily challenges. The event
focuses on safe and skillful operation of equipment, while helping boost morale
among the contestants as they engage in friendly competition with co-workers
from across the state.
Winners of this event will represent North Carolina in the Southeastern
Regional competition, which will be held in West Virginia later this year.
NCDOT won one individual title in last year's regional event in Asheville, and
finished fourth overall behind Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi.