Winners of the 2022 DAF UK Driver Challenge announced

Colin Court, a cement driver at Hanson Cement, has been announced as the winner of the 2022 DAF UK Driver Challenge.

Court was announced as the winner after completing a series of theory, practical tests and driving challenges.

DAF said its UK Driver Challenge is a country-wide search to find ‘the best’ commercial vehicle (CV) driver from the UK and Ireland.

Mandy Wannerton, demonstration manager at DAF, said: “Our congratulations to Colin Court, and to all the finalists.

“We all enjoyed a thrilling, and sometimes tense, weekend which really tested the competitors to the limit.”

Following an initial online registration process – including assessments, on-road knowledge awareness and an understanding of the CV industry – selected drivers were invited to a series of Regional Qualifiers around the UK and Ireland with 15 drivers competing at the final event in Gloucestershire.

Court also won two tests outright and was a top five competitor in seven of eight challenges, demonstrating his knowledge and skill behind the wheel, DAF said.

Challenges included a ‘commentary drive’ of a New Generation DAF XG, manoeuvring tests with rigid and articulated vehicles, a theory examination, load restraint, pre-use checks, city driving in a DAF LF Electric, plus an off-road quarry driving test in a DAF CF FAW ‘tridem’ 8x4 tipper.

Runners-up included Ryan Pennington a driver at Thomas Boers, in second place and Richard Scott, a driver at Home Bargains, in third place.

The winner of the Ian Joyce Award, introduced to the DAF UK Driver Challenge, in memory of the late Ian Joyce - a member of the DAF dealer driver trainer team, was Jennifer Lock, owner, driver and CPC trainer at her family-run company in Cornwall, Allen & Lock.

Joyce was one of the first DAF dealer driver trainers and a judge at previous DAF UK Driver Challenge events.

DAF said Lock demonstrated outstanding levels of professionalism, kindness and consideration; qualities that epitomised Joyce.

Lock was presented the award by Ian Joyce’s son, Stephen Joyce.

Wannerton added: “Ian was an extremely popular and well-respected member of the DAF Dealer Driver Training team.

He was a true gentleman, always kind, helpful and generous with his time. We miss him very much and the award in his name is a fitting tribute to his memory.”