2000 NTDC Main Page | 1999 NTDC Main Page | Competition Advice | 1999 State Champions
Bruce Amor | Driver/Dockworker | South Bend/Elkhart, IN (312)
Continuous learning
Mental preparation
Where's the front of my vehicle?
Tips for "The Front Stop Problem"
Bruce has been with Roadway for 20 years. Competing since 1989, he has attended the National Truck Driving Championships three times. He placed 2nd in the 2-Axle Class in 1998.
Bruce can be reached by e-mail at bruce@skyenet.net.
Continuous learning[ Top of Page ]
The Truck Driving Championships are a continuous learning process that should stay with you each and every day that you get behind the wheel.
Mental preparation[ Top of Page ]
First, in order to prepare, I had to force myself mentally to form good driving habits. Secondly, I had to learn to be consistent with those habits. Once I learned the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and was able to keep an open mind I realized that the National Truck Driving Championships was not out of reach.
Where's the front of my vehicle?[ Top of Page ]
When I first started driving over 20 years ago, it did not matter to me where I stopped at a stoplight, intersection, or crosswalk. I never really paid much attention. I didn't even know where the front of my vehicle was. Boy, it sure was embarrassing when that little old lady was shaking her fist at me because she could not get across the street I was blocking with the front of my vehicle.
One of the events at the Truck Driving Championships is called "The Front Stop Problem." The object is for the driver to drive up to the line and stop his vehicle within six inches of that line without touching it. Since I have been in competitions and practicing this front stop problem I have learned where the front of my vehicle is at all times on each and every stop that I make. That little old lady will always be able to cross in front of me!
Tips for "The Front Stop Problem"[ Top of Page ]
Here are a few tips for you that I have used in preparing for the front stop. First, in order to know where the front of your vehicle is, you need to locate a spot to use as a guide to practice.
I place a pencil between 6-8 inches in front of and parallel with my bumper to use as a line. Next, I move this line just far enough to the left to where I can see it out of my window from the driver's seat. Then I look over several spots to find the best one for me to use as a guideline. Once found, I will practice with this same spot over and over and over again until it becomes a natural habit. Every time I make a stop, no matter where I'm at or what I'm driving, I practice using this spot. By using this spot as a guide I have been able to determine where the front of my vehicle is.
The most important key to make this work for you is with control settings that must take place before equipment selection and pre-trip inspection. I use the seat adjustments both vertically and horizontally as my control settings. Once these settings are in place I am able to stop in front of a line without touching it no matter what vehicle I use.
1999 NTDC Main Page | Competition Advice | 1999 State Champions
