The National Community Transportation Roadeo was held Sunday, June 8 in Minneapolis, MN as part of the 2014 CTAA Expo. The National Community Transit Roadeo is the only national venue to honor and celebrate the value of rural and community transit operators. This exciting event draws drivers from around the US and one driver from Canada to compete for top scores on course that tests skills on every level of the drivers' abilities. In Michigan, the top 3 winners from the state Roadeo are eligible to compete at the national level.
As CTAA celebrated the 25th anniversary of the National Community Transportation Roadeo this year, they allowed a special, one-time only exemption to the rule prohibiting supervisors from competing in the Roadeo. The Champions Division functioned as a special breakout division from the main driver field and drivers were eligible for a special award recognizing the top driver in the Champions Division. The Champions Division was determined by the top score among all drivers in both the Body-on-Chassis and Minivan divisions.
This year there were 68 drivers in the Body on Chassis Division. Below are the results for our own Michigan drivers:
12th - Harold Smith, Gladwin
14th - Roberta Keast, Gladwin (Champions Division winner)
23rd - James Beech -CATA
34th - Deanna Hughes – Gladwin
Michigan was well represented by both drivers and a number of agency and association staff. Pictured from left to right: James Beech – CATA, Josh Reid, Lauren Essenmacher, Roberta Keast, Deanna Hughes – Gladwin City County Transit, Denny Adams – I-Ride & Michigan Roadeo Co-Chair, Harold Smith – Gladwin City County Transit and John Drury, MASSTrans Administrator.
Congratulations to our outstanding Michigan drivers and their agencies.