TMCSuperTech2009 - Truck Technicians to Test Their Skill at 5th Annual Competition

TMCSuperTech2009 - Truck Technicians to Test Their Skill at 5th Annual
Competition

ARLINGTON, Va., June 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Technology &
Maintenance Council (TMC) of American Trucking Associations will hold its
fifth annual National Technician Skills Competition -- TMCSuperTech2009 --
Sept. 14-17, during TMC's 2009 Fall Meeting at the Raleigh Convention Center,
Raleigh, N.C.

Organized by TMC's Professional Technician Development Committee (PTDC),
TMCSuperTech2009 is designed to determine the industry's top technician
through a pre-qualification tests and a variety of troubleshooting tests at 14
skill stations.

In addition to finding this year's top truck technicians, the competition
provides a showcase for the high degree of skill and knowledge shown everyday
by trucking industry technicians and acknowledges the "best of the best."

Any technician employed in the trucking industry may register for TMC's
National Technician Skills Competition. The entry fee for TMC technician
members is $100.00. The entry fee for non-member technicians is $200, which
also includes TMC technician membership for the balance of 2009. The entry fee
is waived for verified champions of 2009 state technician skills contests.

A maximum of 96 contestants (limit is tentative, subject to change depending
on available resources) will advance to compete in the Hands-On Skills
Challenge. Certified grand champions from State Trucking Association contests
will automatically be included in the Hands-On Skills Challenge. All finalists
will receive a special prize package.

All contestants will compete in a written test and pre-qualification challenge
round on Monday afternoon consisting of a written multiple-choice examination
and a hands-on skill pre-qualification test. Contestants will be given two
hours to complete the test.

New this year, attendance at the PTDC Technician Training Fair sessions on
Monday and Wednesday will earn contestants additional bonus points that will
be counted in the scoring for the Hands-on Skills Challenge.

The Hands-on Skill Challenge runs 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday and includes the
following 14 skill stations:
-- Electrical/Electronics;
-- Starting and Charging;
-- Tires and Wheels;
-- Wheel Ends;
-- Trailer Alignment;
-- Engine (Electronics);
-- Engine (Hardware);
-- Steering/Suspension;
-- PMI;
-- Drivetrain;
-- Service Information;
-- Repair Order;
-- Fasteners/Fastener Repair; and
-- Fifth Wheel

Lunch will be provided for all contestants, judges and other registered
guests. Spectators will be welcome on the competition floor.

TMCSuperTech2009 first-, second- and third-place winners, along with those
receiving the high score at each skill station, will be announced at
Wednesday's Awards Luncheon. The first-place winner will have the choice of an
expense-paid trip for two to the 2010 Daytona 500 or equivalent package, plus
other prizes. Second- and third-place winners will also receive trophies and
valuable prizes.

Individuals who are awarded "Best in Skill" category from each of the skill
stations will receive a Toughbook laptop courtesy of Panasonic.

Technician Training Fair
In addition to TMCSuperTech2009, PTDC is holding a Technician Training Fair on
Monday, Sept. 14, and again on Wednesday, Sept. 16. The hands-on training
sessions are designed for technicians, shop supervisors and fleet managers.
Other TMC meeting attendees are also welcome to attend the training.

The training qualifies for National Automotive Technicians Education
Foundation continuing education credits. The sessions will be repeated to
maximize training opportunities.

Training sessions include:
-- Basic HVAC Principles;
-- Basic Electronics;
-- Proper Tool Usage and Repair Orders;
-- 2010 SCR Update;
-- Proper Electronics and Wiring Repair; and

-- Enhanced Safety Systems.

Registration information and TMC's guide "How to Conduct a Technician Skills
Competition" are available at http://tmc.truckline.com.

Meeting and registration information is available online at
http://tmc.truckline.com.

TMC, a technical council of American Trucking Associations, is North America's
premier technical society for truck equipment technology and maintenance
professionals. TMC features a diverse membership of equipment managers,
service-dealers, owner-operators, industry suppliers and manufacturers,
educators, academia and others that support the trucking industry. TMC member
fleets represent the broad range of industry vocations, including truckload,
less-than-truckload, municipal, private, on/off-highway, construction and
other operations. Find out more about TMC online at http://tmc.truckline.com.

American Trucking Associations, Inc., the national trade association for the
trucking industry, is a federation of affiliated state trucking associations,
conferences and organizations that includes more than 37,000 motor carrier
members representing every type and class of motor carrier in the country. ATA
serves the interests of more than nine million people and 420,000 companies
involved in trucking before Congress, the courts and regulatory agencies.
http://www.truckline.com

TMC Meeting Dates

TMC's 2009 Fall Meeting
& National Technician Skills Competition
Raleigh Convention Center
Raleigh, North Carolina
September 14-17

TMC's 2010 Annual Meeting
& Transportation Technology Exhibition
Tampa Convention Center
Tampa, Florida
February 9-12

TMC's 2010 Fall Meeting
& National Technician Skills Competition
Raleigh Convention Center
Raleigh, North Carolina
September 20-23

TMC's 2011 Annual Meeting
& Transportation Technology Exhibition
Tampa Convention Center
Tampa, Florida
February 8-11

SOURCE Technology and Maintenance Council, American Trucking Associations

Marsh Galloway of the Technology and Maintenance Council, American Trucking
Associations, +1-913-498-2162, mgalloway@trucking.org