The winner of the Volvo Trucks Oceania Driver Challenge 2024-2025 has said he’s looking forward to heading to Sweden to compete in the global final of the competition next year.
Volvo said truckie Anthony Marshall showed “remarkable skills, precision and commitment to safe and efficient driving”, landing him the top spot at its recent contest in Brisbane.
The Driver Challenge saw 16 of the best drivers from across Australia and New Zealand competing against each other with the goal of completing a 5.4km course around Volvo’s test facility while using as little fuel as possible.
The difference between first and second place came down to just 20ml of fuel – the equivalent of just over a tablespoon.
Marshall, who works for De Bruyn’s Transport in Tasmania, was reluctant to boast about his driving ability.
“I don’t really know that I’m all that good – I’m just good at saving fuel!” he said.
“But I guess some of the credit for teaching me would have to go to John De Bruyn Jr, who gave me a few tips and pointers when I first started driving for him almost 12 years ago.”
When asked if he could share a few of those tips, he said it’s all about paying attention to what’s going on in front of you.
“If you’re looking well ahead, you don’t end up with surprises and you’re not dramatically slowing down or trying to speed up,” he added.
“A lot of drivers follow too closely and they’re always in a rush – that’s all road users, not just truck drivers.”
Marshall said he loves his work because he’s normally left alone.
“No-one’s pestering me, and I’m just left to do my job,” he said.
He will be heading to Gothenburg, Sweden in May 2025 to compete against drivers from all over the world in the Volvo Trucks International Driver Challenge.
“I’ve never been out of Australia before – I’m just in the process of getting my passport sorted,” he said.
“I’m a little bit excited because I’ve done some research and the winner from 2014 got handed a $15,000 cheque!”