The second instalment of Hino’s annual driving competition, aptly renamed this year as Hino Smart Driving Competition was held at the Hino Total Support Customer Centre (HTSCC) in Sendayan, Negeri Sembilan. As the only training grounds outside of Japan, HTSCC is the perfect location to hold the event with courses specially built to mimic difficult and awkward situations in the daily life of a truck driver.

The competition promises to produce smart drivers who are aware of the surroundings and be safe on the roads, all whilst being fuel-efficient. 25 drivers from 13 companies battled it out from the 9th to 10th of October in the two-day fun-filled event to celebrate the truckers.

Saipul Nizam from Teraju Ekonomi Asnaf Sdn Bhd is a participant of the competition. He had just taken his theory test and is awaiting his turn for the practical test. Asian Trucker caught up with him in the meantime dig deeper into the lives of our transport heroes. Saipul hails from Kuala Selangor, a coastal town some 55 kilometres away from Kuala Lumpur. He is a truck driver of eight years. In his daily life, he drives a Daihatsu GranMax which is a light commercial vehicle. Saipul said that “it is entirely different from the Hino 300 that I will be driving today. I have driven Hino trucks before this but I am sure the test will be a bit more difficult for me to get used to the size. I heard the tracks are very narrow as well but I am up for the challenge. It is an honour for me to be invited to this competition after passing some preliminary tests; this should mean I am not bad of a driver” he joked as took off for his practical test. Saipul went on to win the fuel economy category held the next day.

Muhammad Azhak from Ikhasas Resources Sdn Bhd is also a participant at the Hino Smart Driving Competition 2019. “My colleague who joined the competition last year told me that this was an exciting event and I was over the moon when I qualified for the competition. As a driver of 13 years, I have never been to a competition of this scale. Hino brought us here on a 2-day event and celebrated us, which is a rare occasion. I have never felt so appreciated in my life as a truck driver. It is also a great opportunity to meet up with other truckers and just enjoy our time.” On whether he foresees himself winning the competition, Azhak said that all drivers present that day are winners they have taken back a valuable lesson; to always stay safe while driving.