Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) held its annual driving and maintenance competition, known as the Bus Roadeo, to determine the best of the best transit personnel in the city.
Drivers competed in timed obstacle courses and were judged on tight turns, backing up, pullover curb distance, safety and even appearance. The KAT maintenance competition involved timed problem diagnosis and repair. Winners of each division will go on to compete in the state competition and state winners move on to the national competition.
Winners were as follows:
Van Competition
First Place
Greg Davis
A KAT operator since 2003, Davis is a regular competitor in the roadeo and known as someone who is difficult to beat. In fact, he also took second place in the 40’ bus competition.
Second Place
Wendell Mobley
Another regular in the roadeo scene, Mobley has been with KAT since 1996.
Third Place
Barry Moretz
A fresh face in the roadeo winner’s circle, Moretz has been with KAT since only 2012 and is currently a trolley operator.
40’ Bus Competition
First Place
Dean Pruitt
Holding on to his first place finish, Pruitt has won the competition seven times and has gone on to compete in the state. He has been with KAT since 2003.
Third Place
Tina Hayes
Another newcomer to the roadeo winner’s circle, Tina has been with KAT just over a year.
Maintenance Roadeo Winners
First Place
Mike McAmis
Mike is a familiar and friendly face back in the KAT Maintenance Department, having been with KAT for 40 years. This was his first roadeo competition.
Second Place
Chris Click
A newer member of the KAT Maintenance Team, Click easily took second place, qualifying both he and McAmis to compete in the state’s competition.
“We’d like to congratulate not only all of our winners but also all of our competitors,” said Dawn Distler, KAT director of transit. “It is amazing to watch our operators and maintenance personnel do what they do best.”
Among the spectators to the roadeo event were Mayor Madeline Rogero and two KAT board members, Liliana Bonilla-Burbano and Jim Richards. In addition, KAT always recruits retired Judge Harold Wimberly, to judge the angled back-up competition. He has been donating his time as a roadeo judge for KAT for at least 20 years.
For more information on this news release, contact Belinda Brill at 215-7828.
