Kornel Grzybowski from the Transport Department of Raben Group wins the DAF Driver Challenge Poland 2019

Kornel Grzybowski works as a coordinator of the Transport Department in Raben Transport. Although today he manages the process from his desk, he knows it very well from the practical point of view, as since 2009 he had been on national and international routes for seven years as a professional driver. He is into radio communication, but most of all into the automotive industry, especially the classic one. On September 7, he won the DAF Driver Challenge Poland 2019 after competing against nine rivals - winners of eight local qualifiers and a competition for industry bloggers.

“I like to compete, so I wanted to test my skills also by driving a DAF truck,” said Kornel Grzybowski, Transport Department Coordinator at Raben Transport, after receiving the award, “I am extremely happy to have won. I would like to thank everyone who supported me and believed in my victory.”

The national final of the event took place in Godzieszów near Zgorzelec, where the DAF service stations is located. Each participant was supposed to drive a distance of approx. 30 km in a DAF XF 480 tractor with a curtain-sided semi-trailer and a cargo of almost 40 tons. The criterion for the assessment was the economics of driving because the drivers on the competition route had to achieve the lowest possible fuel consumption.

“The main factor needed to win is to anticipate both the situations on the road and the consequences of one’s behaviour. Like on the road, almost every drop of fuel counts in the competition, so you have to be focused all the time.” - explains Kornel Grzybowski.

The Raben employee turned out to be the best after nine trips achieving a result of 21.9. This is all the more impressive as he encountered additional obstacles along the way: at one of the turning points he was blocked by refuelling trucks which forced him wait 15 minutes with the engine off. Winning the event in Godzieszów means that Kornel Grzybowski will take part in the European final of the DAF Driver Challenge which will be held at the end of September in Luxembourg. There is a chance that he will also represent Poland at another automotive event - the Renault Optifuel Challenge 2019. As one of the ten drivers (winners of local qualifiers) he will take part in the national stage of the competition on September 20 at Jastrząb track near Radom, which will be an opportunity not only to get another victory, but also to improve his skills before the competition in the European arena.