Waste Connections of Canada Chatham has won North America-wide corporate bragging rights thanks to trucker Richard Ainsworth’s driving ability.
Waste Connections of Canada Chatham has won North America-wide corporate bragging rights thanks to trucker Richard Ainsworth’s driving ability.
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Ainsworth, 54, a nearly 30-year company veteran, won the annual Waste Connections International Truck Rodeo in Houston, Texas, Sept. 27.
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It wasn’t Ainsworth’s first rodeo: he finished third when the contest started in 2018.
Taking the title “felt great,” said Ainsworth, crediting “determination and paying attention” for giving him the win.
The competition is a tough obstacle course that tests all facets of driver skill, including parallel parking and backing into tight spots.
“It’s the closest to that gets you the most points without going over,” Ainsworth said.
Going over stop lines or touching anything with a truck is an automatic zero score, he added.
Performing under pressure doesn’t faze Ainsworth, a local volunteer firefighter for nearly 30 years. “Pressure doesn’t bother me,” he said.
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Waste Connections in Chatham also produced 2019 rodeo champ Ken May. The event was called off amid COVID-19, returning in September, making the two Chatham drivers back-to-back winners.
“It makes Chatham look really good,” said local Waste Connections site manager Rob Lozon, who says having such expert drivers on staff gives the local operation bragging rights at company functions across North America.
Ainsworth also credits his employer for helping him gain the skills to win.
“It’s a great company to work for,” he said. “Safety is our No. 1 goal. We do receive all the training that is required to do our job safely and efficiently.”
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