TMC competitions to showcase the best technicians in the industry
TMCSuperTech2018 marks the 14th anniversary of Technology & Maintenance Council’s (TMC’s) National Technician Skills Competitions, designed to determine the industry’s top technician through a variety of troubleshooting tests and skills challenges.
Organized by TMC’s Professional Technician Development Committee (PTDC), TMCSuperTech2018 will showcase the high degree of skill and knowledge shown everyday by trucking industry technicians. This competition is considered trucking’s only industry-wide competition dedicated both to honoring technician professionalism and acknowledging the “best of the best.”
This year’s competition features a new schedule that includes a written test, series of qualifying rounds and the final Hands-on Skills Challenge. For 2018, there will be three professional tracks — traditional (heavy duty), trailer and light/medium vehicle (new this year). The traditional (heavy duty) track spans two-days — Sunday and Monday. The trailer and light/medium tracks will take place on Monday.
How to get involved
Step 1—Register
Any technician employed in the trucking industry may register for TMC’s National Technician Skills Competitions, and must do so by the August 17 deadline.
The entry fee for TMC technician members is $250. The entry fee for non-member technicians is $350, which also includes TMC technician membership for the balance of 2018. The entry fee is waived for verified champions of 2018 state trucking association technician skills contests.
Step 2—Come to Orlando
The competitions will be held at the Orlando World Center Marriott, Sept 16 through 18. Registration opens as early as Saturday, September 15, where attendees will be given TMCSuperTech credentials. The orientation takes place Sunday, September 16 at 7 AM
Step 3—Compete in the qualifying rounds
All traditional (heavy duty) track contestants will compete in qualifying rounds on Sunday, September 16 consisting of several hands-on skill pre-qualification tests. There are no qualifying rounds for the trailer or light/medium technician tracks.
Step 4—Attend the Reception
After the qualifying rounds, it’s off to the TMCSuperTech2018 Reception, at which we announce the names of the contestants who will compete in the traditional (heavy duty) track finals on Monday, September 17. A maximum of 119 traditional track contestants (subject to change) will advance to compete in Tuesday’s Hands-on Skills Challenge. Certified grand champions from State Trucking Association contests will automatically be included in the Hands-on Skills Challenge.
Step 5—Enjoy the Finals
On Monday from 8 AM to 4 PM, qualifying contestants will compete in a series of stations, covering a variety of diagnostic skills areas. Contestants will be provided the list of stations in advance when they receive their welcome packet and official rules and guidelines manual in August.
Observers will be welcome on the competition floor, too.
Step 6—Attend the Awards Banquet
The winners of the competition will be announced and presented trophies and prizes during TMC’s Industry Awards Banquet. Awards will be given for first, second and third place in the overall competition and separately for the trailer track. Winners will also be named for those receiving the best score at each skills station.
1st Place: TMCSuperTech Grand Champion will receive an expense-paid trip to the 2019 Daytona 500, plus other prizes. The winner will also be presented with a special trophy and his or her name will appear on the TMCSuperTech Grand Champion Banner that is displayed at every TMC meeting. Second place and third place winners will also receive trophies and valuable prizes. Individuals who place “Best in Skills Category” will be recognized as well.
TMCSuperTech2018 Schedule
Sunday, September 16
7 to 8:30 AM
The National Technician Skills Competition — TMCSuperTech 2018 — starts with the Contestant Orientation and Qualifying Written Exams.
9 AM to 4 PM
TMCSuperTech 2018 Contestant Qualifying Rounds take place.
Sunday evening
TMCSuperTech 2018 Welcome Reception and Hands-on Skills Challenge Finalists announcement take place on Sunday evening.
Monday, September 17
8 AM to 4 PM
Traditional (Heavy Duty) Track Hands-on Skills Challenge finals
The following events will take place:
- TMCFutureTech2018 National Student Technician Competition
- Orientation and competition for the Trailer and new Light/Medium Vehicle Technician Tracks
Tuesday, September 18
The TMCSuperTech2018 and TMCFutureTech2018 Awards Banquet will be held.
TMCFutureTech
For 2018, TMC is hosting the fifth annual National Student Technician Competition — TMCFutureTech — during its annual Fall Meeting.
TMCFutureTech2018 consists of a set of skill stations for technician students to be held on Monday, September 17. Winners will be announced at Tuesday’s TMCSuperTech2018 Awards Banquet, which is open to both contestants and meeting attendees. Student registration is limited to 80 individuals for 2018. The student competition registration fee is $200. The registration cutoff is August 17.
“TMC’s Professional Technician Development Committee organizes skills competitions to further our efforts to promote careers for professional commercial vehicle technicians in all segments of the trucking industry,” said Robert Braswell, executive director of ATA’s Technology & Maintenance Council. “For 2018, TMC is able to continue the National Student Technician Competition thanks to our official sponsors of this valuable industry service.”
TMCSuperTech sponsors
The following organizations support the TMCSuperTech annual National Technician Skills Competition:
ACOFAS (American Council of Frame and Alignment Specialists)
Aperia Technologies
ArvinMeritor
ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence)
Aurora Parts and Accessories
Bandag
Base Air Management
Base Air Suspension
Bendix
BG Products, Inc.
BorgWarner
Bosch Automotive Service Solutions
CARQUEST Auto Parts
Con-way Freight
Consolidated Metco
Cornwell Tools
Counteract Balancing Beads
Cummins
Daimler Trucks North America
Dana
Davco
Dearborn Group Technology
Decisiv
Delco Remy
Delmar Cengage Learning
Detroit Diesel
Donaldson Company
Dorman Products
East Penn Manufacturing
Eaton
Engine City Technical Institute
FedEx Express
FedEx Freight
FedEx Ground
Fleet Maintenance Magazine/SouthComm Business Media
Fontaine International
Fontaine Trailer
Freightliner Trucks
Gates Corporation
Goodyear
Great Dane Trailers
Haldex
HD America
HDA Truck Pride
Hendrickson
Holt Caterpillar
Hunter Engineering
Hutchens Industries
Hyundai Translead
Imperial Supplies
International Truck and Engine
Interstate Battery Systems
J.B. Hunt
JOST International
K-Line Industries
Lincoln Technical Institute
Lite-Check
MAC Tools
Mack Trucks
Matco Tools
Maverick Transportation
Maxon Lift Corporation
Maxwell Technologies
McKee Foods Transportation
Mckinney Trailer Rentals
Meritor
MHC Kenworth
Michelin
Mitchell 1
Motor Information Systems
Motor Wheel
Myers Tire Supply
Nashville Auto-Diesel College
National Transportation Center
Natural Gas Vehicle Institute
Navistar
NEXIQ Technologies
Noregon Systems
Peak Commercial & Industrial
Penray Companies
Penske Truck Leasing
Peterbilt Motors
Peterson/Maxi-Seal
Petro Lube
Ready Fleet LLC
Redline Detection LLC
Reliance Supply
Royal Purple Long Rider
Rush Truck Centers
Ryder
SAF-Holland USA
SKF
Snap-on
St. Louis Community College
Stemco
Sullivan Training Systems
TA Truck Service
Team Torque
Tech Force Foundation
TESlite
Tiger Tools
Timken
TMW Systems
Transport Topics
TransTechs
Travel Centers of America
Truck-Lite
Truck Pride
TSE Brakes
United States Postal Service
Universal Technical Institute
University of Northwest Ohio
UPS
U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc.
Utility Trailer
Valvoline
Velociti
Volvo Trucks North America
Walmart
Webb Wheel Products
WheelTime Network
Whiting Systems
WyoTech
Skill stations for the different competitions
There will be skills stations seat up for the qualifying rounds. Each station will be rotated through by the contestants. The following are the skills station for each track, and is subject to change:
Traditional (Heavy Duty) Track
Day One
ASE Written Exam
Aftertreatment
Electrical 1
Fasteners
Wiring diagrams
Trailer Lighting
CSA Compliance
RP Manuals
Safety and Environmental
Coolants and DEF
CNG Safety
Lighting systems
Precision Measuring
Day Two
Brakes
Tire and Wheel
Suspension
Engine Electrical
Fifth Wheel
Liftgates
PMI
Drivetrain
HVAC
Vehicle Control Systems
Starting and Charging
Wheel End
Electrical 2
Telematics
In addition to these stations there will also be ‘exhibition stations’ that will not count for scoring but will expose technicians to new information (e.g., cybersecurity).
Trailer Track
ASE Written Exam
Telematics
Wheel End/Brakes
Trailer Lighting
Torque
Roll Up doors
Trailer PMI
Electrical 1
Trailer ABS
Trailer Fasteners
Trailer Alignment
Electrical Corrosion
Liftgates
Hydraulics
7-Pin Connector
Light/Medium Vehicle Track
ASE Written Exam
Aftertreatment Fasteners
Torque
EVAP
PMI
Wiring Diagrams
Rp Manuals
Coolants/DEF
CNG Safety
Precision Measuring
Electrical 1
Liftgates
Hydraulics
Wheel End
TMCFutureTech
ASE Written Exam
Lighting systems
Electrical 1
Fasteners
Torque
PMI
Safety & Environmental
RP Manuals
Coolants/DEF
Precision Measuring
Drive Belts
Wheel End
Wiring Diagrams
Hydraulics
