Best driver in Brazil: Minas Gerais wins award, see how competition works

Driver Elton Mendes Maia Júnior, from the Via Group, located in Lavras (MG), won the title of best professional driver in Brazil in the edition of the Driver Series A project. The grand finale took place in Cabo de Santo Agostinho (PE) and brought together the 20 finalists with the best performance among more than 8 thousand participants from all over the country.

As a prize for first place, the miner received a brand new car. The initiative, promoted by the Transport System through SEST SENAT, evaluated the participants over the course of a year in different aspects of the road routine, going beyond the domain behind the wheel.

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Podium and awards of the national stage

The decision brought together the best-evaluated professionals in Brazil after regional selectives and continuous monitoring. Check out the top three:

• 1st place: Elton Mendes Maia Júnior (Via Group – Lavras/MG) | Award: Zero-kilometer car
• 2nd place: Vanderley Farias Braga (Lima Transportes – Fortaleza/CE) | Prize: Motorcycle
• 3rd place: Thiago dos Santos Souza (Amaggi – Lucas do Rio Verde/MT) | Prize: Motorcycle

How the best driver in Brazil competition works

The differential of the Driver Series A program is in the evaluation criteria, which take into account a multidisciplinary analysis of the driver’s work. In all, the finalists went through 31 evaluation stages, divided into three main pillars:

• Professional specialization: courses and technical training at SEST SENAT.
• Market and management: use of technological resources, such as telemetry and analysis of performance indicators.
• Health and well-being: physical diagnoses, mental health monitoring and quality of life.

After monitoring these aspects of health, professional qualification, management and safe driving over the course of a year, the event brought together the 20 best drivers in the country in the final stage. The decisive practical test was carried out with a bi-articulated tanker truck provided by Transpedrosa. The score of the final maneuver was added to the performance history maintained by the drivers during the year of competition.

Professional appreciation and family engagement

The road transport sector handles more than 70% of cargo and passengers in Brazil, but faces recurring challenges in attracting and retaining qualified labor. According to the board of directors of the Transport System and SEST SENAT, the competition seeks to transform the image of the category, promoting traffic safety and self-care.

All finalists received certificates and were honored by their families during the closing ceremony. The presence of families in the event’s program aimed to recognize the support provided to professionals who spend long periods on the road.