Baltic operators take part in Case Rodeo Challenge
Case Construction Equipment’s Rodeo Operator Challenge attracted machine operators in competitions across Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia throughout August.
More than 100 competitors took part in the challenge and tried their hand at the three competitions, with over 300 visitors attending the Case Rodeo events in the Estonian capital of Tallinn on 23 August, Riga in Latvia on 27 August and in Klaipeda, Lithuania on 30 August.
In each of the three contests, organised by Case distributor Intrac, competitors tackled three individual tests of skill and machine control. The first involved the use of a Case skid-steer loader to transport balls through a rough terrain slalom course without dropping them. In the second test the operators took the controls of a tractor backhoe loader to lift and position a barrel within a confined designated area, while the third challenge involved placing golf balls in varying diameter tubes, using a 20-tonne crawler excavator.
First place in the Lithuanian round went to Arvydas Ruksta, with Saulius Tumosa and Kestutis Gailius as runners-up. At the Latvian round, Artis Sunins lifted the prize for first place, while Janis Vaitkus and Juris Steps took second and third places. In Estonia the top spot went to Arvi Kaljula, with Sander Vardja in second and Siim Samarin in third.
As well as the Rodeo competition, Intrac provided entertainment for the many visitors to the three Rodeo days. Activities included horse riding, shooting, line dancing, off-road vehicles and Harley-Davidson riding, as well as the chance to see a wide range of Case equipment in action.
The 2013 Rodeo competition started at the UK Plantworx exhibition in May, where more than 60 operators took the challenge. A team of four operators, including James Binks, Lee Graham, Karl Owen and Ashley Goddard will represent the UK at the European round.
In June the Rodeo moved to France, for two rounds in Angers, and then on to Germany for the first round at Erlangen. A second German round followed at the end of August in Walldorf, where more than 250 visitors enjoyed a Rodeo welcome from Case. A strong entry of 32 competitors saw Ekkehardt Graf lift the trophy for the event.
Upcoming events include: 20 September in Lodz, Poland with Intrac Polska, and 27-29 September in Erfurt, Germany with EBB.
All of the winning European teams will head to the Case Customer Centre near Paris for the European Rodeo Final on 18-20 October.
