RACINE, Wis.-Trevor Wehage, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, earned the title of North American Skid Steer Champion. Wehage works for Don Wehage & Sons Trucking & Excavating Ltd. in Saskatoon.
He defeated more than 30 other compact equipment operators in the United States and Canada in a series of skill-testing challenges using a New Holland 200 Series skid steer loader. The championship, sponsored by New Holland Construction, took place during 2011 GIE+EXPO show Oct. 25-27 in Louisville, Ky.
The field consisted of more than 2,000 participants who competed in New Holland Construction Super Boom Road Show events across the United States and Canada this year. Wehage, who has operated equipment similar to skid steer loaders for 14 years, came in first place with a winning time of 00:21.10. Along with the crown, owner/operator Wehage earned the grand prize of a New Holland Construction 200 Series skid steer loader – valued at US$35,000 – plus a leather jacket and a commemorative scale model of a New Holland 200 Series skid steer loader.
Coming in second place was Thomas Mellott, Mercersburg, Pa., with a time of 00:21.81. Mellott, who works for Ken-Mel Farm in Mercersburg, earned a $2,500 cash prize, a leather jacket and a commemorative scale model of a New Holland 200 Series skid steer loader for himself, and a US$2,500 Parts and Service reward card for his company.
Third place in the competition went to owner/operator Christopher Howlett, Marietta, N.Y., with a time of 00:23.53. Howlett, who works for C.D. Howlett in Marietta, earned a $1,250 cash prize, a leather jacket and a commemorative scale model of a New Holland 200 Series skid steer loader.
The North American Skid Steer Championship event completes the year-long celebration of the launch of the New Holland Construction 200 Series skid steer loaders.
