VISTA 2007 – the world’s biggest competition for Volvo workshop personnel – has now commenced. The competition has attracted no less than 12,000 participants from over 1,000 workshops in 68 countries. VISTA will take place in several stages and will conclude with a World final in June 2007.

VISTA involves a large number of people from around the world. Over 3,000 three to four-person teams consisting of truck and bus mechanics, as well as parts and administrative personnel, will take part in this year’s competition. In addition to the 12,000 participants, a large number of competition leaders will also be involved.

The competition commenced in mid-October, the first round consisted of 30 theoretical questions, plus two tie breaker questions. This was followed by the regional semi-finals at nine locations in six regions around the world. The grand finale will be the World Final in Göteborg in June 2007, when the competition will celebrate its 50th anniversary, including 30 years under its present name.

The team, the “Valletta Vikings” consisting of Paul Cooper (Assistant Service Manager), Andrew Cooper (HGV Electrician), Gary Burn (Aftermarket Sales Representative) and Simon Nendick (Workshop Supervisor) from Crossroads Truck & Bus Limited, Valletta Street, Hull, made it through to the final round in Sweden. The final competition will encompass teams from all over the world and it is a great privilege that Crossroads are represented in this elite group. It is also very fitting that Paul Cooper also received the prestigious award for “Best Team Leader”.