Nineteen finalists from across Australia will test their forklift operation skills for the top title, next Thursday 28 October at the Sydney Safety Show in Homebush, Sydney. 

Each contestant will be required to drive to the National Loadshifting Standard and see how they perform under pressure with two judges watching every movement and keeping score.

This year has seen greater female participation with five finalists competing. 

The judges have identified significantly greater knowledge and ability among contestants this year, a testament a national focus on forklift driving proficiency over the last few years.

“It seems that everyone is eager to be the 2010 national champion and win the $1500 prize money for either the male or female category,” enthuses the Australian Warehousing Association’s National Forklift Championship Co-ordinator Bill Henman.

“The 2009 national champions, Mark and Anita will defend their title and hopefully win a second trophy,” he says.

“This year will see the first husband and wife competing,” Henman adds. 

“You can only imagine the dinner table talk if one becomes the national champion and the other misses out! It will add a new dimension to the grand final.”

The novelty event this year is 10 pin bowling using a forklift. 

Curiosity levels have certainly increased with visitors to the Safety Show and Materials Handling exhibition on Wednesday being able to try their luck and skill on the day before the grand final. 

Register at the Adaptalift Hyster stand try to be a winner.  You will need a valid forklift licence and can ‘go bowling’ from 10.00 am. 

New counterbalanced battery electric forklifts will be used this year by the contestants. 

In 2011 the competition will use high reach forklift trucks to expand the potential competition base for contestants.  This forklift type is used in many high rise warehouses and Distribution Centres (DCs). 

Many more in-house company heats were held this year with some large companies missing out due to time constraints.  

National Forklift Championship  organisers, the Australian Warehousing Association have been approached to extend the event to New Zealand in 2011.