Caterpillar Operator Challenge Finals 2008

How does a man (or woman), operating all that Caterpillar power, react to a test which needs every bit of the skill that he’s accumulated with years of experience, handling dozens of different types of machines? Can he do it under the strict Safety requirements imposed by Cat standards? And finally, how well does he do it with the pressure of hundreds of eyes on him, and against competition just as good as he is? Let’s find out…

What’s it about, the Cat Operator Challenge? You’ll get detail on the machines, the people, the event, and each of the actual tests in the blog entries that follow, but to get the basics, read on:

• Choose a range of Caterpillar Equipment, small, medium, and large. All are precision tools for the many tasks they are called to do.
• Choose a place – The Caterpillar Malaga Demonstration center – where a competition that needs space and terrain for the tests can be judged
• Ask the hand-picked Operators at the Demonstration Center to create a variety of challenges that reflect the most extremely skilled jobs in any industry where Cat Equipment, Services, and Technologies are used.
• Next, the best operators of all competing countries from around the world are proudly found by their local Cat Dealer. This is done by the Dealer hosting their own, local Operator Challenge competition (more on that later too). The winner goes to the final in Malaga.

And so, here we are, starting to get excited, at the final in Malaga. The Caterpillar machines, services, and technology are ready. The Operators arrive today. They are briefed on the tests tomorrow. The event starts the day after, on Monday.

Now you see why it’s called “The Toughest Competition on Earth”…

From this blog, you will be able to follow competitors on their journey through The Toughest Competition on Earth. We will be posting stories, interviews, photos and videos (!) of the event.

Be assured, the challenges that lie ahead are far from easy and will require skill, decision making, team work and the will to be a Champion, for man working his Cat machines.

This year’s event will take place between Monday 3rd and Friday 7th November in Malaga, Spain. So hold on tight and get ready for early November action !

Please do not forget to post any comments or questions and we will get back to you as soon as we can!