Alison Verran caught up with Greg ‘Chops‘ Russo when he was refuelling in Tokoroa. Greg loves being behind the wheel of his Kenworth T409 SAR with a 459kW (615hp) Cummins ISXe5 motor and 18-speed Eaton Roadranger manual gearbox. Greg carts fertiliser and stockfood for Dibble Transport 1997 Ltd, based in Te Awamutu. “My old man had fert trucks. I always wanted to drive. I did a welding apprenticeship, got my licence, went to drive for Dibbles, and I‘ve been there ever since.” Greg‘s driving career has spanned 13 years so far, and he‘s enjoyed two new Kenworths that were added to the Dibble fleet in that time. Greg‘s day was taking him to Kinleith to load compost for a trip to Auckland. The highlight of being a truck driver for Greg is being able to cruise around New Zealand, seeing our beautiful countryside. Greg had recently been to Kaitaia, passing Doubtless Bay, which he describes as “just beautiful”. Although he loves being on the road, he finds the biggest downside is “dealing with the dumb asses”. When asked the vexing question: Coke or Pepsi? Greg had no hesitation in answering “Coke, but definitely with a Jack Daniels!”

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