2016 NC Best Bus inspector's Competition

Ralph Trango - First Place

Dustin Wells - Second Place

Wake County is the employer of the NCPTA Best School Bus Inspector contest. Ralph Trango (pictured above in center), in his 10th competition, took the top honor & $500.00 (his second state title) at the NCPTA conference held in Asheville

Dustin Wells - Second Place

2nd place finisher and winner of $300.00 was last year’s top winner, Dustin Wells from Pitt County. Dustin will also be traveling courtesy of NCPTA to Kansas City to enter the “America’s Best Bus Technician” competition. Dustin has previously won the National bus inspection contest and desires to be the first national winner of both competitions.

Craig Barker - Third Place

Dustin Wells - Second Place

Craig Barker - Third Place

3rd place was only one point behind 2nd and goes to Craig Barker of Wilkes County. Craig in his second NCPTA competition placed very strong thanks in part to a strong written test score. Craig won 200.00 for his efforts. Craig also mentioned “this competition causes me to study the 30 day manual deeper and become better at my day-to-day inspection duties.

2014 NC Best Bus Inspector's Competition

First Place

Second Place

Craig Barker of Wilkes County, since 2014, won the NC Best Bus Inspector Contest at the NCPTA summer conference. Craig received a prize of $500 and a trip to Columbus Ohio in the fall to represent North Carolina at the national competition.

Second Place

Finishing in second place by one point is Ricky Callender of Brunswick County. Steadily climbing up in positions, Ricky placed fourth in 2016 and received a prize of $300. He will also move on to the national “America Best” competition for the diagnostics event.

Third Place

Second Place

Third Place

A fellow veteran of the annual competitions, Marc Lail of Rutherford County took Third Place and a prize of $100.

30 competitors completed a 50 question written test. The top 12 scores proceeded to the practical hands on event. Competitors were challenged to identify as many defects as possible on 3 dummy buses.

2010 NC Best Bus Inspector's Competition

Top Twelve

Danny Reed - First Place

B. Rick Jennings from Wilkes Co. assisted as a time keeper. Each bus had 10 defects to be identified in order to score points. The contestants also had to take a 50 question written test in order to qualify for the finals. This year’s contestants received an added surprise that allowed them to receive their bus inspector certification if

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Danny Reed - First Place

Beaufort County is the employer of two of the top three winners at the Best School Bus Inspector contest. Danny Reed, in his fifth competition, took the top honor & $500.00 (his second state title) at the Cabarrus Arena on July15, 2010. He and eleven other finalists inspected three different buses that were specially "set up" by DPI consultants Charles Ball Craig Warren, and Randy Henson

Tim Speer - Second Place

Ashley Whitfield - Third Place

Another name familiar to the winner’s bracket, Tim Speer from Yadkin Co. placed 2nd. Tim is a past State and National champion and is always a tough but friendly competitor in the school bus inspection contest. Tim took home $300.00 for his effort.

Ashley Whitfield - Third Place

Ashley Whitfield from Beaufort placed third after two years of being in the top 12. Jerry Wynne has to be extremely proud to have two of his employees perform so well at the event.