ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Angelo Concert of the Martz Group captured first place Wednesday at the inaugural Greater Northeast Motorcoach Association (GNEMA) Driver Safety Competition, edging 14 other drivers in a tight contest focused on skill and safety.
The event unfolded Sept. 24 on the Bader Field airstrip behind the former Surf baseball stadium. Contestants from 15 companies were divided into three five-driver teams and tested in three categories: a 25-question written exam, a pre-trip inspection, and a challenging road course filled with obstacles.
Drivers navigated a serpentine, parallel parking, right-hand reverse, forward offset, left-hand turn, and a stop-line test while judges deducted points for penalties such as striking cones. A second judge rode along to evaluate the smoothness of each run and track time in case of a tie.
Concert earned a score of 568, narrowly beating Tony Wilson of Peter Pan Bus Lines, who finished with 567 points. Concert received a $300 cash prize,a trophy and his company will carry the traveling trophy until the next winner. Wilson earned $150 and a trophy, while Chris King of Krapf’s Coaches placed third to claim $50 and a trophy.
Clive Wallace of DATTCO Inc. and Kendall Rohan of Trans-Bridge Lines placed fourth and fifth, respectively, each receiving $50.
Following the morning competition, the GNEMA Annual Meeting at Resorts Hotel Casino hosted the awards ceremony. All drivers were treated to breakfast and received commemorative ball caps, pins, and T-shirts.
GNEMA competition organizers credited the success of the first competition to sponsors, volunteers, and the professionalism of the participating drivers. The 2026 competition will take place on September 30, 2026.
