DAVENPORT, Iowa -
Winter is still weeks away, but area road crews are making sure they're prepared to hit the streets when the first snow flies.
Wednesday, it was all about bragging rights, and each city's skills were put to the test.
Quad City snowplow drivers executed turns around construction cones as they took part in the 2009 snow rodeo obstacle course
Drivers from Bettendorf, Davenport, Rock Island, and Rock Island County climbed in and weaved and backed up through cones, knocking down markers and even parking perfectly all while being judged.
It's a lot easier than it looks, and many of these are situations drivers face every winter only with snow sleet and ice thrown in.
"We train rigorously we need to prepare for the worst if we have a blizzard or horrible winter season. We want to make sure our operators are prepared" says Jason Schwartzhoff, who serves as the training manager for the City of Davenport.
It's nearly impossible to get a perfect score and the event is a way for the drivers to get a little break.
Each city is competing for two years of bragging rights and the traveling trophy which documents the event's twenty year history.
Wednesday, it was all about bragging rights, and each city's skills were put to the test.
Quad City snowplow drivers executed turns around construction cones as they took part in the 2009 snow rodeo obstacle course
Drivers from Bettendorf, Davenport, Rock Island, and Rock Island County climbed in and weaved and backed up through cones, knocking down markers and even parking perfectly all while being judged.
It's a lot easier than it looks, and many of these are situations drivers face every winter only with snow sleet and ice thrown in.
"We train rigorously we need to prepare for the worst if we have a blizzard or horrible winter season. We want to make sure our operators are prepared" says Jason Schwartzhoff, who serves as the training manager for the City of Davenport.
It's nearly impossible to get a perfect score and the event is a way for the drivers to get a little break.
Each city is competing for two years of bragging rights and the traveling trophy which documents the event's twenty year history.
