Driver of the month: Richard Scherping

MAN F2000 V10 forever!

“This steadfastness – even in troubled times – goes to show how much MAN is committed to driver and fan community,” he says. Richard loves trucks and technology – “Even as a kid with my parents driving me around, I looked for trucks and memorised technical details like different axle configurations.” He had his first experience behind the wheel as a ten-year-old on an MAN F90 at the 1994 IAA. Richard even has a photo as a souvenir of that magical moment. He’s had a special fascination for MAN trucks ever since. He passionately collects and reads all the MAN catalogues and HGV specialist books he can get his hands on. Richard went as far as getting an HGV licence while studying electrical engineering; he still keeps his licence current with training programmes, although his career took him in a somewhat different direction. “I develop innovative vehicle technology as an engineer at Continental. MAN also uses software that I’ve worked on in their vehicles,” says Richard.

An MAN truck of his own – at last

The engineer took his passion for modern and vintage MAN classics to the next level in 2012 – he bought himself an MAN F2000 19.603 V10 made in 1997. He lovingly maintains, restores, and of course drives it. It’s taken him on personal tours to the Benelux region and Croatia, but also to classic vehicle days and Trucker’s World events. Whether MAN Trucknology Festival, ADAC Truck Grand Prix, Truck Trial, IAA, bauma or NUFAM – Richard will be there. “It’s been my classic shenanigans that got the professional drivers in the drivers’ club to take me seriously,” he says with a wry grin.

“It just goes to show that I mean it when I say I love trucks.” Richard also makes a regular appearance on the Trucker’s World social media channels. This has given him a convenient way of keeping up with other classic truck fans. He even runs an MAN D2840 drivers’ WhatsApp group. No surprise there – expertise and useful tips about equipment and spare parts are always in demand in the trucking scene. Trucker’s World has become part of Richard’s life – “The club strengthens community spirit with drivers and truck fans helping each other out. We need to cultivate our common interests and raise public awareness for them.” His message for the future: “Keep it up with the great work you’re doing!” Richard has one particular memory of a Trucker’s World event where he steered his F2000 over a test track. “That was a ride I’ll never forget.”

The club strengthens solidarity and mutual support among drivers and truck enthusiasts. It's important that we cultivate our common interests and represent them to society. “

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