PORT TOWNSEND — Lloyd Eisenman feels sure this is his year.
Eisenman, a bus driver for Jefferson Transit for the past 12 years, was chosen to represent Washington state at the International Bus Roadeo in Memphis, Tenn., on May 19-25.
It’s the highest honor possible for a bus driver, Eisenman said.
“It is like going to the Super Bowl — or if you are in NASCAR, it is like going to the Daytona Cup,” he said.
Because of budget cutbacks, Jefferson Transit can’t pay the $3,000 or so it would take to send the bus driver to the international competition — which will draw drivers from locales as far away as Australia or Europe, Eisenman said.
“We are a small transit and have been competing with transit agencies with 1,500 to 3,000 people, and we have 34 in our transit agency,” he said, comparing the competition to David and Goliath.
He needs about half the total — about $1,500 — to get to the international competition.
“I have some saved up myself, but it is more than I can flip all by myself,” Eisenman said.
He’s asking for donations and has applied for a sponsorship through Prilosec OSC. The grant would pay for his hotel flight and entry fee.
Eisenman is one of the applicants in Round 5. Winners will be announced May 27.
Each person may vote one time per day by visiting http://tinyurl.com/48nk5t3.
This won’t be the first time Eisenman has competed at the international contest.
He has gone three times before, landing second place in 2008 and 2010 and fourth place in 2009.
“I really think that this is my year — the year I have the chance to do my best,” he said.
He earned his spot in the international contest in the fall through a series of competitions throughout the state.
“I’m the only one representing the state in the 35-foot [bus] category,” he said.
After driving tour buses and school buses for seven years, he began working for Jefferson Transit five years ago, he said.
He has competed at the top of the 35-foot bus bracket ever since the Peninsula Cup Bus Roadeo began four years ago.
On Sept. 19, Eisenman won his category with a near-perfect score — 671 out of 700.
At the Roadeos, the drivers must make their way through a maze of cones and other obstacles, backing in, going straight and weaving in the quickest possible time.
“It is this big, huge thing that happens that everyone who drives buses in the world are putting their skills up against each other,” Eisenman said.
“For someone like me, it is fun to put my skills against someone with more than two decades of experience — and win.”
Eisenman’s wife, Sandi, will go with him to watch the competition and photograph him during the event.
“She is my videographer and photographer,” he said.
“She’ll take video, and then I’ll sit there at night and critique myself so I can improve the next time.”
Eisenman must confirm plans to go by the end of April. Any businesses can be official sponsors, or donations may be accepted.
For more information on how to donate or help, phone Eisenman at the agency at 360-385-4777.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.