Robert Kubica has placed his trust in Atego for the last twelve years
RoadStars meets
The only thing he has in common with the well-known Formula 1 driver is the name: Robert Kubica from Kuźnia Trans in Mikołów relies on calm, safety and long distances.
When he drives through Katowice, Robert often passes the home of the NOSPR, the The Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra.
Robert Kubica – his name is connected to extreme high-speed racing.
Unlike the Formula 1 driver of the same name, Robert Kubica the truck
driver has a calm driving style. He drives his Atego 1224 through the
yard of Kuźnia Trans in Mikołów. He parks the vehicle with the utmost
precision where the containers are to be filled that have to be
delivered to the customer today.
His name is a household term throughout the country.
His name is a household term throughout the country.
His name is a household term throughout the country.
His name is a household term throughout the country.
Your documents, please.
“My name has sometimes caused really funny situations. For example, when I drive into a customer’s yard, I tell the gatekeeper my name and that usually means I have to show my ID card,” the 34-year-old driver says with a laugh.
His famous namesake is completely innocent as regards his choice of profession. “It was quite by chance. I’ve been driving longer than Kubica, for over twelve years,” says Robert. “When I was studying IT, a friend persuaded me to go with him on a trip as co-driver. I thought it was great, so I got my truck driver’s licence and contacted Kuźnia Trans. The owner thought I was good for the job – so I’m still driving for him.”
Millions of kilometres in the Atego.
Twelve years working as a truck driver weren’t just twelve years working for one company for Robert: they were also the story of a truck: an Atego 715, built in 1999. “That was the first truck I was given when I started working. It already had 600,000 km on the clock. I drove a total of about 1.8 million km with it – when it was sold the clock had 2.4 million kilometres on it.”
Inseparable.
“I didn’t want to part with it, so the company sold it while I was on holiday,” Robert Kubica says with a laugh. “I got on with that Atego without any problems. I was able to take care of that truck. I knew what it needed. And the truck thanked me by working without any breakdowns – fantastic quality!“
More time for the family.
The destination to which Robert is setting off today is not far from where he lives: from Mikołów to Kraków. Now, most trips in his schedule are domestic trips. “That was a conscious choice. I used to drive to Germany, but a few years ago I asked my boss if I could change: I got married, and now I’d like to spend more time with my family,” he says. “That’s an important aspect for a lot of drivers. Lots of things need to change in this respect, if you ask me – long-distance haulage is necessary, but if you want to find people prepared to work as long-distance drivers, you need to offer more than just good pay.”
Break time: Robert has a rest with a coffee and his favourite book.
Break time: Robert has a rest with a coffee and his favourite book.
A break with a book and a coffee.
Time for a break: Robert drives onto a forest car park. Now he can eat something in peace, have a coffee and still have some time to read his favourite book. “What I like about this job is the variety and that every day is different,” he says. “In my leisure time I try to keep slim. My wife Boguslawa and I often go on cycling trips – we live in a beautiful part of the world. Also, because we live so close to where I work, we at last have more time to meet up with friends!”
Robert has been working for Kuźnia Trans in Mikołów for twelve years.
Driving the Atego and the Actros.
Break time is over and it’s time to carry on. Today Robert is driving an Atego, but he has already driven the new Actros. “A very comfortable vehicle and well thought out for the driver. That’s quite a rare thing,” says Robert. For example the fridge: “In the Actros I can get to it without taking my eyes off the road. It may only seem a small matter, but it’s very important,” he adds. “And there are lots of practical storage compartments and a very good solution for the lighting. Also: lockable compartments you can access from the inside. You don’t have to go outside in order to get something, which is great in the winter. Those are all aspects of the equipment that make life on the road so much easier.”
Fortunately, Robert Kubica’s trip today doesn’t mean a long time in the cab: “I’m just going home to spend time with my family!”
Photos: Krzysztof Skłodowski
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