ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, October 3, 1996              TAG: 9610030091
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                PAGE: N-3  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: SARAH HATCH 

VINTON DRIVER GOING FOR GOLD IN BUS ROADEO

Jimmy Carter of Vinton is going up against the world. The bus drivers of the world that is. On Tuesday, Carter, a Valley Metro driver for 22 years, will compete in the 21st International Bus Roadeo in Anaheim, Calif.

Competition is nothing new to Carter. He has been competing in bus roadeos since 1981, including nine international events. After winning three Virginia state championships in a row and finishing second in last year's international roadeo, it is no wonder other bus drivers call Carter "the guy to beat."

His secret of success?

Carter says his Williamson Road route is great practice for maneuvering a 35-foot bus through a roadeo obstacle course with as little as 3 inches clearance on either side.

"You just have to be alert," says Carter.

LENGTH: Short :   28 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  FILE/1996. Jimmy Carter says his Williamson Road route 
          is great practice for manuevering through a tight roadeo obstacle 
          course.