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She’s risked life and limb driving trucks on some of the world’s most dangerous roads, but what will she make of the challenging M25?
Words: Will Shiers / Images: Tom Cunningham
Everyone has a celebrity they would most like to share a cab with, and Ice Road Truckers’ Lisa Kelly is mine! So when I heard that she would be attending all of the Truckfest Shows this year, I knew this was my chance to cross something off my ‘bucket list’ and got on the phone to Truckfest organiser Live Promotions.
To my surprise not only did Lisa agree to an interview, but also word came back that she was looking forward to it. Her enthusiasm had everything to do with the fact that the interview would take place behind the wheel of a truck. The original plan was to meet Lisa outside the BBC studios in London, where she was being interviewed by Steve Wright. Unfortunately, several thousand marching teachers causing havoc on the capital’s streets put paid to that idea, so we met instead at Heston Services on the M4.
After a quick photoshoot, which included a surprise appearance by a grizzly bear, I invited Lisa to climb into the brand new Iveco EcoStralis.
“Where’s the clutch?” she asked, scanning the footwell on her way in. I explained that most new European trucks come with two-pedal transmission as standard, and she looked genuinely upset. “Doesn’t that just take the fun out of driving?” she asked. “Oh well, I guess it will be one less thing to think about, after all I haven’t driven a right-hand drive truck for a while.”
Right-hand drive
In fact the only right-hand drive truck Lisa has ever driven is an ageing Tata in India, as seen on The History Channel’s Deadliest Roads.
“So what does this do then?” she asked, pointing at one of the numerous switches on the dashboard. I explained it was the hill-hold function, and she seemed suitably impressed when I told her how it works, exclaiming: “Wow, that’s cool.” She also loved the speed limiter function that allows you to set a maximum speed. “I always thought that would be a cool thing to have on a truck, but I didn’t know it actually existed,” she said. She was also interested to learn how Iveco’s Lane Departure Warning System worked, but pointed out that it wouldn’t work on a frozen lake!
“I’ve never seen so many gadgets in a truck,” she said, opening and closing the electric sunroof, “although there is such a thing as too many gadgets.” As we cautiously set off, Lisa was instantly impressed with the gearbox. “I really like the way it changes, although it is weird not having a clutch.” We pulled out onto the M4 eastbound, and Lisa was shocked by the width of the lanes. “Wow, these are really skinny by American standards,” she said, but it didn’t prove to be a problem for her. In fact you’d swear she'd been driving right-hand drive trucks in the LJK all her life.
Favourite truck
Back home she pilots a Kenworth W900, which she describes as her favourite truck in the world. Although she doesn’t actually own one herself, if she was ever to buy a truck, it would deinitely be a Kenworth. “Having said that, I could deinitely get used to one of these,” she said, glancing around the Stralis cab. “It is comfortable, quiet, and spacious.
“I can’t believe how close you sit to the white line,” she said, looking out of her window. “In an American truck you almost sit in the middle of the cab. In fact I can’t believe how wide this truck is compared with my Kenworth. I can’t even touch you,” she added, stretching out her left arm. “I can move a bit closer if you want,” I suggested, but she chose not to hear me.
We passed a ‘50’ sign, and Lisa asked whether it referred to mph or kmph. I explained that unlike the rest of Europe, the LJK operates in mph. “In that case, why is this in kmph?” she asked, pointing at the speedometer. I struggled to come up with a sensible answer.
As we came off the M4 at Chiswick and headed for the North Circular, she commented on the numerous speed cameras. Ice roads might have their drawbacks, but one of them isn’t a speed camera every 200 yards.
Although she was impressed with the high level of driver comfort in the Stralis, she confessed that it’s “not really my kind of truck. I have no doubts that this is a great highway truck, but personally I like off-highway vehicles. I like trucks that are built for mud, snow and ice.” Suddenly the digital tachograph gave an audible warning, informing us that there wasn’t a card present (on account of us running out of scope).
“It’s bleeping at me, and I don’t know why,” she shouted. “Oh well, we are still alive, so let’s just keep going.” I explained to her what tachographs are, and we discussed European drivers’ hours regulations. She was shocked by how strict the legislation is, and couldn’t believe that the maximum stint behind the wheel is 4.5 hours. Lisa frequently does a 14-hour, 714-mile drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks in one go. “I do tend to sleep for 12 hours when I get there though,” she admits.
Stuck in trafic on the approach to Hanger Lane, I asked her how fame has changed her life.
“Drastically,” she replied. She has always worked extremely hard, and now feels guilty that she doesn’t have to any more. Filming currently takes up six months of the year, which leaves much of the other six months for messing about with dirt bikes and riding horses.
Living the dream
“I know I’ve been very lucky, and I’m going to enjoy it while I can,” she said. “I’m living the dream.” Lisa is recognised a lot these days, and says she enjoys the attention. She was particularly happy to talk to a fan on the aeroplane on the way over from the USA, who thanked her for helping to raise the proile of the industry. “That was really good to hear,” she said.
As the trafic started moving again, she commented on how pleasant it is to drive in the UK. “Everyone is so relaxed and laid back,” she said. Really?
As we headed towards the M25 on the A40, the subject of fuel came up. I told her how much we pay for a gallon of diesel, and she was shocked. “Holy cow! It makes me realise how lucky we are at home.
“In fact, that’s one of the best things about travelling,” she said. “It has made me realise what life is like in other countries. If I lose my cell phone, it ruins my day, yet in India there are people who don’t even have homes, and they are still happy. It has made me realise what a bunch of whingers we are.” On the M25 she commented on how smooth the roads are. Now it’s my turn to be shocked. Then again, compared with India we probably do have it good.
Although inancially Lisa no longer needs to drive a truck, she’s not hanging up the Kenworth’s keys just yet. Whenever she’s back in Alaska, she asks her boss if she can do a bit of driving. “I love it so much I want to do it for free,” she said.
Driving around the M25 to the M4 exit she commented on how beautiful the scenery is. “Everything is just so quaint, green and pretty,” she said, as an Emirates Airbus 380 passed overhead.
Lisa will be at three Truckfest Shows this year, and is excited by the prospect. In particular, she’s hoping to see the two custom trucks with her face airbrushed on them. “But I do have one concern about Truckfest,” she said, expertly reversing the truck into a tight space back at Heston Services, “and that’s that nobody wants to see me.”
I don’t think she’s got anything to worry about there! ■