Grand Champion crowned at National Professional Truck
Driving Championships
OTTAWA,
Ont. -- Top truck drivers from across Canada came out in full force at
the 2008 National Professional Truck Driving Championships, held in Ottawa, Ont. Sept. 13.
The Ontario Truck Driving Championships played host to the event, which pits
truckers against each other in a variety of skills competitions.
"Not only did they demonstrate their excellent driving skills, but they
displayed safety skills, courtesy, knowledge, and the professionalism required
to conduct business on our highways," said event organizers. "We
would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the many people and
organizations that helped to make the 2008 NPTDC a huge success."
Walking away with top honors at the event was Mario Desjardins of L. Simard
Transport in Quebec,
who was crowned Grand Champion. Rookie of the Year honors went to Shawn Matheson of Home
Hardware Stores in Ontario,
while the best performers in the Team Trophy competition hailed from British Columbia.
The remaining winners in the six driving categories were as follows:
Step Van
1st - Julius Swecera of Reimer Express Lines in B.C.
2nd – Karen Porter of Purolator in Ontario
3rd - Garth Deschamps of Canadian Freightways in Manitoba
Straight Truck
1st - Kevin Franklin of Canadian Freightways in Alberta
2nd - Larry Radons of Reimer Express Lines in Saskatchewan
3rd - Stewart
Jutzi of Erb Transport in Ontario
Single
1st - Darren Tychkowsky of Reimer Express Lines in Alberta
2nd - Brent Rose of SLH Transport in Ontario
3rd – Claude Guerin of Transport Bourassa in Quebec
Single Tandem
1st – Dean Grant of Agrifoods International in B.C.
2nd – Harvey Gording of Reimer Express Lines in Saskatchewan
3rd – Richard Harris of Con-Way Canada in Quebec
Tandem
1st – Mario Desjardins of L. Simard Transport in Quebec
2nd – Shawn
Matheson of Home Hardware Stores in Ontario
3rd – Bob Balen of Canadian Freightways in B.C.
Train
1st – Ken Wiebe of EBD Transport in Manitoba
2nd – Keith Atherton of SLH Transport in Saskatchewan
3rd – Ernest
Streicher of Home Hardware Store in Ontario.
