PORT COCQUITLAM, B.C. – Honors have been handed out to some of B.C.’s top truckers, who competed in the provincial Truck Driving Championships held in Abbotsford, B.C.

George Vanderdeed of Vedder Transport in Abbotsford, B.C. collected the coveted Grand Champion trophy, as well as first place in the B-train competition. The team trophy went to Canadian Freightways. On that team, Bill Alexander of Cloverdale won the single-tractor/single-trailer class, Dale Scott of Mission, B.C. placed third in the single-tractor/tandem-trailer class, while Bob Mullen of Port Coquitlam, B.C. and Rob Balan of Vancouver placed a respective first and second in the tandem-tractor/tandem-trailer class.

Rookie of the Year honors went to Rick Vnuk of Martin Brower of Canada in Surrey, B.C., who placed third in the tandem-tandem category.

The Safety Award went to Hans Wettstein of Hans J. Trucking in Surrey, B.C., who also placed first in the two-axle straight-truck category.

Mike Desmarais of Yellow Freight Systems in North Vancouver placed first in the single-tractor/tandem-trailer class.

Competitors faced off in a written test, circle check and driving competition. All competitors have to be free of preventable accidents for the year before the event.

The championships were hosted by the British Columbia Trucking Association (BCTA) and the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC). n