REGINA, Sask. – Drivers running through red lights, cutting him off and paying more attention to their cellular phones than traffic are just a few of the obstacles that Harv Gording has overcome as a driver for Reimer Express Lines in Regina.

But Gording has done much more than just overcome these obstacles. He is a member of the Million-Miler Club for Reimer Express, which acknowledges city drivers who have completed 12 consecutive years of preventable accident-free driving. In fact, he’s had 20 safe years behind the wheel and is well on his way towards becoming a 2-Million Miler.

Gording’s driving skills are becoming legendary in Saskatchewan. In 1993 he was Grand Champion and Rookie of the Year at the Canadian National Driving Competitions. He was the Grand Champion again six years later and received a special award for a perfect score in the pre-trip and written exam. This year he has continued his winning ways: he was named the Volvo Truck Driver of the Year for Saskatchewan in light of his day-to-day service and past performances at driving competitions; and was the Saskatchewan Grand Champion at the Provincial Driving Competition.

“To compete against so many great drivers and to be the Grand Champion is such an honor,” says Gording. Although he enjoys the events, it is the camaraderie among the drivers that he enjoys the most. He also likes that competitions promote safety and professionalism, not only within the industry, but also to the general public.

Gording’s experience with driving competitions goes back to 1990 when several of his colleagues convinced him to enter the team event. He fell in love with the competition and has been hooked ever since. At the provincials that year he finished third in the southern finals and fifth overall.

Entering these competitions can be a bit nerve-wracking because so many spectators watch the drivers. Gording admits he gets a bit nervous before the events, but he manages to forget the distractions while being tested.

He achieved national prominence in 1993 with his excellent showing and says that, “I was very surprised since it was my first year at the nationals. It was the best year I ever had personally and with the team.” His subsequent years at the competitions have proved this success was not an accident. And this year marked his fifth trip to the national competitions and his 11th year of competition.

Gording first began working for Reimer in 1971 as a summer student. He switched from a warehouse job to driving only a few years later because he was getting married and wanted a day shift.

“I enjoy the actual driving of the truck and the contact I have with the customers,” says Gording. “I receive satisfaction from providing good service to customers and making sure they are happy by delivering their products on time.”

Edd Tabashniuk, terminal manager of Reimer’s Regina facility, says Gording is well respected among his customers. For example, Home Depot scores its carriers on a broad base of service metrics. On a scale of 40, Gording received an outstanding 39.

Gording credits his success to professionalism and experience. “You need an awareness to be in compliance with the law, and the ability to concentrate on traffic at all times is of utmost importance. And, of course, luck may have something to do with it.” n