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 honours at the event was Mario Desjardins of L. Simard Transport in Quebec, who was crowned Grand Champion.

Rookie of the Year honours 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 Alberta.

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 axle

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.