MASSTOWN, N.S. — The top truckers in Atlantic Canada came out to strut their stuff at the 2006 Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association (APTA) Professional Truck Driving Championships June 10. The event was held at Commercial Safety College in Masstown, N.S.

Top honours in the five-axle class (3-axle tractor and 2-axle trailer) went to Rod Wood of Midland Transport. The best driver in the four-axle class (2-axle tractor and 2-axle trailer) was Herb Peters of Day & Ross. The top driver in the two-axle class (straight truck) was Roy Mattinson of Roy B. Mattinson & Sons Trucking. The winner in the Step Van Class was James Daye of CleanX The Dryclean Xpress. The champion of the B-Train category was Jerry Thibodeau with Irving Oil. Thibodeau also received the Rookie of the Year Award for outstanding performance by a first time competitor.

The team award for the highest scoring team was presented to Armour Transportation. Top scoring team members included Sandy Cooke, James Chambers, Alan Constantine, Chris Griffin, and Victor Poirier.

The winners of the competition will represent the Atlantic Provinces at the 2006 National Driving Championships in Quebec City, Que. Sept. 7-9.

This year’s events saw a large turnout of competitors, with 73 professional drivers showcasing their skills. Competitors drive through a timed precision course which requires them to demonstrate their ability to navigate through obstacles such as diminishing clearance, serpentine, and ally dock.

Organized through the APTA Safety Council, the Atlantic Driving Championship is designed to promote safe driving skills and professional awareness among truck drivers. In order to compete, a driver must be a professional truck driver and must have maintained an accident-free driving record for at least a full year before the event.

For a complete list of winners visit www.apta.ca.