ABBOTSFORD, B.C. — More then 50 of the best professional truck drivers from around B.C. are expected to compete for a chance to represent the province at the National Driving Championships.

The 2007 British Columbia Professional Truck Driving Championships will be held on June 23 at the Tradex Centre in Abbotsford, B.C.

There are six classes of competition ranging from the smaller Step Van through to the larger BTrain. Winners of each class will compete at the National Championships to be held in Regina in September.

Defending their B.C. class titles from 2006 will be John Court of Surrey, John Lawley of
Abbotsford and Richard Green of Surrey.

The competition will consist of three tests of knowledge and skill: a written exam, which tests the drivers general knowledge of the industry and equipment; a vehicle pre-trip inspection, during which drivers must find a series of planted defects; and the actual driving competition, which simulates the everyday skills of maneuvering, cornering and judging distance on an obstacle course.

To be eligible to compete, each driver must be accident free for the twelve month period prior to the championships.
The British Columbia Trucking Association organizes the truck driving championships on an annual basis to test and honour those professional drivers who help keep B.C.s roads safe for all motorists.

The driving portion of the contest will take place from 8:30 a.m. to approximately 4:00 p.m. Spectators are welcome and there will be family entertainment and no admission charge.

For more information on the event, visit www.bctruckrodeo.com or www.bctrucking.com.