KITCHENER, Ont. — The Central Ontario Regional Truck Driving Championships will be held June 8 at Conestoga College, according to the 2013 planning committee.

This is the competition’s 28th year. To qualify for the championship, a professional driver must meet certain criteria, such as a collision-free record for the past year and no criminal driving convictions. Once qualified and registered, the driver will compete in three events on competition day: a written test (50 points), a vehicle inspection (50 points) and an obstacle course. The driving obstacle course has six parts at a value of 50 points per each obstacle.

The written test involves a 50-question knowledge verification based on road safety and commercial vehicle safety. During the vehicle inspection drivers are expected to find and report planted defects to the Ministry of Transportation inspector that is judging this portion of the challenge. Lastly, the obstacle course simulates manoeuvres that a driver may expect to perform during a routine day. 

There are five classes: straight truck; single-axle tractor with single-axle trailer; single-axle tractor with tandem-axle trailer; tandem-axle tractor with tandem-axle trailer; and B-train.

The top four drivers in each class will move on to the provincial championship, organizers say. The top drivers from the provincial championships will then participate in the National Truck Driving Championships. Awards are also given out for the Grand Champion, Safety Award, Rookie of the Year and the top team.

The competition will take place at Conestoga’s 850 Fountain St., South Cambridge, Ont. facility. For more information, call committee chairperson Dennis Shantz at 519-664-4977 or e-mail him at dennis.shantz@homehardware.ca.