National truck driving champs see first female winner; Ontario scores big
MONCTON, N.B. -- The first female trucker to compete at the National Professional Truck Driving Championships rolled off with top honours in her category this past weekend. Karen King of Purolator Courier, representing Team Ontario, won first place in the Step Van Class. The competition pits first place truck driving championship winners from each province in a time-limited obstacle course. Drivers were also evaluated through a written test and a pre-trip inspection of vehicles to identify defects. The 2005 event was hosted by Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association in Moncton, N.B. All in all, Ontario drivers had a great day by capturing the overall Team Trophy for their province. First place in the Single/Single (3 axle) category went to Jose Vergara of Team Ontario (JD Smith & Sons Ltd). The premiere driver in the Single Tandem (4 axle) class was Herb Peters of Team Atlantic (Day & Ross Inc.) The champion of the Tandem/Tandem (5 axle) category was Dan Congdon of Team Ontario (Reimer Express Lines) and the winner in the Super B Train category was Chris Vanderzwan of Team Ontario (Petro Canada). The best driver in the Straight Truck category was Reimer Express Lines' Larry Radons of Team Saskatchewan. The Rookie of the Year was awarded to Dan Congdon with Team Ontario (Reimer Express Lines) and the Grand Champion prize went to Chris Vanderzwan, also with Team Ontario (Petro Canada).