For the third year in a row, a driver from Midland Transport, Limited placed first overall in the Atlantic Truck Driving Championship, hosted by the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association on June 7, 2014 in Masstown, Nova Scotia.

Midland driver Robert Richard placed first in the five axle class, representing the Atlantic Region.  He then went on to compete in the 2014 National Professional Truck Driving Championship in September, where he placed second.

This is Richard’s second first-place win at the Atlantic Truck Driving Championship; his first win was in 2012. In 2013 Midland driver Roland Ralph Craig took home first place in the same class.

Richard has participated in the Trucking Championships for the last four years and plans on competing again in 2015. He has been driving for Midland for the past nine years.

“I didn’t expect to hear my name called out, I really just go for fun, but it felt good,” said Richard. “I really enjoy the challenge of skill driving competitions.”

Placing first in the Amateur Competition division for the seventh time was Driver Relations Coordinator Louise Landry, who has been working for Midland for more than 23 years.

“Every time I participate in this competition I feel like I’m improving my skills and it feels very good,” says Landry.” The atmosphere is fun and I will definitely compete again.” 

Since the late 1950s, the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association (APTA) has been hosting the annual championships. The purpose is to test the extensive knowledge of Atlantic Canada’s best truck drivers when it comes to rules of the road, safety, courtesy, and efficiency.

On average, a total of 50 drivers compete each year in the following categories:

• Straight Truck         (two axle)
• Single - Tandem     (four axle)
• Tandem - Tandem (five axle)
• B-Train

“The five axle has always been the most popular class for drivers to participate in,” said France Gagnon, Project Coordinator for APTA.  “This competition is the only event in Atlantic Canada that allows drivers to highlight their skills and I believe it gives them a sense of pride in their work.”

The competition takes place in three parts including a written test, vehicle inspection, and a series of intense obstacle courses.  Points are awarded for each test with the highest-scoring driver placing first, second, or third in his/her particular category.

There is also an overall Team Award, which Midland won in 2005, 2012, and 2013.

This year APTA hosted almost 50 drivers.  Eleven were from Midland; on average at least 10 Midland drivers compete each year.

Contact: 
Mary Keith 
Vice President Communications 
J.D. Irving, Limited 
506-632-5122 
506-650-8209 (cell) 
keith.mary@jdirving.com