Held at Westward Scania’s headquarters in Strokestown, County Roscommon on 3 July, representatives from Scania Sweden were in attendance as were members of the Scania dealer network together with family and friends of the contestants.

Just after receiving his trophy and prize from Patrick Kenny, Chairman; Westward Scania and Joe Crann, Managing Director; Westward Scania, Gabriel said he was delighted to win the competition which tested the many skills required by a truck driver today such as preserving fuel consumption, manoeuvrability and safety. “I didn’t expect to reach the Final, never mind win the overall competition,” he said. Gabriel pitted his talent against 14 other finalists around a tough manoeuvrability course, set up by event co-ordinator Mark Dodd and adjudicated by members of the Road Safety Authority. In second place was Eric Kelly (Limerick) with Robert Baker (Tipperary) completing the podium places.

A professional driver for over 10 years, Gabriel works for Cummer Transport, Galway, which has the haulage contract for Arrabawn Co-Op Dairies. Gabriel delivers milk to depots around the country. He follows his brother Alan (a Musgrave driver) who qualified for the Finals on two occasions in the past.

Gabriel now goes forward to represent Ireland in the European Finals to be held in October in Sweden and is in with a chance to win a new Scania R-series, International Truck of the Year 2010, worth €100,000.

Pictured above from left to right are: Stefan Lindblom (Scania Sweden) Eric Kelly (second) Gabriel Warde (first) Robert Baker (third) Joe Crann (Westward Scania) and Patrick Kenny (Westward Scania). 



Written by: Jarlath Sweeney – fleet transport