Galway man Gabriel Warde from Bullaun, Loughrea, has landed himself a chance of winning a brand new Scania R-series truck, after securing victory at the Irish Finals of the Scania Young European Truck Driver of the Year competition. Held at Westward Scania’s headquarters in Strokestown, County Roscommon, Gabriel displayed his skill and experience in the presence of representatives from Scania Sweden and members of the Scania dealer network.

Gabriel pitted his talent against 14 other finalists and after a gruelling competition, Gabriel received top marks and was presented with his trophy by Pat Kenny, Chairman, 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. 

A professional driver for over 10 years, Gabriel works for Cummer Transport, Galway, which has the haulage contract for Arrabawn Co-Op Dairies. Every day he drives a DAF CF.85.410 tractor-unit delivering 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.