BC Champions

Mar 3rd 2009

Rob Balan, Canadian Freightways
2008 Grand Champion
BC Professional Truck Driving Championships

Rob BalanRob was born in Saskatoon, SK to John and Mary Balan, the youngest of 5 children. He moved to Vancouver in 1964.

Rob became a Teamster member in 1974 with Coard Cartage where he drove 1 ton, 5 ton & flat-deck trucks for 4 years. He then began a career with Sidney Freightways in 1978 and acquired his Class 1 Licence in 1980. Rob went on to work with Sidney Freightways for 17 years.

In 1995 he joined the team at Canadian Freightways where he continues his career as a Professional Truck Driver and has had no preventable accidents since 1986.

Rob has been married to his wife Marj for 26 years and they have two daughters Christina (Kalvin) and Robyn who are his biggest supporters at the Truck Driving Championships.

Rob & Marj Balan & Awards PresenterRob has been participating in the Truck Rodeo since 1994 and in his first year he was awarded the title of “Rookie Of The Year”. Rob has always competed in the Tandem Tandem category although he does not drive that type of truck on a daily basis anymore. He has received numerous 2nd & 3rd Place trophies, as well as been a part of a winning Team for the “Team Trophy” a number of times.

Achieving 1st Place in the Tandem Tandem Category in 2008 was a great thrill for Rob, a goal he had worked so hard to achieve for many of years! Being awarded the 2008 “BC Grand Champion” is considered an outstanding achievement by Rob and a title he is very proud to hold! Rob went on to compete in the Nationals in Ottawa in September of 2008 where he attained 3rd Place in the Tandem Tandem Category. Rob was also a part of “Team BC”, winners of the Team Trophy, a first for BC in 21 years! Rob is looking forward to competing in the next competition.

Previous Grand Champions