Darren Ward, or ‘Wardie’ as everyone calls him, hails from Townsville, Queensland. Needless to say, when the North Queensland Cowboys are playing at home, he knocks off early.

Howard Shanks caught up with him while loading at a local quarry. Darren reckons it’s better to sit in the airconditioned comfort of the T409 SAR cabin than stand outside in the tropical heat.

The Kenworth T409 SAR truck and quad-dog he drives is set up for Aussie PBS at 55 tonne GCM. The truck packs an e5 Cummins set at 410kW (550hp) with an 18-speed manual Roadranger and Wardie was quick to add that the SAR is the best truck built by Kenworth.