The 14th annual BC championship forklift rally takes place on Saturday, 25 June at the Cloverdale Agriplex venue in Surrey. Prize money totals USD2,800.

The non-profit Canadian Material Handling and Distribution Society in conjunction with the province's WorkSafeBC agency is organising the event.

Rally planners hope to exceed last year's record of 87 competitors and about 500 spectators. The 2010 competitors represented 32 companies, including some from eastern British Columbia and the United States.

The forklift rally's three divisions - narrow-aisle reach truck, power pallet jack and sit-down counterbalance - use separate obstacle courses with competition occurring simultaneously. The top three finishers in each division receive a trophy and a cash prize.

Competitors manoeuvre through a precision driving course and are judged on time, course accuracy and tasks such as forklift basketball and bowling. Operators complete a 20-question, multiple-choice test based on WorkSafeBC regulations.

Forklift suppliers include Raymond dealer G.N. Johnston Equipment Co Ltd of Delta, Yale dealer Harding Forklift Services Ltd of Surrey and multiple-brand Williams Machinery LP of Richmond with a Clark.

Sponsors include Johnston Equipment, East Penn Manufacturing Co Inc subsidiary East Penn Canada, Harding Forklift, Williams Machinery, NIS Training, Pivot Industrial Training Services and Adecco SA employment services.

Pivot Training Services, NIS Training and DWM Unlimited will supply certified trainers to serve as judges.

The rally began in 1997 to promote forklift skills and safety in a fun and competitive environment. Free spectator admission includes attractions such as a lunch time barbeque and a bouncy castle for the kids.