Brandon Daley had just parked up for the night in Tauriko, Tauranga, when Mike and Alison Verran spotted his impressive Kenworth T909 on the roadside. With eye-catching straight stacks and a comfortable 36in Aerodyne sleeper cab, this 2018 model, with a 620hp Cummins Signature engine, stands out impressively in Viper Red. The unit is even more striking with the livery’s lines continuing from the cab along the B-train curtains.

Brandon drives for Mainline Distribution, based in Te Pōi, near Matamata. His days are spent carting general freight New Zealand wide. “Yeah, I was down in the South Island last week,” says Brandon.

Raised by a truck driver, Brandon says he was “born into driving”. He continues, “I used to go for rides with Dad … and anyone else that I could. I would go to roll call at school, then skip out over the back field, over the railway lines and into Provincial Transport’s yard in Paeroa and go for a ride with whoever was heading north next.” His passion for trucks has led to a 36-year career so far.

When asked what he likes most about trucking, Brandon laughed and says, “I like fast trucks, fast women and fast food”… a quote from the 1978 cult classic movie Convoy!

However, his dislikes were more serious. “The inconsistency, having different rules and regulations at worksites, when each place is much the same. Unless, of course, it’s a hazardous place. Back in the day, there was one, just common sense.”

The chat with Brandon was concluded with the vexing question, “Who would you most like to meet and why?” After some hesitation, Brandon starts to laugh and says, “Sheriff Buford T. Justice of Montague County, Texas, from the 1977 movie Smokey and the Bandit … He reminds me of my dad!”