WINNIPEG, (June 1, 2004) — The Manitoba Trucking Association has announced the winners of this weekend’s 2004 Manitoba Professional Truck Driving Championships.

The competition is designed to showcase the skills of the drivers as they negotiate their vehicles through a test track with obstacles simulating everyday driving conditions, as well as completing a written exam and a pre-trip vehicle safety inspection. The event is judged by the Winnipeg Police Service, the Winnipeg Fire and Paramedics Service, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Manitoba Department of Highways & Government Services.

It was a big day for Reimer Express Lines, which put forth the winning team: Reimer Express #2, consisting of John Nowak, John Klassen, Gary Good, Rob Trager, Trevor Mulder, and Glen Babcock. The Grand Champion was Reimer’s Peter Schlichter, who also won the First Time Entrant Award, and The Hal Bjornson Memorial Award for highest score.

Winners in other categories include:

Step van: John Klassen of Reimer Express Lines, first place; Cameron White of Con-Way Canada Express, second place; and Allan Adams of Kindersley Transport, third place.

Straight Truck, two axle: Peter Schlichter of Reimer Express Lines; John Nowak of Reimer Express Lines; and Bill Verbong of TransX.

Single/Single: Gary Good, Reimer Express Lines; Brian Hrabarchuk, Con-Way Canada Express; Cory Shelest, Porter Trucking.

Single/Tandem: Remi Van Den Driessche, LaBroquerie Transfer; Raymond Bock, SLH Transport; Raymond Methot Con-Way Canada Express.

Tandem/Tandem: Trevor Mulder, Reimer Express Lines; Tom Henderson, Reimer Express Lines; Ken Manaigre, LaBroquerie Transfer.

Super B-Train: Ken Wiebe, Ram Messenger; Jim Foulkes, Reimer Express Lines; Trevor Sinclair, Kindersley Transport.