GRAND BEND, Ont. – Under clear skies and a deceptively potent sun (as my sunburn would attest), racers and show’n’shine participants once again converged at Grand Bend Motorplex Sept. 6 in the spirit of competition.

The annual Earl Hardy Trucking Big Rig Nationals, sponsored by Truck News, provide a rare opportunity for truckers to test the mettle of their machines and pit their rigs against each other on the quarter-mile drag strip.

Mark Shephard piloted his 1997 Freightliner to the top spot as champion of this year’s event. He was followed closely by runner-up, Lance Riley who raced his 2001 Peterbilt.

In the parking lot, a competition of another variety was taking place: the Team Truck Centre Show’n’Shine.

Frank Bergen’s 2000 Kenworth was the runaway winner as Best in Show.

The highly-customized rig also took top honours in the category of Best Kenworth.

Other winners included: DJ Jackson, Best Fleet; Larry Serre, 2005 Peterbilt, Best Interior and Best Paint; Jeff Carsey, Peterbilt, Best Dump Truck; Mason Wilkins, Peterbilt tractor, trailer, Best Truck/Trailer; Gary Falconer, ’68 GMC, Best Vintage; Jonathon Hardy, 2003 Kenworth, Best Earl Hardy Truck; Henry Neustaeter, ’88 Freightliner, Best Day Cab and Best Freightliner; Jay Bird, 1996 Pete, Bad-Ass Truck and Best Peterbilt; Les Thompson, 2007 Western Star, Best Western Star; A. C. Hunter, 2006 Sterling, Best Sterling; Dave Walzack, 2005 Mack, Best Mack; Mike Windas, ’04 International, Best International; and Ron Jarriott’s homemade truck took Best Sport Truck.