WINNIPEG, Man. – The province of Saskatchewan may be known as the Land of Living Skies, but it was the stars of the blacktop that really shone at this year’s National Professional Truck Driving Championships.

Saskatchewan’s team of drivers won the 2003 championships, while the province’s Dwight Fisher of SLH Transport was crowned Grand Champion.

The National Professional Truck Driving Championships are held annually, alternating between provinces.

Winners from each of the provincial championships take part in the event, which involves driving through an obstacle course that poses a wide range of challenges.

This year’s competition was held at Red River Exhibition Park in Winnipeg, Sept. 6. The competition also includes a written examination and a pre-trip inspection.

The top newcomer to compete in the championships was Manitoba’s Barry Bird, also an employee of SLH Transport.

He took home the hardware in the Rookie of the Year category.

Other winners included: John Klassen (Man.) Reimer Express Lines, Step Van Class; Trevor Edgerton, (Ont.) SLH Transport, Straight Truck (two-axle) Class; Gary Good (Man.) Reimer Express Lines, Single/Single (three-axle tractor/trailer) Class; Harvey Gording (Sask.) Reimer Express Lines, Single Tandem (four-axle tractor/trailer) Class; Fisher (Sask.) SLH Transport, Tandem/Tandem (five-axle tractor/trailer) Class; and Marlen Peterson (Sask.) Cameco Corp., Super B-train (eight-axle tractor/two trailers) Class.

Members of the winning Team Saskatchewan included: Keith Parker of Purolater Courier; Ralph Schierling of Reimer Express Lines; Brian Weslowski of SLH Transport; Gording; Fisher; and Peterson.

They tallied an average score of 375 points, giving them top honours in the team category.

The events were judged by members of the Winnipeg Police Service; the Winnipeg Fire and Paramedics Service; the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; and the Manitoba Department of Highways and Government Services.