WINNIPEG, Man. — Manitoba Professional Truck Driving Championship attracted the highest number of competitors since 2006, with 47 drivers vying for the title of Grand Champion at Peterbilt Manitoba June 23.

Participants were required to complete a written test, vehicle inspection station and driving challenge, all of which were timed and scored for each competitor.

The competition, hosted by the Manitoba Trucking Association, also attracted a record number of rookies, with 19 first-time entrants taking part.

The winners were announced at the Driver Awards Banquet. Winners for 2012 include:

– Straight Truck: Matthias Pieper (Bison Transport)

– Single-Single: Bruce McKechnie (Bison Transport)

– Single-Tandem: John Klassen (WM Dyck and Sons)

– Tandem-Tandem: Howard McAfee (H&T Transport)

– Super B Train: Ken Wiebe (EBD Enterprises)

Other event winners recognized at the banquet included

– J.O. Dutton Award: Chad Kitkowski (Canadian Freightways)

– First Time Entrant: Murray Manuliak (Bison Transport)

– Team Award: Blazing Bison (Bison Transport)

– Bjornson Memorial Award: Ken Wiebe (EBD Enterprises)

– Grand Champion: Ken Wiebe (EBD Enterprises)

Committee chair Darcy Olson of Canada Safeway credits a number of factors to the success of this year’s event. “We redesigned the track to include a couple new obstacles this year – the bull’s-eye and yield. In addition, having the 2012 National Professional Truck Driving Championship in Moncton is a big draw for a lot of drivers. That, coupled with the great weather and a committed group of volunteers to ensure the day runs smoothly, resulted in a great truck driving championship this year,” says Olson.