National Trucking Week

Wednesday, September 10 Supplement to the Winnipeg Free Press Manitoba Trucking Week 2014 9 W hen it comes to talk about skilled professions, truck driving is rarely part of the conversation. That's a shame, according to Laura La Palme, who is responsible for marketing and business development for the Manitoba Trucking Association. La Palme says most people don't realize the high level of skill required to operate a large commercial vehicle. "We don't refer to our people as truckers or truck drivers. We refer to them as commercial drivers or professional drivers," she said. "The truth is it takes a lot of skill (to be a professional driver)." Showcasing the skills of commercial drivers is the primary focus of the Manitoba Professional Truck Driving Championships, held annually at Peterbilt Manitoba. The competition has been around since 1950 and requires participating drivers to successfully navigate a series of challenges on a driving track, pass a written test and receive a score as part of a trip inspection. Champions are determined in a number of categories including single truck, single- tandem and Super B Train. Awards are presented following the competition including for rookie of the year and grand champion. "The whole reason for the event is to showcase the level of skill it takes to do this and bring that awareness to the general public, that it is a skill," La Palme said. "It's not something just anybody can do. We want people to understand it's a skill and it takes a high level of professionalism," she adds. "Just imagine trying to take a 53-foot trailer and back it into a tight space. " This year's provincial competition took place June 21 at Peterbilt Manitoba on Brookside Boulevard. Winners included Matthias Pieper (Bison Transport) in straight truck, Brian Hrabarchuk (Canadian Freightways) in single-single, Ronald Poirier (TST Overland Express) in single-tandem, Denis Roberts (TST) in tandem-tandem and Ken Wiebe (EDB Enterprises) in Super B Train. Each of the winning drivers earned a spot on the Team Manitoba squad that represented the province at the National Professional Truck Driving Championships, held the first week of September in Esterel, Que. It's an event Manitoba drivers dominated in 2013. Team Manitoba was presented with the top team award while TST's Poirier and EBD's Wiebe placed first in single tandem and Super B Train respectively. Howard McAfee placed third in the tandem-tandem category while Jason Novak of Canadian Freightways won the safety award. "It's a very big deal," La Palme said of the national competition. "In a sense, it's like the Oscars for us. "There is a tremendous sense of pride that comes with it. It's something you do every day and now you are considered among the best of the best. It's a huge accomplishment." The MTA's accomplishments haven't been reserved strictly to the road or track. Its member companies and their employees devote considerable time to a number of charitable efforts in the community including the MTA Scholarship Program, which provides $10,000 each year in academic and apprenticeship awards. "It's part of our culture. Our members are some of the largest charitable givers," La Palme said. "It's also about a sense of community for us. It's important for us to show how we are good corporate citizens." Among those charitable efforts for the MTA is the Annual Truck Pull in support of the United Way. Participating 10-member teams pay a registration fee of $500 to see who can pull a 19,000-pound truck 100 metres in the fastest time. This year, 12 teams raised $6,000 for Manitoba United Way. "It's a fun competition and a great way to get people together," La Palme said. "The idea is to raise money for charity and raise awareness of how the trucking industry gives back to the community." Two other causes near and dear to the hearts of MTA members are the Winnipeg Harvest Grow-A-Row project and the World's Largest Truck Convoy in support of Special Olympics which this year involved 190 trucks with $59,000 raised. The MTA began participating in the Grow-A-Row project two years ago and staff have quickly become enthusiastic supporters. In fact, they decided to expand their efforts this year and dug up a 10-foot by 10-foot plot behind the MTA's headquarters on Bunting Street in Winnipeg which they are using to help Winnipeg Harvest in its efforts to feed the hungry. The MTA recently wrapped up this year's World's Largest Truck Convoy. Individual drivers raised money for Manitoba Special Olympics by paying a registration fee and collecting pledges from family, friends and co-workers. Special Olympians got to ride along with participating drivers along the parade route, which began at Oak Bluff Recreation Centre and continued in and around the neighbouring community. "It keeps getting bigger and bigger. It's quite a sight to see. People now line up along the route and watch from their lawn chairs," La Palme said. By Jim Timlick For the Free Press by Darcy Finley Photos by Ian Smart Best of the best Drivers put skills to test; come together for community "It's not something just anybody can do. We want people to understand it's a skill and it takes a high level of professionalism." Proudto celebrateand thankthe dedicatedmen andwomeninour "drivingforce" Our success is ur u r success i cc ur ur ur success success is is because of you! www.keystonewestern.com 204-256-0800 Iles Des Chenes, MB Flatdeckowner operatorswelcome! Calltodaytojoin ourteam! MTA staff launch the Grow-A-Row project. Drivers take part in the Manitoba Professional Truck Driving Championships.

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