Low Entry, High Standard at Stoke
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.A REDUCTION of some 30 per cent in I—I the number of entrants in last Sunday's Stoke-on-Trent Lorry Driver of the Year contest compared with 1962 was described by Councillor J. E. Hulme, chairman of the Stoke-on-Trent Road Safety Committee, as a matter of serious concern, when speaking at the officials' luncheon before he introduced air. J. Westwood, Lord Mayor of the City, who later presented the cups. Greater effort would be made next year to attract entrants, said Cir. Hulme, particularly local operators, the number of which showed the most marked decline. He congratulated entrants on the very high standard of driving in their route test, the proportion who completed the test without penalty points being better than 80 per cent. The majority of leading competitors also did remarkably well in the Highway Code test.
Star driver, 5. C. Martindale of Tate and Lyle Ltd., scored his fifth win in Class C driving an Albion four-wheeled tanker with the lowest penalty points of the day, of 108, but E. Owen, National Coal Board, ran him a close second with the loss of 110 points at the wheel of a Foden in Class D. Corresponding with this order of merit, one of the two Tate and Lyle teams in the contest won the team award and three N.C.B. drivers (five teams were entered) had the distinction of winning the Best Stoke-on-Trent team award. All the six Tate and Lyle drivers gained places in the class events and two of the 15 N.C.B. drivers.
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Although a marshal on the widthjudging test described some of the competitors as "out-for-the-day drivers who are ignorant of the regulations ", it was generally conceded that the average driving standard was better than last year. Another marshal on this test pointed out that "apparent perfection" always proved to be technically very imperfect.
As usual the marshals of The British Motor Racing Marshals Club did their job extremely well and the last of the 81 competitors had completed the tests by 1.15 p.m. In a high wind with a lot of dust and some drizzle, continuous music was appreciated by the majority, but no attempt was made to foster good public
relations by inspired comment 'on tin loudspeakers. The absence of details it the final results showing losses• in eacl test was criticized by a number of driver who wanted to know "where they hat gone wrong ".
Martindale was runner-up in the 196: Lorry Driver of the Year final and WM the chairman's award of merit for• thi best consecutive performances in 1959 1960 and 1961. It is common knowledgi that Tate and Lyle drivers are givet every encouragement to prepare forth competitions and art example of this a the Stoke event was the presence of Mr H. B. Hiscocks, managing .dIrector o Tate and Lyle Transport Ltd.