Derry tops on

20th June 1969, Page 190

20th June 1969

Page 190

Page 190, 20th June 1969 — Derry tops on

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Keywords : Associated Equipment Company, Commer, Shell-mex And Bp

Highway Code

by James Millen

• Londonderry was a good, robust Irish round. At the end of the day all concerned were entitled to be exhausted and repair to handy hostelries for revival and mutual congratulation. Unfortunately, revival for me had to wait for the following day (Sunday, not Monday) owing to a previous engagement with a BEA Trident.

Competing on a Saturday rather than on the day of rest is just one of various "Irish" procedures of this Derry day. Another is the length of the road route test—not less than 25 miles! When they test them here they really test them. Still only six observation points of course, but scope for a long stretch of disciplined driving.

The contest was tardy at the Start, only two classes being completed by lunch—but with inner Ulstermen more than satisfied things began to hum when battle recommenced. Boating Club Lane can seldom have seen such activity. For this much credit must go to the organizers and officials as well as to the drivers, the upshot of this combined effort being that the contest was over soon after 5 p.m.

Many fine driving performances were given and some were quite dreadful. But there was for me an outstanding aspect of the driving performances—there were so many clean sheets on the Highway Code test that I had to stop noting them on my programme. Never have I seen so many "0"s on an LDoY scoresheet. More than 20 in the one test.

There were three outstanding displays behind the wheel. Mr. P. Anderson of C.V.A. was named overall winner on the "percentage improvement" system. But, I was glad to note, he recorded (jointly) the fewest penalties of the day with 60. True a GPO man, W. Ross, also returned 60 but that was in "lightweight" Class A. The only other driver with below 70 penalties was D. Gallagher (68), one of two class winners supplied by Scott (Toornbebridge). Another firm to be applauded for having two class winners from a small entry was R. Keys and Co. Ltd. which had winners in C and G.

The GPO which had about 20 entries, packing the first four classes, supplied the top man in Class A only. It did, however, walk off with the two team prizes: a Postal team won the official team award and GPO Engineers WOO a special new Highway Code trophy presented by, yes, the Post Office!

A good round—and remember. an Ulsterman walked away with the title at Bramcote last year. RESULTS

Class A: up to 16ft and over 1 ton unladen weight: 1, W. Ross (GPO Postal), Morris, 60 penalty points; 2, H. A. Patterson (GPO Engineers) Morris. 871; 3. S. McLean IGPO Engineers) Morris, 91. Class B: over 16ft to 19ft: 1, S. Crawford (Scott, Toomebridge) Ford. 102: 2. G. Bradley (GPO Engineers} Morris, 1291: 3, J. Olphert IMin. of Public Building and Works) Bedford, 150.

Class C: over 19ft to 22ft: 1, H. Craig IR. Keys and Co. Ltd.) Commer. 85; 2. J. Robinson (Cornmission—Surveyors Dept.) Karrier, 89: 3, S. Curley {Neal Carlin and Co. Ltd.) Bedford, 1001. Class D: over 22ft to 25ft: 1, D. Gallagher (Scott Toomebridge) Albion, 68: 2. F. Wark P. and J. McCann) Dodge, 85: 3. R. H. Lamberton (LDerry UDC) Commer. 1081.

Class El; over 25ft with two axles: P. Anderson IC.V.A.I Bedford, 60; 2, D. McWilliams (D. McWilliams) Austin, 102. Only two entrants. Class E2; over 25ft with more than two axles: 1, Fl. Campbell (Shell-Mex and BP Ltd.) AEC, 96; 2, M. Hendry (Scott, Toomebridge) ERF, 243; 3, W. McNeill IShell-Mex and BP Ltd.) Albion, 275. Class Fl; flat or sided semi-trailers up to 33ft: 1, J. R. McArthur ICawoods Containers Ltd.) Leyland, 84: 2, J. L Cross (Commission—Electricity Dept.) Commer, 132; 3, S. Roxborough (Ulster Chipboard Co. Ltd.) AEC, 2131.

Class F2; box or tank semi-trailers up to 33ft: 1, D. Lyle (Shell-Mex and BP Ltd.) AEC, 145:

2, C. Malcolms (Cawoods Containers Ltd.) Leyland, 415+. Only two entrants.

Class G; flat or sided semi-trailers over 33ft:

1, J. Heaney (R. Keys and Co. Ltd.) Commer. 72: 2, W. Carson (R. Keys and Co. Ltd.) AEC. 87:

3, J. Camphill (W. Craig Ltd.} AEC, 89.

Class H; box or tank semi-trailers over 33ft: 1, K. Davidson (Ulster Chipboard Co. Ltd.) Commer, 103: 2. W. Borland (Northern Ireland Carriers) Albion. 161: 3. H. Robinson (Ulster Chipboard Co. Ltd.) Leyland. 272.

Overall winner: P. Anderson (C.V.A.I.

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