LORRY DRIVER OF THE YEAR BIRMINGHAM ROUND
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From Very Good to Generally Poor
BY P. A. C. BROCKINGTON
A LTHOUGH there were some good I-I drivers at the Birmingham LDOY contest on Sunday, it seemed generally agreed among the officials that the overall standard compared unfavourably, to a marked extent. with that of last year's contest.
Midway through the event, Mr.'Gerald Aston, clerk of the course, observed that the results of the route tests were poor. Mr. Len Patrick, TRTA divisional secretary, was a marshal at the bay test and assessed the proportion of drivers who asked for inStructions as some 20 per cent of the total. He concluded that they had not bothered to read the regulations, and marshals on the kerb, reversing and width-judging tests reiterated this criticism.
But the best were very good. Winner of Class A and of the TRTA cup for the best C-licensed driver, R. M. Brewer completed the contest with a remarkably low total of 56 penalty points; and although theaverage penalty of the other class-winning drivers was at least double
BIRMINGHAM RESULTS.
Class A-up to 16 ft. and from 201 cwt.; I. R. M. Brewer (Fisher and Ludlow Ltd.), Morris. 56 penalty points: 2, J. Cotton (Birmingham Cooperative Society Ltd.), Morris. 115; 3. K. Hughes (Joseph Lucas Sales and Services Ltd.), Austin. 158.
Class B-16-19 ft.: 1, M. Chatwin (Birmingham Co-operative Society Ltd.), Morris, 109, 2, F. Booth (spo Ltd.), COMMIE r, 142: 3, 3. S. Wooding (Austin Motor Co. Ltd.), Austin, 177. ChM C-19-22 ft.; 1. B. D. Davies (Ausiin Motor Co. Ltd.), Austin, 1413; 2, A. Coining (Morns Commercial Cars Ltd.). Morris, 148: 3. V. S. Mills (Morris Commercial Cars Ltd.), Morris. 148. (Order of merit based on route-tes( results.).
Class 1)-22-25 ft.r. 1.„ H. I. Farmer (Mitehells and Butlers Ltd.). BMC, 92; 2. J. Whittacker (Fisher arid Ludlow Ltd.), Austin, 104; 3. D. Crowtoo (Schweppes (Home) Ltd.). Bedford. 117.
Class E (1)-user 25 ft., two axles: I, C. A. Beaman 4). K. Walker (Transport) Ltd.). Commer, 127; 2, J. Lynden (Guest, Keen and Ncule(olds (Screws and Fasteners) Ltd.), Bedford, 204: 3. L. Kendrick (L. Kendrick and Son Ltd.). Com:vier, 217.
C:ass F(2)-arlie tractive unit under 4 tons, box 1, J. L Morgan (Gibbons Transport Ltd.), Ford, 122; 2. R. B. Jeanes (Shell-Mex and BP Ltd.), AEC. 179: 3, E. J. Hardware (Schweppes (Home) Ltd.), Atkinson, 283.
Class F (1)-artic tractive unit nudes 4 tons, Bat or sided stani-trailer up Co 38 444 I. D. Brett (Austin Motor Co. Ltd.), Austin, 106; 2. H. Millington (Fisher and Ludlow Ltd.). BMC, 109; 3, I. T. Lorton (Midland Counties Dairy Ltd.), Bedford. 114.
Class F (2)--artic tractive unit under 4 tons, box or tanker send-trailer tip to 38 ft.: 1, H. J. Vernon (William Warne (Holdings) Ltd.), Bedford, 102; 2. 1. Dobson (Fisher and Ludlow Ltd.). Morris. 179; 3, 1. G. Edwards (Midland Counties Dairy Ltd.). Bedford. 203. ChM G-arde tractive unit over 4 tons, flat Of sided semi-trailer up to 38 ft.; 1. R. Roberts (13138), Bristol. 156; 2, A. Vincent (BRS). Leyland, 217; 3, A. R. Broad (British Road Ferry Services Ltd.), Bristol, 281.
Class H-arde bradive unit over 4 tons, box or tanker semi-trailer 1. L. J. Tombs (Shell-Met and BP Ltd.), AEC, 198: 2, W. Dainty (BRS). Leyland, 225; .3. D. M. Turner (Shell-Mex and BP Ltd.), AEC, 572. Best C-licensed vehicle Driver: R. Brewer.
Bent Aand 11-liceosed Vehicle Driver, 3. 1. Morgan.
this, none could be ruled out as a potential national champion.
For example, it would have been difficult to find fault with the handling of an Austin articulated outfit by D. Brett (Austin Motor Co.) in any of his manceuvring tests in Class F(1). He lost 106 points compared with 109 lost by the runner-up, H. Millington, driving a BMC outfit for Fisher and Ludlow.
Winner of Class E(2) and of the RHA Cup for the best Aand B-licensed driver, J. 1. Morgan (Gibbons Transport Ltd.) also did well to improve on the average of the best 25 per cent in his class by 43.4 percent, with eight competitors in the class. In achieving an advantage of 51.7 per cent to win the TRTA cup, Brewer was competing against 10 Class A drivers Only one service driver took part in the contest, and no award was therefore made.
Few eliminating centres have such highly qualified or enthusiastic organizers and marshals. But, as stated in previous reports, it is obvious that the poor quality of the programme, the multitude of mistakes it contains and its nonavailability to the general public, has a devitalizing influence on the event.