bird's eye view by the hawk 5 alk about embarrassment...The
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Hawk is forever in the debt of seven-year-old Ben Howarth, whose father is $.1-arage manager for UK Waste at Great Yarmouth. Following a chance conversation with his Dad 1 am reliably informed that, according to young master Howarth, a truck which does a "wheelie" on its front axle is, in fact doing an "endie".
Not a lot of people know that—but as Ben is a keen biker and skateboarder he should.
So what's all this got to do with Commercial Motor? It just so happens that at Truckfest on 4/5 May you'll have the chance of seeing a man doing an endie in a truck when daredevil stuntman Patrick Bourny (above) puts his amazing 4x4 Renault, otherwise known as The Space Machine through its paces.
Not content with that the truck also produces a blast of flame from its exhausts. Don't say you haven't been told! (Message to the Hawk: How come you didn't know thal?—Ed)
Been there, got the teeshirt 0n a moment of idleness while contemplating the upcoming Truckfest (4-5 May, be there— Ed) I found myself listing the musthaves for the perfect owner-driver's machine. These include: 100 amber running lights; forklift driver's knob on the steering wheel; beaded seat cover; bull-bars and air horns; triangle of pennants stating "Scania/ Volvo/Merc driver"; chrome exhaust; Monsanto Clear Pass mudflaps cut down and cable-clipped to the steps; air-line in the cab (to blow the dirt around inside when you're bored—and, of course, a chrome "Haulin Ass" grille badge. But what's the most coveted add-on? The Hawk is prepared to send a free sweatshirt to the reader offering the most imaginative and original (not to say humorous) suggestion.
Eyes right
My attention has been drawn to last week's campaign by Devon and Cornwall Police to test the eyesight of drivers. Those who can't read a number plate at the official 20.5m are invited to go directly to a Magistrates Court without passing go. Or anything else for that matter.
A case of seeing through the eyes of the law
Teddies hit the road
rahe charity Action Research, which raises cash for medical research, has a proud record. Since its foundation in1952 it has helped fund major breakthroughs such as the polio vaccine, ultrasound tests and artificial hips. It's official mascot is Paddington Bear.
All of which explains why truckers are invited to support the charity's "Bring your Bear" day on 25 June (Paddington Bear's official birthday) by taking their favourite teddy bears out on the road with them, and making a donation.
To find out more call Action Research's Bear Line on 01403 210406.
Aussie go up over
EEow that ERF is owned by Western Star, a delegation of Western Star operators went walkabout from Australia to Sandbach to check out what we pommies have to offer. Their factory visit coincided with the launch of an ERF built for the land of Oz with a Western Star badge to make the cobhers feel at home. The Hawk would like to make it clear that he is always available for such junkets (fat chance—Ed).
Dire warning
0 s it me or are more people using the back of lorries and vans to communicate? I don't mean through stylish liveries, rather the messages written in the layer of dirt on the back with a fingertip.
Aside from the ever popular "also available in white", "don't wash, plant potatoes" and the seasonally adjusted "A merry Xmas to all our readers" The Hawk was struck by the following, on the back of a grime encrusted curtainsider: "Eric, I've taken the other trailer. This one's brakes don't work..."
If you see Eric, tell him. Assuming he's come to a stop by now.