R.H.A. Run Drivers' Contest
Page 73
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STAGED by the Road Haulage Assoelation's York Sub-area, a competition for lorry drivers last Sunday attracted 51 entrants, of whom the best was F. J. Snape (Commer, I. H. Tait (York), Ltd)'. W. Midgley (Leyland, Bailey's Transport) suffered the lowest loss of marks in the class tests, next coming C. Yorke (Bedford, Flowers Transport, Ltd.). After the classes were sorted out the leaders each took a turn on a Commer six.wheeler, going through width-estimation and kerbside-parking tests a second time to decide the champion.
The event was run rather on the lines of the Lorry Driver of the Year Competition. The sponsors hope that next year their fixture will take its place as a local round of the national competition.
It began with a road circuit, on which drivers were officially observed by experts from the York Motor Club. The standard of driving was fairly high, but the only competitors to complete the test without penalty were J. R. Haigh (Atkinson, K. Wilson (Corn Merchants). Ltd.), J. W. Hargrave (Thames Trader, K. Wilson (Corn Merchants), Ltd.), and A. PuIlon (Austin, J. and E. Bertram). Manccuvring tests were performed at Acaster Malbis R.A.F. Station.
In a tight "garaging" test, which formed the third exercise, the drivers were required to run forward into a bay and then to reverse into another bay set adjacent and at right angles to the first, a task demanding some dexterity with the bigger units. Both E. Hodgson (Commer, J. H., Trotter, Ltd.) and R. Hodgson (B.M.C., J. H. Trotter, Ltd.) were outstanding, as were Haigh and J. Lowson (Atkinson, J. E. and C. H. Rooke).
To the spectator there appeared little to choose in the tests between Yorke and Midgley, but the latter proved slightly the better on marking. The most consistent team performance was put up by Lawson with 77 marks lost, E. Pink (Albion), 96. and G. Rooke (Albion), 100, representing J. E. and C. H. Rooke.
Pullen, who was champion of Class B. is a 17-year-old and was the youngest driver in the contest.
Handling the Commer six-wheeler in the width-judging and kerhside-oarking tests was all in the day's work to the men in the classes over 22 ft. Snape was placed first with II penalty points. Midgley and Yorke. tied with 27 points, but Midgley was faster and so gained second place.
In addition to trophies there were cash awards for the most successful competitors—£5. for the best performance of the day and £2 for the class winners.