Tight Finish in Team Contest
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KEEN rivalry between the leading teams stimulated interest in the northern section of the Lorry Driver of the Year Competition at Leeds last Sunday. The team winners were the brothers F., H. and S. Brownridge, all working directors of Benn and Sons (Halifax), Ltd. However, they were only three marks to the good on representatives of S.P.D., Ltd.
F. Brownridge, driving a Morris in Class E. came away with an armful of prizes, for he put up best performance of the day, had the best marking on the road circuit, won his class and was a member of the winning team. H. Brownridge was a class winner last year.
There were 117 entries for the rally, most of the competitors coming from the West Riding, with a sprinkling from Liverpool and the north-east. Although Liverpool provided only half-a-dozen entrants their prowess was such that they included two class winners.
The competition was held on the estate of Montague Burton, Ltd., at Hudson Road, and included a tortuous 16-mile road course. On the return there was an oral examination on the Highway Code, followed by parking. width-judging, and loading-bay tests,
In general, A class attained a high standard. Best overall performance was by H. Iredale, of Iredale Bros., driving a 14-ft. 1-in. Morris pick-up, one of the longest in its category; he was competing for the first time. A newspaper-van driver. J. Bell (Morris, Yorkshire Conservative News Co., Ltd.) was runnerup in this class, equal on the tests with H. Smithson, but obtaining his second place by virtue of his superior road performance.
The foundations of the excellent .
S.P.D. team figures were laid by the• consistent showing of W. Hodges (Thames) in Class. B. He beat a previous national winner, J. Hall (Austin. Leedi Industrial Co-operative Society.
Ltd.) by the handsome margin of 26 marks. S.P.D. were again to the fore among the 22-25-ft. vehicle, With G. Linley (Austin) performing with precision to score 426 marks. H. Hatt and S. Brownridge were level with 415, but second position went to Hatt on the score of road handling.
A high level was achieved in Class C with G. Ash (Austin, R.R.S. Parcels) and, H. Harrison (Albion, Hudson Ward) tying for the lead with 427; J. Martindale (Commer, Pease 'Transport) was third with 420.
Laden vehicles were, of course, at a disadvantage, so that J. Bennett (Forlen, B.R.S,) and E. Roebuck (Fodcn, (1. Armitage) could hardly expect to figure at the top. Nevertheless, they deserve commendation for their performances in the width lest. F. Brownridge was winner of the class— the over 25-footers.
Standards generally were good on the kerb test. :
. RESULTS Class A, up to 15 ft.
1, H. Ireclale (Morris, Iredale Bros.), 404 marks; 2. G. Bell (Morris, Yorkshire Conservative News Co., Ltd.), 381 marks; 3, H. Smithson (Commer. G. Cohen Leeds (600). Ltd.), 381 Marks.
Class B, 15-19 ft. I. W. Hodges (Thames; S.P.D., Ltd.), 422 marks; 2, J. Hall (Austin, Leeds InduStrial Co-operative Society),.396 marks; 3, II. Hinchliffe (Comtncr, H. Long, Bradford), 383 marks. Class c, 1D-2 ft. • 1, G. Ash (Austin, 13.R.S. (Parcels)), 427 marks; 2, H. Harrison (Albion, Hudson Ward), 427 marks; 3, J. Martindale (Comma', Pease Transport), 420 marks, Class D, 22-25 it.
1, G. Linley (Atistin, S.P.D., Ltd.), 426 marks; 2, H. Hatt (Albion, C. Preston, Ltd.), 415 marks; 3, S. Brownrittge (Guy, Henn. and Sons), 415 marks.
Class. E, Over 25 ft.
1, F. Brownridue (Morris, .Dean and Sons), 450 marks; 2, 14: Myers (Leyland, !I.R.S.), 438 marks: 3.. R Carter (Leyland, •B.R.S. (Parcels)), 436 marks.
Class F, Articulated (Tractor Under 3 two Unladen)
I, W. Ward (Bedford, A. Hushes, Ltd.), 400 marks; 2, E. Smith (Bedford, Shell Met), 355 marks; 3, T. Mann (Bedford, S. Mann), 354 marks. "
Class C. Articulated (Tractor Over 3 tons Unladen) 1, D. Hall (Commer, Pease Transport), 382 marks; 2, G. Dawson (Leyland, Montague Burton, Ltd,), 359 marks; 3, IL Hardwick (A.E.C., Bulk Liquid Transport, Ltd.), 358 marks. aiRs L • Service 'Vehicles 1, Sat. Elsc (Altana, K.0.Y.L.1.), 403 marks; 2. W.O. A. Wilson (Bedford. K.(r.Y.L,I.). 331 marks. •