Many Entrants at Leeds
Page 50
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SUPPORT for the North of England eliminating contest at Leeds last Sunday in the Lorry Driver of the Year Competition came principally from the West Riding. There were 115 entrants, and the competitors' day started with a 14-mile observed road circuit in the Leeds industrial area. after which drivers returned to the headquarters of the event on the estate of Montague Burton, Ltd.. in the Trent Road district.
A series of four tests then had to be completed and questions on the Highway Code answered. Two of the tests followed the lines laid down by the national organizers, whilst the others were formulated by the northern committee. Best performance of the day was by D. Sheard, an owner-driver from Pontefract, who gained 521 marks out of a possible 600. Level on test marking was S. M. Smith, but Sheard had a better showing on roachnanship.
Creeping Through
in three tests times were taken, hut only for the purpose of deciding ties, and for this reason there was a decided tendency for drivers to creep through the necessary evolutions to avoid the risk of being faulted. Normally, the individuals concerned could hardly proceed with such deliberation and, without introducing an element of speed into the competition, there would seem to be a good case for fixing class standard times for the tests which could not be exceeded without penalty.
The most interesting of the tests was the figure-of-eight, which was staged on a gradient on which were placed three pylons. From the starting gate the competitors climbed past these pylons, leaving the first on their left, the second on their right, the third on their left, then passing into the finishing gate. They then reversed, passing the pylons on the opposite sides.
cl / For most of those penalized, difficulty was presented by the middle pylon. which lay on the blind side on the return. Mates were not carried so, as one driver ruefully expressed it, there was nobody to give the "aye-aye," to which so many heavy goods drivers are accustomed.
Among particularly good efforts noted here were those of James E. Clarke, with a B.R.S. Parcels Leyland from Bradford, Leonard Carlton, with the A.E.C. of Messrs. Marriotts, Sheffield; and S. A. C. Pearson, with an A.E.C. refuelling tanker from the R.A.F., Church Fenton.
in general there was a tendency to overestimate requirements in the chooseyour-width test, which was as described in The Commercial Motor on June 15. The real " heavies" showed better than average judgment, hut, perhaps because of the missing mates, a few omitted to
allow for the presence of the near-side mirror.
The right-angle reverse into a bay, with the object of halting parallel with the sides, found a number in difficulties, probably because a wide cross-roads -was used. This meant that there was a definite temptation to start the reverse too early and so to approach the mouth of the " box at too acute an angle.
The fourth test was based on reversing past an " obstruction," with limited room on the off side and parking close to the kerb in the limited space behind. One shunt forward was allowed, but many competitors still managed either to cross the kerb or to finish too far from it.
A good showing was made by Services entrants, some of whom had vehicles such as aircraft refuelling tankers, which demanded great skill in handling.
RESULTS Class A: Up to 15 ft.
1. L. Fahy (Messrs. E. and It Walton, Seddon). 457 marks; 2, V. C. Smith (Messrs. H. C. Smith and Son, Morns-Commercial). 421 marks; 3, E. Kearsley (Yorkshire Conservative Newspaper Co.. Ltd., Bedford), 416 marks.
Class B: Over 15 ft., up to 19 ft.
1. W. Spooner (British Oxygen Co., Ltd, Dennis Max), 453 marks; 2. K. Cottingham (Stanley Works 1G.13.1. Ltd., Austin), 408 marks; 3, V. R Campbell (Telephones, Seddon), 388 marks.
Class C: Over 19 fr.. up to 22 Ft.
1, D. Sheard (Messrs, D. Sheard, Seddon), 521 marks: 2, S. M. Smith (Broadhead Transport Co.. Ltd., Albion), 521 marks; 3, L. Damms (Messrs A. Marriott, E.R.F.), 463 marks.
C1255 Dr Over 22 Ft... up to 25 ft.
I. H. 13rownridge (Bean and Sons 11-1X1. Ltd. Guy Otter), 472 marks; 2, J. Hogarth (Rockware Glass. Ltd.. Sentinel), 472 marks: 3. C. E. Cmssiand (Yorkshire Copper Works, Ltd., Dcani, Pax), 455 marks.
Class E: Over 25 ft.
1. J. F. Howbridge (R.R.S., Stockton, Leylano Octopus), 427 marks; 2, L. Carlton (Messrs. A_ Marriott, A.E.C. Mammoth). 398 marks: 3. 1. E Clarke (B.R.S. • Parcels, Bradford, Leyland Octopus), 391 marks.
Class F: Articulated 1, J. Parker (Shell-Mcx and 13.1'., Ltd. Scammell), 411 marks; 2. 3. Spalding (B.T.C.. A.E.C. Mammoth), 402 marks; 3, A. Witham (FIRS., Sheffield. A.E.C. Mercury), 402 marks.
Armed Services
1. Set. G-aceeliffe (49 R.A.S.C., Austin), 426 marks; 2, S.A.C. Pearson (R.A.F., Church Fenton, A.E.C. Mammoth tanker), 369 ntarks• 3. S.A.C. Hannah (R.A.F.. Church Fenton), 33'narks.