Big Losses in London's First Competition
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HEAVY penalties characterized London's first eliminating round of the Lorry Driver of the Year Competition last Sunday. Losses of marks might have been even greater if all the tests had been conducted strictly in accordance with the national rules.
A dreary day was enlivened by the outstanding success of the Express Dairy Co. (London), Ltd. Of the nine drivers entered by them, five were class champions (A, B, D, E(2) and F(1)) and the sixth was third in class B. The Crow Carrying Co., Ltd., had 10 entries and secured a win in class 0, and gained the trophy for the best-maintained diesel engine—a foregone conclusion.
The competition 13,Ts sponsored by the Stepney safety organization, but the heavy burden of administration fell on the unfortunate Mr. R. F. Waite, of the Road Haulage Association. • The manceuvrability tests were held in Victoria Park on a site consisting of rough, loose soil and coarse grass. It was impossible to mark out tests accurately on this surface. Moreover, London. County Council prohibited the use of barriers and public-address equipment to control the spectators, with the result that men, women, children and dogs wandered all over the course throughout the day.
There was also a shortage of marshals and h lack of adequate equipment. Most of it appeared to have been brought on chance by the Union Cartage Co., Ltd., c 10 and some had been made by Mr. Waite. Some drivers complained that their employers had not given them the test instructions.
All the drivers did not take the Highway Code test together at the start of the proceedings, consequently it was impossible to prevent collusion. Some of the vehicles were still leaving on the observed road section at .6 p.m., although it was supposed to have been completed before the manceuvring tests started.
As the results were not exhibited, drivers did not know how they had fared, and it was impossible to appraise the general level of performance in the Highway Code test, on the road or in the manceuvring exercises.
UnfortunatelY, the runners-up in Class G, entered by the Union Cartage Co., Ltd., were ineligible to compete, because they were driving tractors, with independent trailers, which are not admitted to the competition. .
The maintenance examination was well organized by Mr. R. E. G. Brown and Mr. J. R. Lemmer. They had the advantage of excellent facilities at the Waterden Road depot of British Road Services. Three teams of four mechanics each were supplied by Watneys, Express Dairy and B.R.S. Maintenance reached an acceptable standard, but something of\ a shock was provided by a vehicle which, until it was discovered to have two broken springs, appeared to be a winner.
RESULTS
Class A—lip to 15 ft.: 1,—F. Battle (Express Dairy Co. (London). Ltd., Morris). 504 penalty Points. 2.—C. Staines (H. Garon, Ltd., Austin), 1731 (two runners).
Class B—I5-19 ft.: 1.—R.. Harrington (Express Dairy Co. (London), Ltd., Morris), 55, 2.—R. Curtis (H, Garrm, Ltd., Austin), 1194. 3.—E. sarridge (Express Dairy Cu. (London), Lid., Morris), 1411'2, Class C-19-22 Carrermole (S.P.D., Lid., Thames), 116. 2.—A. Hill (Pease Transport, Ltd., Bedford), 1471, 3.—T. H. Holmes (J. Thompson and Son (Minories), Ltd., "Shames), 148V,i.
Class D-22-25 ft.: 1.-3. D. Hughes (Express Dairy Co. (London). Ltd., Bedford), 751, Leahy (Power Petroleum Co., Ltd., Leyland), 834, 3.—W. C. Bullen (Union Cartage Co.. Ltd., Thames), 99.
Class E(1)–Over 25 ft., two axles: 1.--R. J. Leggott (Evan Cook's Depositories, Ltd., Conorter), 94, 2.—D. Mackie (Smedley's, Ltd., Leyland). 198 (two runners).
Class E(2)—Over 25 ft., more than two axles: 1.--R. Gulwell (Express Dairy Co. (London), Ltd., A.E.C.), 66, 2.—R. 3. Hilsdon (Union Cartage Co., Ltd„ Thames), 79, 3.-1. Webb (Pease Transport, Ltd., A.E.C.), 85.
Class F(1)--Articulated, tractor under 3 tons, seml-traller under 22 ft .t 1.—D..Evans (Express DairyCo. (London), Ltd., Bedford), 59. 2.-3. Dean (B.R.S. (Parcels), Ltd., Seddon), 231.
Class F(2)—Artientated, tractor under 3 tons. send.tr.iller 22-27 ft.: 1.—J. R. Morgan (Thomas Allen. Ltd., Bedford), 67, 2.—F. Corbel! (Evan Cook's Depositories, Ltd., Bedford), 123. 3,--T. Warren (Thomas Allen, Ltd., Dennis), 125. Class Ell—Articulated, tractor over 3 tons, send-traNer up to 27 ft.t 1.—H. Baggaley (Crow Carrying Co., Ltd.. Secturnell), 143. (Runners-up ineligible.) Class II—Articulated, tractor, any weight, semitrailer inure than 27 ft.: 1,—R. Underhill (Adams Bros. (Kingston), Ltd., Austin), 79. 2.—W. Teasdalc (Adams Bros. (Kingston), Ltd., Austin). 137 (two runners).
Best-maintained C-licence vehicle: W. G. Edwards (Hall and Co„ Lid., Bedford).
Best-maintained A or B-Ileence vehicle: G. Larkin (George Bristow, Ltd.. Austin).
Best-maintained diesel engine: A. Thompson (Crow Carrying Co.. Ltd., Scarnenell).