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This is a show for all reasons!

6th May 1999, Page 18
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

It's a social event...it's a truck show...it's a business

seminar—no, it's Commercial Motor Truckfest. Which means it's all these things and more. As CM's team of reporters trawled the East of England Showground for the stories you see here, they found the usual magic mixture of serious business...

• Commercial Motor editor Brian Weatherley helped drive the diesel duty message through to Talk Radio listeners at Truckfest with a live interview with presenter Alex Kitson. The 24-hour talk station has been an active supporter of the road transport industry and Trans-Action's on-street protests through its "Big Boys' Breakfast" programme. CM was kept busy supplying Talk Radio with the facts and figures behind the industry's battle against unfair diesel prices and VED rises. Weatherley warned that operators' patience is being stretched to breaking point. More radical action could be the next stage as a new industry pressure group, British Road Haulage Unite, threatens a stoppage on the M25 in a fortnight's time ( CM29 April-5 May).

• Cindy Williams, wife of the RHA Southern and Eastern Region information officer Steve Williams, was kept busy at Peterborough handing out "Fair Play on Fuel" stickers. Steve Brown, an artic driver with Grimsby-based JT Howard, wanted one for the back of his wagon. Brown has been driving for six years and reckoned the situation in the industry was "terrible, everyone has to be concerned about the foreigners coming over". The RNA printed 5,000 stickers and as CM left Steve Williams told us: "I'm going back to the office for some more!"

• Last year Roy Gill's Queen of Hearts 95 XF stole the show; this year he was back, with an unusual 95XF 430 FTR single-rear-wheeled tag axle tractor sporting a Legends of Rock paint job worth 03,000. Among the icons featured are Tina Turner. Meatloaf. Bob Dylan. Mick Jagger and John Lennon. Gill, based at Tidoswell, near Buxton, Derbys, says the rear tag layout on a short wheelbase is best for traction and manoeuvrability. Until two years ago his fleet was all Scania, but he has been impressed by the 95's performance and Daf backup. Gill says he will Inc sticking to 58 tonnes as only custoiners will benefit from higher gross weights. Leyland Daf says it sells only 20 tag-axle tractors a year as most hauliers still prefer traditional twin-steers. • Truckfest has always been a showplace for unusual wagons—this Oshkosh 6x4 wrecker, operated by Coden Plant Hire, was built in the Cape Province of South Africa in 1962. Looking like an extra from "Wages of Fear", the well-preserved Cat-powered six-wheeler has a GPI of 85 tonnes with 400hp on tap. To finish It off the bonnet side panels and doors are adorned with big-game murals, while Houghton gear sits proudly on the back. Who says you need new kit to do the job well?

• Scania had one of Jordan's Williams Mugen-Honda Fl cars on show, but it was the powerhouse tractive units that took pride of place: George Green Transport displayed a pair of R144L 530 6x2s, contracted to Hadley Industries hauling steel sections for the building trade. The aluminium on these beauties had already consumed around a dozen tubes of Solvol Autosol when we got to the stand, and Green's fleet certainly deserved a prize. Both tractors are confined to UK operations and don't travel on ferries—just as well, looking at those impressive Eminox Lake pipes so close to the ground.

• Volvo is keen to bring its Mitsubishi light trucks to a wider market, and they'll get plenty of publicity from this Tommy Walsh, the builder from TV's "Ground Force" gardening programme, has swapped his ageing Cargo for a Mitsubishi Canter 7.5-tanner. The Canter, on a 3.76m wheelbase, has a 3.5m Townsend alloy tipping body and a hefty steel toolbox. Payload is said to be 3.6 tonnes. • Scania took its Used Truck Roadshow to Truckfest, but it wasn't the only manufacturer to turn up with trucks for sale. Volvo has followed its lead, and will be launching a Select Used Trucks scheme at the end of this month. This FH12 340 is one of the first of these approved, limited-mileage vehicles that will be offered with a Volvo warranty. • Seddon Atkinson dealer Direct Commercial Sales of BrIgg has sold six Strata 405 tractive units to local grain haulier Firbank, and hopes to sell more. Sales manager Dave Frankish pointed out his firm's willingness to adapt vehicles to suit customers' needs: these 6x2s (it's a Statocruiser in the foreground) have had their batteries and air tanks moved to accommodate sidemounted hydraulic tanks for tipping duties.

S Cummins should have won a prize for "Sound of the Show" with the roar from this static— but running—Signature 600 engine. Truckfest marked the first UK public appearance of the 600hp, 15-litre successor to the N14 range, but we won't be able to buy it (or lowerrated ISX variants) until Euro-3 emissions rules come into force. Before then we'll get the 440hp ISM; a development of the M11 which will go on sale this summer.

PI Mack Arrowsmith from Alf Arrowsmith & Son is still driving this Dodge rigid which is a tad over 36 years old. Mack got it for his 21st birthday and reckons it's now done more than a million miles. The firm is a bit more soft on it now and only takes it out a couple of times a week. There are seven other vehicles in the fleet: a mixture of artics and 15-tonners. The firm's based in Market Drayton, Salop; its main haul is livestock, grain and coml.

• This was Oldham-based Shearing Haulage's fifth outing to Truckfest. The firm operates three artics: this brand new Daf 95XF, two 95s and a Volvo FH12. It hauls trailers for Norfolk Line from all over the UK to Felixstowe, atthough the firm reckons it would be better off taking them to the Continent as it could then fill up with cheap fuel. Like everyone in the industry Shearings is being hit hard by the duty increases, but at least Norfolk Line is reviewing its rates. This truck is driven by Damien Davies who has painted his wife and daughter's names on the front. He says he is passionate about trucking but "would get out if I had any sense". • Ian Flidley, 27, has been an owner-driver since he was 18. "I started nine years ago on a 7.5-tonner, moved up to a sixwheeler when I was 21 and then finally got my first arctic when I was 23," he says. That was a 10-year-old Scania but Ridley has just bought himself a brand new MAN so he can't be doing too badly. "Looks are deceptive, though," says Ian. "The fuel jump is absolutely crippling us. Who knows what lies ahead?" Ridley comes from a family of hauliers, His father and uncle run half a dozen trucks but he was determined to go it alone. "We get on too well as a family for work to come between us," he remarks. Doing his Hollywood bit, Ridley sends his thanks to his family, and to TM Conner & Son and Cubby's Signs for painting his wagon.

• Pictured are Paul Pettitt (left) and Terry Stephens from boles Transport. The firm brought 10 trucks to Truckfest this year; that's just a fifth of its fleet—boles claims to be one of the biggest hauliers in the Midlands. The trucks run from 7.5-tanners to a couple of 44-tonners; they're all Mercedes-Benz from Medic Bond in Shepton Mallet.

• Steve Lyons, a driver for PC Lyons & Sons, was hoping for a prize at Truckfest this year. His wagon has already had some success, with two thirds last year in the Working Truck class in Truckfest South-West and a second at the South-West Truckers Paignton show. His grandfather started the firm back in 1960; there are currently 12 trucks working on concrete kerbs, blocks and slabs around Axbridge, Somerset. There's a loyal customer base but, says Steve, "the con struction industry hasn't picked up for around 12 months." The rest of the firm's trucks are a mixture of tippers and artics.

I" This Isuzu MPR 6.2 was converted into a horse transporter by IPD. based near Harlow in Essex. Isuzu and IPD got together to develop the truck, which has a GM of 7.5 tonnes. Payload is about 1.6 tonnes, which is more than enough to carry two 16-hand horses in comfort. IPD says it uses Isuzu because it can offer a bespoke service at a good price—around 139.000 for this 3.82mwheelbase example. The transporter comes with a spring-loaded ramp, saddle area and room to slip into your jodhpurs.

• There are only two axles on this 15m trailer from Ilmor Engineering of Brixworth, Northants. WhyP Because the unit, married to a Mercedes-Benz 1857 Actros, cruises around the United States transporting two racing cars for the Penske racing team, so the trailer is in more danger of cubing out than going over the US weight limits. It also has room for living quarters and the team's tools and equipment.

This brand new 18-tonne cement mixer starts work with The Concrete Company of Peterborough this week. Unlike most mixers its based on a two-axle chassis: in this case a Mercedes-Benz 1823 Atego. Kitted out with a Hymix body with a capacity of 10 tonnes, the mixer was bought by the company to cater for smaller jobs where a bigger threeaxle unit would be a waste. • It takes a lot of recovery wagon to right and tow a 41-tonner—and this converted Leyland Daf is designed to deal with any truck on UK roads. Based on a stretched 480hp 95XF, it's the flagship of the fleet run by Service Garage Recovery and Repairs of Wickford, Essex. The fuel tank is moved behind the cab on the Boniface-bodied truck, which also features a fourth rifting axle.

Intake Transport immediately stands out because of the striking blue livery of its fleet. This Sheffield-based outfit transports steel from Yorkshire to Scotland. Driver Mark Griffiths, whose cab sports the legend The Full Monty on its rear, explained that the company believes smart outfits win business. And it seems to be true. "We are never empty," Griffiths told us.

• This was the third year that Coles & Son of Banbury had exhibited at Truckfest. Nigel Coles, who runs the business with his wife Denise, says the event renews interest in the company's fleet of six Scanias following the winter. Drivers take a chance to buff up their vehicles, which all have dramatic liveries ranging from the Statue of Liberty through to dragons, aircraft and the latest Star Wars. "It's a good chance to clean up the vehicles and show them off," said Coles. The company works in general haulage; a good deal of its work comes from Merlin Distribution which specialises in the distribution of white goods such as fridges and cookers. According to Coles the best thing about visiting Truckfest is meeting other people in the industry: "There's a great social side' he said. • Originally designed for quick getaways while repossessing cars, this Century Express-equipped lsuzu is discovering a new market—drivers can load up without leaving the cab and drive off in just 30 seconds, making roadside recovery much safer, says lsuzu. Engine-powered hydraulic arms sweep around the wheels of a stranded car and lift it off the ground. This 143hp 7.5-tonner starts service trials with the Metropolitan Police this week: 11 more are due to go into service in the near future. The rig was developed about a year ago and is selling well, says lsuzu, with a list price around £36,000. Bodywork on the vehicle is by Boniface.

Meat transporter DL Turner of Bakewell, Derbys, has its fingers in several pies—though not literally! The sevenvehicle company runs an abattoir in Dundalk, Ireland and owns a farm close to its Derbyshire headquarters. The business was founded about 30 years ago by Derek Turner; CM met his son Will and daughter Anne who now run the business on a day-to-day basis. "We send a lot of pork waste abroad," says Will. "and backload with coal. While we're abroad we can fill up with cheap diesel as well." Anne made a name for herself as UK Lady Truck Driver of the Year at the last Gosforth show. No stranger to Truckfest, this is the company's fourth appearance: last year it reached the finals of the Best Kept Rigid and Best Kept Small Fleet awards.

• Mendlesham-based Brian Palmer Transport's drivers enjoy Truckfest. They can only really relax on the Sunday because they are back to work on Monday. But on the Sunday they get the chance to enjoy a few beers and meet colleagues from throughout the industry. The company came last year too and as driver Paul Good said: "You meet a lot of people you know but you also make a lot of new friends as well." Brian Turner Transport specialises in pulling curtainsiders out of Felixstowe Docks and runs a fleet of 18 vehicles, all Volvos. Is there any particular reason for this? "No," said Good, "It's just always been Volvos throughout the years." CM left the drivers to relax and enjoy their beers while they could. Pictured, left to right, are Darren Dewsbery, Terry Thomas, Billy Cameron, Paul Good and Jason Red1t.

• Tippers must be the hardest vehicles to keep clean, but Chippenham-based IC Bond obviously makes the effort. It's a cuiture that finds favour with management and drivers alike. Driver Andy Smith said that people think he's odd because he arrives in the yard at 05:00hrs to clean his ERF before heading off to work in a quarry. On occasion he also stays late to make sure the wagon is clean for the next morning. The company runs three units on crane and tipper work. Edward Bond, grandson of the founder, says the company has been coming to Truckfest for several years: "it's a good social occasion. You get to know everyone and you have a good weekend and a good laugh."

Jean Green, co-director of Sheffield-based Askey Transport, summed up the spirit of Trucicfest. "I've been here for three days. It's all about the camaraderie—there really is a party atmosphere," she said. Commenting on the benefits of the big event, Green added: "You can get in touch with other haulage firms and see what is going on." She described Truckfest as a great opportunity to look at new vehicles, but it's not all about trucks. The social side Is equally as Important; she said that the beer tent is a strong attraction and an ideal place to speak to fellow hauliers. Her fleet was strongly represented, with two Leyland Oaf 95s, a Leyland Oaf van, a Daf 45 and a Oaf 1900 rigid on show.

• Out on the road drivers don't often get the chance to meet up with each other, but Truckfest is all about catching up with pals—and that's what Nick Rippard, driver for Shrewsbury based Tony Pugh Transport, was doing. He said: "I see a lot of people I know here; it is nice to see some old faces."

Many people return to Truckfest year after year. Mick Johnson, who drives for Farr Transport of Bedfont, Middx, said that he enjoys representing his firm; on Sunday he was able to meet a couple of Farr Transport customers. What are the other highlights? "ft's good to look at the technology and now products," he told us. "I also enjoy meeting all the other drivers," And what about accommodation? No problem—Johnson had simply loaded his caravan onto the back of his Mercedes 314 7.5-tonner. Summing up Truckfest, he commented: "It's about the trucks and the people—it is a good weekend." Is Many Truckfest visitors sleep in their cabs, but others stay in rather more comfortable surroundings. Stephen Dale, owner of Dale Transport from Ashbourne, Derbys, brought a caravan along to accommodate his family. "It's a good weekend away and it's nice to see other hauliers and what vehicles they are running," he remarked. "It's useful to see the products on show. The drivers also come—they have an interest here as well."

• Visitors to Truckfest have no shortage of things to see and do; there's always a lot going on. Those with families are spoilt for choice with the selection of sideshows to keep the kids entertained. And when it comes to the social life, the faciiities are on offer to guarantee a bit of a knees-up. Stephen Mowatt, who drives for Barnsley-based Moorcroft Transport, was making the most of the opportunity to share a drink and a joke with other drivers: "I've been coming to Truckfest for five years," he said. "The beer tent is brilliant, and it's good to meet people." What with all the socialising, was Stephen getting enough rest? "I'm sleeping in a double bunk; I get a good night's sleep here," he told us. He definitely plans to be back at Truckfest For 2000.

• This year's Truckfest was the first for Essex driver Terry Heweil of Tiptree's Wilkin and Sons, and he told us he was loving every minute of it.

• Kenny of South Park fame may not have passed his HGV licence yet—but Ben Attwood, who drives for J&M Attwood of Hounslow, clearly thinks ft's time he learned. Attwood told us he won the puppet in a Truckfest fair on Saturday evening, Competition winner or not, Attwood said he enjoys the show year after year no matter what. "The other shows are good" he added, "but this one beats them all".

• Robert Shaw, generally known as Young Robbie, drives for Barnsley-based Envirowaste Skip Hire. "The company usually brings six wagons to the show," he said. "However, we have only brought three this year because they are not visually ready for Truckfest." Robbie, who has been with the company for 12 months, commented that Truckfest seemed to be one big part/. "It's a great place to relax," he said. Robbie has called his truck Barnsley's Number One. "It used to mean that we are both the best skip company in Barnsley and we have the best team in the football premiership," he told us. Oh well, one out of two isn't too bad, is it? • This wagon dates back to 1943, says owner Jason Green of Ge Be Transport of Kings Lynn. It's called Dave's Dream and is named after Jason's father, who bought the truck "a few years back". Jason explains: "We called it the dream because we restored it fully as a memory to our dad when he passed away in 1995. We felt it's what he would have wanted." He had entered the former fire tender for the Best Vintage Truck award. Green mentioned that his firm, which runs a fleet of 10 trucks, was also entered in the Best Fleet and Best New Truck classes.

• This is the first time that driver Pete Hickinboftom has brought a truck to Truckfest, but he has been to the show before as a spectator. "I love this show," he said. "It's brilliant—but I am absolutely knackered after all the walking around looking at the trucks." Peter's truck is dubbed Claire Louise, after his wife. "She will be joining me at the show on the Monday," he told us. "She is a big fan as well."

In Before showing his Iveco at Truckfest's "EuroStar alley" HC Wilson stopped outside the Peterborough Showground to park up BO tonnes of steel tube. The 380E47 arctic is based on an extralong-wheelbase EuroTrakker 6x4 with an extra axle conversion by Iveco dealer North East Truck and Van. It is one of two but for heavy haulage operations up to 150 tonnes GCW. • (Right), Danish body kit supplier Kel-Berg has a new stepframe which comes complete with two extra moving decks rated at seven tonnes apiece. It runs on air-suspended BPW axles with 235/75R 17.5in tyres and can be supplied either fully built up or in flat-pack kit form. It's designed for weights up to 48 tonnes gross, with a tare weight is 9,200kg. The decks are lifted by a combination of pulleys and pneumatics beneath each floor.

• This MAN tractor looks like any other 19.414FLT 4x2—but it features the new Eaton AutoShift S-Series 16-speed synchro transmission. Production versions are beginning to enter the UK; one of the first users is AR Craib of Aberdeen. The system is controlled by a column lover and a conventional clutch is retained for starting up and stopping. The AutoShift option costs around £2,500 but this premium will fall as volumes increase. • ({_eft), Raven Trailers, winner of a Commercial MotorTrailer of the Year award, had one of its latest "Drop & Go" sliding brick and block carriers at Truckfest. It's one of a pair for Mick Thompson's Cannockbased fleet and comes complete with a Hiab 085 traveling grab crane. Hauled by a Cummins-powered 6x2 Foden 3405 tractor, the 3+3 outfit gets into awkward sites by transferring the rear part of the load forward and then retracting the trailer to 30ft.

• Norfolk haulier Jack Richards, who normally favours standard ERE sleeper-cabbed tractors, is now turning to the extra space of the high-roof Olympic cab. This example is the first of a batch; it comes with a Cummins M11-380 in-line six, Eaton's Twin Splitter box and lifting tag axle. ERF's Truckfest stand hosted a full line-up of the company's models, from "ERF 1", the very first truck to be built by the company in 1933, to the latest Turkish-built EP6 two-axle rigid.

TRUCKFEST '99

TWO-WHEELER Mick Rose, a fitter from Norwich, got to Truckfest on his Kawasaki GPZ500S motorcycle, which is a hit more spritely than your typical 40tonner."It's the first time I've been here and I am impressed," he told us. Mick was particularly taken with the Cummins engine display.

AELIMIffHWEILE John Stewart, a driver for Eatons Transport of Poole, reckoned that his first trip to Truckfest had been worthwhile.'l have a Leyland Daf 45 7.5-tonner and do general haulage in the UK,' he said. Truckfest gives him the opportunity to see everything that he could possibly want in the truck world. "I like looking at the old and new vehicles. It is fantastic here," he commented. "It's everything I could want. I will be back next year."

NM USE

Paul Duggan of Duggans Transport believes Truckfest has come at just the right time for the beleaguered haulage industry. We need this release at the moment," he said. ''gt chance to put a smile on our faces." Duggan also feels Truckfest is a relief for his fleet of trucks: "It gives us all a chance to give them a polish and shine, which is not always easy when they are always on the roads working."

MN NM The Transport &General Workers' Union reported plenty of applications for membership at its Truckfest stand. Drivers are gaining more confidence to fight for better conditions since the change of government, said a spokesman, who added that the Working Time Directive has created a lot of interest.

TRUCKERS RIME

South-West Truckers had a strong presence at the show, with six vehicles making the journey to Peterborough. The group, which has more than 2,500 members, presents its own award at the Shepton Mallet show and is thinking of doing the same at CM Truckfest next year. SWT is mainly a social organisation and does a lot of work for charity.

MANE SAFETY

Cormach crane distributor Ernest Doe & Sons of Colchester is offering a neat in-cab over-height warning device for operators of lorrymounted cranes and tippers. A green light shows everything is safely stowed away; a red iight warns the crane/body is extended; and a warning buzzer sounds when the PTO is disengaged. It costs £125 (ex-VAT) with discounts for bulk orders.

Contact: 01206 871881.

KURD PRIZE

In 1988 Favor Parker driver Les Gaskins won a Renault G290 tractor for a year in a CM competition. The Renault is long gone, but Gaskin wants to find out what happened to it. "We drove her all over the place and I want her back," he said. "Wherever she is I want her to come home!" if you have any information on the whereabouts of f77OGKX give Gaskins a call on 01553 810073 or 0468 090407.

BEST YET

Clive Stone is a driver with Derbyshire's OW Mellor. He attends the show "almost every year" and said: "It's a spot-on event, getting better all the time." Stone has been at the show for six years in a row. "It's all fantastic," he told us.

STATESIDE DEN

First Point International had a stand offering drivers the chance to live and work in the USA. The firm offers advice and training, including a week of instruction in the theory of the Florida commercial driver's licence which should lead to a Green Card for qualifying drivers. The service costs in the thousands" of pounds, but finance is available. The process starts with an appraisal which costs £99.95. Contact: 0171 7249009.

LOMAS' RIM Renault VI says it listened to drivers while developing its new Kerax eight-legger. The company showed a 32-tonne, 340Itp muckaway version fitted with a steel Loadmaster body—it says the truck represents a commitment by Renault to improving its market share in the OK.

THE WINNERS

COMMERCIAL MOTOR

BRITAIN S HEST-KEPT WORKING TRUCK 1st: Mr Dobson.

2nd: GBOrge Groom

3rd; FO Bond.

I= 2: !Et =

BEST-KEPT OWNER-ORNER VEHICLE 1st: Mr Dobson. 2nd: Mr Clarke. 3rd: Mr Chrtstouher.

TRUCKINSURE

HEST-KEPT RIGID 1st: FG Bond.

2nd: Axminster Carpets. 3rd: K&W Brick.

TRANSPORT & GENERAL WORKERS UNION

BEST COMPANY-OWNED VEHICLE 1st: George Green.

2nd: EA Gill. 3rd: RD GilL

C =Mall I■

BRITAIN'S BEST-KEPT SENIOR WORKING TRUCK 1st: PG Bond. 2nd: FG Bond. 3rd: MI Christopher.

DRIVER HIRE

BEST S S 1-HER TRUCK 1st: Mr Parker. 2nd: PTS Transport. 3rd: Coles & Sons.

Dry EUROSERVICE

REST-KEPT SMALL FtEET OF THE YEAR 1st: Coles.

2nd: Trotter. 3rd: C..1 Mouton.

BP TRUCKSTOPS

BEST-KEPT LARGE FLEET OF THE YEAR 1st: Axminster Carpets, 2nd: Bond & Sons.

Brd: itll Gill

SEAFRANCE

WORKING MAW TRUCK OF THE YEAR 1st AD GIII.

2nd: Steve Smith.

3rd: Tempress Transport.

EUROTUNNEL

INTERNATIONAL SUPERTRUCK CHALLENGE 1st: Paul Scam. 2nd: NY Recovery. 3rd: Belgian Scania.

LEDO DIE-CAST MODELS

BEST VINTAGE & RESTOREC COMMERCIAL VEHICLE 1st: GE & BE Transport.

2nd: Farnborough Truck Hire.

3rd: J Longthorne.

SPEEDLINE

PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD 1st: T Scott Harris. 2nd: lady Diana. 3rd: Brave/road


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