AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

TORO.UAY LDOY COMPETITION I By Bill Bryan

12th May 1967, Page 95
12th May 1967
Page 95
Page 95, 12th May 1967 — TORO.UAY LDOY COMPETITION I By Bill Bryan
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Title-holder comes a cropper

HEAVY Transport's "saturation" policy of 18 entrants paid off in the LDOY Torquay heat on Sunday. Of the nine classes contested, Heavy Transport drivers won four.

The biggest surprise: A. Stanaway, current title-holder, failed even to be placed in his class. His chances of landing the double were ruined early in the day by a bad test one total.

Bernard Dudley, driving a Foden tipper, took over the champion of champions slot from colleague Bill Mathews, who like the national champion failed to gain a place. This was Dudley's second attempt at the contest. He said afterwards: "Honestly, I never expected this and how the finals will work out I don't know. But at least I've got a lot of mates to back me up!"

David Harper, Thomas Provisions Ltd., St. Austell, is another who will take an unexpected trip to Coventry. Driving a Bedford boxvan, he was placed third in class C, but the rules state that if a competitor driving a boxvan comes within the first six, he is eligible for a shot at the finals.

The Brooks family, F. K. and W., past national contenders, came away with only one prize. W. Brooks, in his first competition, was awarded the Best Driver from Torquay trophy. There was no class F(1) this year due to a measuring fault. But John Grose, Heavy Transport Ltd., road route award winner, came away with the F(1) trophy. Only at the end of the prizegiving did organizing secretary Leonard Newman realize the mistake and then had the unenviable task of getting if back.

Class F(2) doubled last year's entries— to two. 1966 winner R. Tooze chopped his score to less than a quarter of last year's total, to beat E. England by two points.

Heats easier

In the main drivers agreed that the 1967 heats were easier and better organized than ever before. The road route was clearer to follow and the signposts saved, as one competitor commented, "Many of us from asking a policeman the way home!"

However, the Highway Code section brought bitter comment from all. The questions weren't sPecific enough, they said. The examiners referred to "commercial vehicles" which as a driver said, "could mean anything from an Austin van to an 8-wheeler." Another point which worried a few: this section included a question on plating.

In an unscheduled event, a 1950 AEC Mammoth Major Eight was put through the course by F. G. Burt, president of the Vehicle Preservation Society. The vehicle was given to them by Tate and Lyle Ltd., and is about to undergo complete rebuilding.