Clockwork Timing by Birmingham Marshals
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A LTHOUGH the 145 competitors in ri the Lorry Driver of the Year competition at the Birmingham Centre, on Sunday, represented an increase of 25 per cent. compared with last year's total, the results of the contest were broadcast more than an hour earlier. Warm tributes were paid to the marshals for this admirable achievement by organizers and drivers. In addition to the 12 members. of the Shenstone and District Car Club, who formed the nucleus of the marshal force, enthusiastic assistance was also given by a number „of wives and other "ladies of the family."
Apart from a series of bad faults by competitors in Class B, an unusually high standard of skill was displayed by the large majority of entrants in the three manceuvring tests. Some drivers who gave an exemplary performance failed to obtain a• place in the first three.
No one doubted that the immaculate driving of W. Hirons, for example, • conducting'an Atkinson 8-wheeler for Woods Transport would earn him a prize; he was, however, reduced to fifth place in Class E. The lowest penalty marks of 124.1 were awarded to S. Beddall of Chance Bros. Ltd., driving a B.B. B.M.C. four-wheeler.
Some marshals claimed that combining eight-wheelers and four-wheelers in the same class on a length basis was unfair to the drivers of the four-wheelers, and others that it penalized the drivers of the eight-wheelers.
The only competitor to be debited lower penalty marks than S. &debit was A. E. Haywood who entered and drove
Commer Cob in Class A. He is a brother of the winner of the 1957 international event, W. T. Haywood, who gained first prize in Class C at the wheel • of an Austin entered by George Prince, Ltd. Something of a walk-over in Class A; A. E. Haywood's marks Of 108.6 were more than 80 lower than those of the runner-up. In addition to winning his class, A. E. Haywood also won the T.R.T.A. Cup for the best C-licensed driver.
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Excluding the B.R.S. lorries, the overwhelming preponderance of vehicles was entered by C-licensed operators. The organizers had hoped that the continued exclusion of maintenance checks would encourage private hauliers to take .part, by eliminating the potential advantage of fleet operators who could afford to withdraw vehicles from service.
Driving a Leyland articulated outfit, L. Sillifant of the B.R.S. Walsall depot, won Class F2 with ease (170.4 marks). He was accorded almost as much applause as A. J. Smart who gained first place in Class G. (232.4 marks) in a Commer semitrailer outfit entered by W. Canning and Co., Ltd._ Those who watched his performance in the three tests were convinced that he would have a very good chance of winning the national final.
Highest praise for the competitors, was given-by the marshals in charge-of Test 1, the gap-gauging test. -Some drivers successfully completed their runs with 3-in. clearances. Parking in Test 3 revealed the greatest contrasts between the good and the not-so-good. Many heavy-vehicle drivers reversing into the .loading bay in Test 2 had to correct their, early faults by repeated shunting, but there were relatively few barrier' infringements.
RESULTS (Marks lost out of 500) Class A (Ulp to 15 ft.)
1.—A. E. Haywood (A. a Haywood), COMMeT, 108.6. 2.-7. Caulfield (1.C.1., Ltd.), Thames, 189.8. Archer (Austin Motor Co., Ltd.), Austin, 270A.
Class B (15-19 rt.) 1,—G. Field (Fisher and Ludlow, Ltd.), Austin, 138.5. 2.—A. Currie (Quasi-Arc, Ltd.). Austin, 144.0. 3.—F. G. McDonald (Mitcheils and Butlers, Ltd.), Austin, 176.3, Class C (19.22 ft.) I.—W, T. Haywood (George Prince, Ltd.), Austin 134. 2.—L. S. Poole (Guest Keen and blettlefolds, Ltd.), Austin, 172. 3.—L, Baker-Price (Quasi-Arc, Ltd.), Bedford, 174.4.
Class D (22-25 ft.) •
1. A. Green (Austin Motor co., Ltd.), Austin, 130.7, 2,—A. Taylor (Chance Bros., Ltd.), Guy, 138.5. 3.—L. B. Eales (Fisher and Ludlow, Lul.): Morris-Commercial, 143.5,
Class E (Orb. 25 ft.) Beddall (Chance Bros,. Ltd.), B.M.C., 124.1. 2.—B. Potintney (Henry Hope and sons, Ltd.), Thames, 146.4. 3.—T. McConnell (70s. Lucas, Ltd.), Foden, 156.1.
Class F (Articulated, Semi-trailers Under 25 ft.).
1.—S. Howell (B.R.S.), Leyland, 235. 2.-7. G. Edwards (Midland Counties Dairy, Ltd.), Bedford, 238.4. 3.—E. Shelton (Weldless Steel Tube Co.; Ltd.), Leyland, 244.6.
Clam S F2 (Articulated, Semi-trailers 22-27 ft.)
/.—L. &Infant (B.R.S.), Leyland, 170.4. 2.—E, Hinkisls (Morris Motors, Ltd.), Morris-Commercial, 246.1. 3.C. L. Edwards (Fisher and Ludlow. Ltd.), Morris-Commercial, 257.9.
Class G (Articulated, Tractors over 3 Tons, Semi • trailers 27-30 ft.)
1,—A. S. Smart (W. Canning and Co., Ltd.), Commer, 232.4. 2.-1. Sande] (Midland Tar Distillers, Ltd.), Leyland, 300.4. 3.-7. Kirby (de Havilland Aircraft Co.. Ltd.), Austin, 302:8.
Class ti (Articulated, Queen MarY-ISPe Semi trailers Over 30 ft.)
1.—/. Raid( (11.R.S.). Leyland, 2231. 2.-3. Evans (de Havilland Aircraft Co., Ltd.); Austin, 416.4. 3.A. Hands (R.A.E.), Bedford. 535.6.