Rules for Drivers' Contest Changed: "Artics" Divided
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FUEL rationing may-cause next year's Lorry Driver of the Year Competition to be cancelled. Nevertheless, arrangements for the competition have been completed and the revision of the rules was finished last week. The regulations are now to be drafted.
The national organizing committee last week accepted an offer by the Road Haulage Association to make good the loss on this year's competition.
Although Mr. S. E. Clark, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, had stated that manufacturers were opposed to the idea of providing vehicles for the final competition, the committee decided to make a formal application to the Society for permission for manufacturers to do so. At present, the validity of the offer by the British Motor Corporation, Ltd., to supply two vehicles is in doubt.
Two Rigid Vehicles An earlier resolution that finalists should drive a I4-ton-gross fourwheeler or articulated outfit (The Commercial Motor, November 23) was rescinded. It was decided that two rigid vehicles should be used, one a fourwheeler and the other, a. six-wheeler..
In future, the articulated class will be sub-divided into tractors up to 3 tons unladen, and those over 3 tims"unladen.
Arrangements are being made for an eliminating round to be held in Southend-on-Sea. It will be sponsored by the Eastern Area of the Road Haulage Association, and may take place in April.
Stewards are to be given complete power to interpret the regulations and the senior steward will be appointed by the national committee. Vehicles specially adapted to give a competitor an unfair advantage will be excluded.
Organizers of eliminating rounds are to be told that the national regulations must be observed in every detail. Breaches will cause the centres to be excluded from the final competition. Standard equipment, in the form of obstacles, is to be provided. Officials at eliminating centres will have to measure vehicles, instead of relying 'on manufacturers' specifications of length and width. A competitor. will he allowed to open the cab door on the driving side of the vehicle to improve his view when reversing.
There will be at least two compulsory tests in all eliminating rounds. DriVers will have to switch on their lights to signify that they have completed a test.
The road section of the competition will be at least 10 miles long, with 10 check points. The examination on the Highway Code will be conducted with the drivers seated in 'their cabs. Five written questions requiring simple answers will be supplied front Coventry.
In the ..manceayrability tests;_ entries , will be scrambled so that identical vehicles do not follow one another. In the final contest the order Of running• will be decided by ballot, and the finalists will not be allowed to watch each other's -performances • At last week's meeting of 'the national committee, . it wasdecided to. ask the Traders' Road .Trinsport• Association and the R.H.A. to assist in arranging inspections of -vehicles and in setting up agreed standards of examination.
Subject to finance being available. the committee agreed to associate themselves with the international competition.
It is understood that the organizers of the 'Scottish Commercial Vehicle Driver of"the Year Competition have asked the international committee to allow them to enter the international competition.