A bull for BR
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by lain Sherriff
• A bull which broke loose at Georgie Market, Edinburgh, on Sunday almost wrecked the LDOY event. But before any real damage was done the animal was diverted into a field by British Railway drivers. It was last seen heading west—and the Glasgow event is this Sunday! The three "cowboyswent on to take the honours in class Fl .
Bull there may have been but it was the competitors who found themselves on the horns of dilemma. Often I have criticized competitors for not reading test instructions; on Sunday they didn't have them to read. Despite this unfortunate blunder the scores were respectably low in many cases.
More than one driver confessed to me that before they began competing in the contest they did not look at the Highway Code. More than 70 per cent of the Edinburgh contestants had clean sheets on the code section—a remarkable achievement.
The GPO postal drivers just failed to emulate their Belfast colleagues by taking first and third places in class A. They were divided by the Scottish Gas Board who had two second places in classes A and B and won classes El and D. They also won the team prize. Back at the final this year is BR's Bill Lumsden who won his class at Bramcote last year. He was the man who caused a few to blush by taking the RHA trophy.
Shell-Mex and B.P. Ltd. was first in E2, F2, and Eh when added to its Aberdeen triple triumph this company will present a strong challenge to other finalists. There's no doubt training pays off.
J. Fox of Schweppes (Foods) Ltd. was not content to win class C—he wanted to know where he had lost his points. His object was not to protest, only to improve his driving.
The South of Scotland Electricity Board will have T. M. MacDonald at the final and the other member of the Edinburgh team will be a BR driver, J. Stevens.
The most closely fought class was H where five points separated first and third. The stumbling black for most was the kerb parking and it was this test which finally decided class H.
Competitors are not allowed to watch at the centre where they are competing before they compete. In the 1,000 spectators I spotted a few who will be competing at Glasgow next week. That's enthusiasm for you—and it's not against the rules.
EDINBURGH RESULTS Class Al Up to 16ft: 1, A. C. Forsyth IGPO Postal) Morris, 61pts; 2, K. Ritchie (Scottish Gas Board) BMC, 76; 3, E. Mout IGPO Postal) Morris, 95, Class B: 16 to 19ft: 1, T. M. MacDonald (S.S.E.B. Edinburgh) Commer, 138:2, F. Niven (Scottish Gas Board) BMC, 264.
Class C: 19 to 22ft: 1, J. Foe (Schweppes (Foods) Ltd.) Bedford, 68; 2, D. Dougherty (Scottish Brewers Ltd.) Eif, 79: 3, Dvr. Johnston (230 Sqn. RCT) Bedford, 82.
Class D: 22 to 25ft: 1, J. Cairns (Scottish Gas Board) BIM, 45; 2, S. Archbold (British Railways) Bedford, 55: 3, Cpl. Anderson 1230 Sqn. ACT) Albion, 103.
Class El: 25ft with two axles: 1, J. Robertson (Scottish Gas Board) BMC, 79; 2, C. Wilson (Plessey Co. Ltd.) Leyland, 86: 3, J. McCrum (Ministry of Public Buildings and Works) Leyland, 88.
Class E2: Over 25ft with more than two aides: 1, J. R. Wilson (Shell and BP Ltd.) Leyland, 66; 2, Sgt. Little (230 Sqn. ACT) Leyland, 91; 3, H. Littlejohn (B.O.C. Ltd.) Foden, 107.
Class Fl: Flat or sided seml-trailers with flat or drop-frame, up to and including 33ft overall length: 1, W. Lumsden (British Railways) Bedford, 95; 2, P. Greenshields (British Railways) Karrier, 108; 3, J. W. tindore (British Railways) Bedford, 122.
Class F2: Box or tank semi-trailers with flat or dropframe, up to and including 33ft overall length: 1, H. Russell (Shell and BP Ltd.) AEC, 154; 2, L Smith (Shell and BP Ltd.) AEC 260; 3, W. Hutchieson (Shell and BP Ltd.) AEC, 282.
Class G: Flat or sided semi-trailers with flat or dropframes, over 33ft: 1, J. Stevens (British Railways) Bedford, 95: 2, J. Grandison (Scottish Brewers Ltd.) ERF, 149; 3, A. S. McGuigan (John Bryce (Contractors) Ltd.) ERF, 157.
Class H: Box or tank serni-frailers with flat or dropframe over 33ft: 1, R. Graham (Shell and BP Ltd.) Scammell, 183; 2. F. Rodgers (British Railways) Seddon, 186; 3, M. McKendrick (Russell of Bathgate Ltd.) Atkinson, 188.
Best team: Scottish Gas Board, Best Service driver: Driver Johnston (RCT).