Sunshine and skeletals
Page 31
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by C. Hyams • Newcastle's LDOY organizers start with an advantage because of their excellent site at the Team Valley Trading Estate. Add to that the perennially good weather they enjoy and you have the basic recipe 'for a good contest. Although proceedings got off to a shaky start an hour late, with some vehicles making an unofficial tour of the road route, the marshals soon had things under control and the 127 competitors--30 more than last year—were through the tests by 3.30 p.m. and it was all over, including the run-off and presentations, by little more than an hour later.
For the first time British Railways vehicles entered this eliminator, with a large contingent of 13 drivers from the newly opened Stockton and Newcastle Freightliner depots. Their 40ft-long skeletal trailers—which some thought should have been loaded with containers --caused the marshals some bother in test 2. By the time six class G vehicles had negotiated the test, it was obvious that the approach was too short. Thus they were allowed a re-run with the 10ft extension allowed in the rules.
The most hotly contested class was C, with a tie between F. Snaith (Air Products Ltd.) and A. Kendal (W. C. Robertson (Carlisle) Ltd.) with 50 points each, the latter winning the cup on his clear road route run.
Only contestant returning to Bramcote this year will he J. T. Lowes (P.O. Telephones) who again won class A. Two drivers pushed into second place last year but who won awards this year were class E (1) and F (1) winners-A. Jerrard (Newcastle Co-op. Society) and A. Warner (Scottish and Newcastle Breweries Ltd.).
NEWCASTLE RESULTS Class A: Up to 16ft: 1, J. T. Lowes (Post Office Telephones) Ford, 70pts; W. Ayre (00 Telephones) Morris, 84; 3, R. Jardine (W. C. Robertson (Carlisle) Ltd.) Morris, 100.
Class B: 16 to 19ft: 1, E. Donawho (RAF, Carlisle) Karrier, 56; 2, T. Harper (W. C. Robertson (Carlisle) Ltd.) Commer, 60; 3, B. Martin (Ministry of Public Building and Works) Commer, 67.
Class C: 19 to 22ft: 1, F. Snaith (Air Products Ltd.) Bedford, 50; 2, A. Kendal (W. C. Robertson (Carlisle) Ltd.) Ford, 50; 3, F. Miller (W. C. Robertson (Carlisle) Ltd.) Morris, 73.
Class D: 22 to 25ft: 1, 0. Metcalf (Procter and Gamble Ltd.) Bedford, 57; 2, W. McDonough (Newcastle Co-op. Society Ltd.) Bedford, 65; 3. R. Edgar (Schweppes (Foods) Ltd.) Bedford, 68.
Class El: 25ft with two axles: 1, A. Jerrard (Newcastle Co-op. Society Ltd.) Bedford, 55; 2, K. Thompson Air Products Ltd.) Albion, 60; 3, G. T. Doggett (Ministry of Public Building and Works) Leyland, 84.
Class 52: Over 25ft with more than 2 axles: 1, W. Robinson (Beecham Foods Ltd.) Atkinson, 88; A. McGee (Armstrong Cork Co. Ltd.) Albion, 92; 3, C. Tye (Petro)ina (GB) Ltd.) Atkinson, 114.
Class Fl : Flat or sided semi-trailers, with flat or drop-frame, up to and inducing 33ft overall length: 1, A. Warner (Scottish and Newcastle Breweries Ltd.) Karrier, 175; 2, M. Hodgson (British 'Railways) Bedford, 205; J. B. Morris (British Railways) Bedford, 205.
Class F2: Box or tank semi-trailers, with flat or drop-frame, up to and including 33ft overall length: 1, A. Marshall (Petrolina (GB) Ltd.) AEC. 106; 2, R. Bentley (Esso Petroleum Co. Ltd.) Bedford, 171: 3, D. MacKay (Brett's Oil and Grease Co. Ltd.) Bedford, 308.
Class G: Flat or sided semi-trailers, with flat or drop-frame, over 33ft: 1, D. G. Povey (Scottish and Newcastle Breweries Ltd.) ERF, 95; 2, J. T. Laidler (Scottish and Newcastle Breweries Ltd.) Ford, 130; 3, S. B. Howard (Stepney Haulage Co.) BMC, 151.
Class H: Box or tank semi-trailers with flat or dropframe, over 33ft: 1, H. Welsh (Gulf Oil (GB) Ltd.) Guy, 125; 2, G. N. H. Davison (Esso Petroleum Co. Ltd.) Leyland, 217: 3, D. Kingdon (Gulf Oil (GB) Ltd.) Guy, 222. Champion driver: 0. Metcalf (Procter and Gamble Ltd.). Team award: Newcastle Co-operative Society Ltd. (A. Axon, W. McDonough, A. Jerrard).