Slow on profit but fast on the road
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Leyland Vehicles may have lost £70m last year but the Roadtrain is no sluggard and was winner in the class up to 350bhp in the Grand Prix du Camion at the Paul Ricard circuit near Marseilles. It was third overall in the 20-lap final after taking first and second places in two qualifying heats.
Even then, Leyland's gremlin was lurking at the victory ceremony. A combination of a complicated points system and an administrative slip denied Rene Vettorietti, who came third, his place on the podium.
His co-driver, Gerard (Big) Bizouard, was not having that. He used his Roadtrain to block the victory car, delaying its lap of honour until Vettoretti was given his garland. I wonder where he learned that trick.
A Renault 310, entered and driven by Eric Bacon, of Bacon Transport, Pinxton, Nottingham, did well to finish 10th in its class and deserved greater acclamation. It was driven 1,000 miles to the circuit and was back delivering soft drinks for a Midlands brewery immediately after the race.