Enthusiasm is Catching
Page 62
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ITwas a long day at Northampton on Sunday. In fact, it was 7.30 p.m. before every prizewinner had received his award; but as stated by a driver with nods of approval from his mates: "It's enthusiasm that counts, and there's lots of it at Northampton".
I had questioned this driver and a number of others regarding the personal letter that had been sent to every driver at his home address by Mr. W. H. S. Avery, the organizing secretary, welcoming him to the event and giving details of the competition. They were unanimous that the letter added a personal touch that enhanced the appeal of the event. "Mr. Avery keeps you in touch over the loudspeaker, too", added the first driver. "And that's important".
Yes, it was a long day but a zest for the event prevailed all round, not least amongst the Northampton car club marshals, and a typewritten list of results, giving the first three drivers in each class, was available before the prize giving was completed. Some 132 drivers took part in the competition which ended with the class winners having a run-off in a Bedford TK Class B-type vehicle, loaned by C. Butt Ltd., a loal haulier. Entries were accepted from as far away as Spalding and Cheltenham.
Repeating his class win of last year, T. Ince (Express Dairy Co.) was penalized 239 points in Class A (which included a total of 9 points lost in the Highway Code and route tests) and he also won the local championship event, this time with a loss of only 184 points in the three manoeuvring tests. The best overall performance of the day on points was that of L. Fleming (ShellMex and BP) who drove an AEC immaculately in Class E2.
Probably for the first time in any competition, a competitor's tyre burst during a test. This raises the question as to whether the method of mounting a pylon or barrier legs on a thin metal base should be discontinued on the score of safety. The incident happened after the kerb test of an articulated vehicle when it was being reversed close to the leading barrier. Dislodgement of the outer leg by the body of the trailer caused the base plate to penetrate the casing of the nearside tyre of the tractor driving axle. P.A.C.B.
NORTHAMPT ON RESULTS
Class A up to 18 ft. and from 20 cwt.: 1. T. Ince (Express Dairy Co. (London) Ltd.). Morris. 239 penalty points: 2. G. Wakefield (Painton and Co. Ltd.), Ford. 332: 3, R. Miller (S. W. Wreford and Sons Ltd.). Commer, 434.
Class 9-16 to 19 ft.: 1. E. Moksa (Liquefied Pressure Gases AS Ltd.). Austin, 290: 2, M. 1. Challis (S. S. Challis), Bedford, 293; 3, K. L. Holmes (S. W. Randall and Sons). Bedford, 297.
class C-19 to 22 ft.: 1. P. Wilson (Schweppes (Home) Ltd.). Bedford. 258:2. K. Gunnell (Shell-Max and BP Ltd. Royston), Leyland. 263: 3. T. Vest ITate and Lyle Transport Ltd.). Bedford, 311.
Class D-22 to 25 ft.: 1, J. Titmarsh (Shell-Mex and BP Ltd. Royston). Dennis, 214; 2. D. Dilson (Schweppes (Home) Ltd.), Bedford, 219: 3. R. Butter (British Oxygen Co. Ltd.), Bedford, 223.
Class E(1)-over 25 ft., two axles: 1, R. Mattheurnan (Phipps Brewery Ltd.). Commer. 271: 2. M. Drage (S. W. Wreford and Sons). Leyland. 278:3. G. Lay (S. W. Wreford and Sons), Leyland. 292.
Class E(2)-over 25 ft., more than two axles: 1. L. Fleming (Shell-Mex and BP Ltd. Roystonl, AEC. 186: 2, .J. Linnell (Conbloc Ltd.), Albion. 254; 3, J A. Cockerill (C. Butt Ltd.). Albion, 256. Class F(1)-artic tractive units under 4 tons, flat or sided semi-trailer up to 38 ft., with straight or drop frames: 1, S. Cawthorne (Knights of Old). AEC. 386: 2, D. Claydon (C. G. Holton and Sons Ltd.), Commer. 543: 3, R. Wright IBritish Road Services Northampton), Bedford. 568.
Class F42)---artic tractive units under 4 tons, box or sided semi-trailer up to 38 ft.: 1. D. Orloff (Shell' Metand BP Ltd. Royston), Bedford. 334; 2. R. Barden (Tate arid Lyle Transport Ltd.). Bedford, 369:3. F. Freeman (Shell-Mex and BP Ltd. Royston). Bedford. 420.
Class G-artic tractive units over 4 tons, flat or sided semi-trailer up to 38 ft., with straight or drop frames: 1, D. Tear (C. Butt Ltd.), Leyland. 290: 2, R. Ward (C. Butt Ltd.). Leyland, 318: 3. C. Sparrow (British Road Services Northampton), Seddon, 350_ Class H-box or tanker semi-trailer with tractive units 4 tons or over: 1. K. Driver (Shell-Mex and BP Ltd.), AEC, 334: 2, B. Mynett (Tate and Lyle Transport Ltd.), Fade!), 383: 3, A. Toomer (S. W. Wreford and Sons Ltd.), Leyland, 411.
Champion Driver: T. Ince (Express Dairy Ltd.l, Team Award: Schweppes (Home) Ltd. (P. Wilson, D. Dilson, J. Culshawl.