A Vital Stage
Page 32
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THE Lorry Driver of the Year Competition has reached a stage in its development when the national organizing committee have to take several important decisions on policy. One is the question of setting up a constitution and forming the committee into a legal entity. At present, the controlling body is loosely constituted and individual members are liable for actions for damages arising out of risks that cannot be covered by insurance.
This is an unsatisfactory state of affairs and might be relieved by forming a limited liability company to run the competition. This suggestion was made to the committee by The Commercial Motor several years ago, but was rejected, partly because representatives of the Transport and General Workers' Union said they would have no hand in it.
Their reasoning was never clear, and it may still be necessary to form a company to give the competition legal status and to protect members of the committee. It would be unfortunate if the representatives of the T.G.W.U. felt obliged to withdraw, because their experience and close contact with competitors are most valuable.
Of more practical importance to contestants is the question whether regional finals, perhaps in the north, Midlands and south of England, should be held next year as a prelude to the final contest. This problem arises from the growth of the competition, with the possibility that next year there may be a total of 15 eliminating centres.
Even with 12 eliminating rounds it has been necessary to restrict finalists to class winners. The result has been that some runners-up who have incurred far fewer penalties than winners in other classes have been excluded from the final. If regional finals were held it would again be possible for the first three drivers in each class to go forward and stand a fair chance of reaching the final round.
There are two objections to this proposal. One is that of expense. The other is the fear that operators might be reluctant to spare vehicles and drivers on possibly three, instead of two, occasions. Supporters of the suggestion for regional finals argue that operators whose drivers were well placed in eliminating rounds and were known to be highly skilled would certainly be willing to give their men every opportunity of reaching the final, even if they have to spare vehicles for an extra day at a week-end. It would probably he helpful if the committee could have the views of entrants on this question.