Bay Test Revised at Stoke
Page 46
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TAKING the law into their own hands I at the Stoke-on-Trent Lorry Driver of the Year eliminating round on Sunday, the marshals on the loading bay lest allowed the drivers in Class G and Class H to back into the bay opposite the first barrier to give them a chance to complete the test without incurring excessive penalty points. The half measure of increasing the width of kerb lines, following only in part the example of Manchester and York, was not augmented by the addition of 10 feet to the overall length of the course until the organizers were called upon to approve the marshals' action. It was then decided to revise the test in full accord with the measures taken at these centres (with the active approval of Mr. A. L. Macfarlane, Manchester Road Safety Officer and a National steward) and to retest all the vehicles that had driven over the original course. The marshals concerned were members of the British Motor Racing Marshals Club.
But for this change of plan a record number of entrants would have completed the tests before the lunch break despite a steady downpour of rain. At least one driver and some of the spectators did not approve of the change; the .driver refused to believe that it was more by good luck than by good judgment that he completed the original test without a serious fault.
Although the award of an Outright winner cup to the entrant giving the best performance of the day on points was not universally approved, E. W. Plant's handling of his Thames van in Class A showed remarkable skill. With the toss of 74 penalty marks, he outstripped last year's points winner of the competition by 65 marks. Runner-up in the class, R. M. Elliott. of James Stone and Son, Ltd., lost only 19 points in the 1960 event and this year his total was 139. Higher penalties in all the classes can be attributed to the heavy toll taken by the width-judging test.
In keen competition with teams from other parts of the country. the Michelin Tyre Co., Ltd., did. well to win the team award and the cup for the best Stoke-onTrent team. R. Davies, driving a Morris Commercial, led his team by winning Class B with the loss of only 79 points and was second in the competition on
points classification. Pease Transport. Ltd:, of Liverpool, were highly favoured for the team award, particularly after .1. C. Martindale at the wheel of a Guy won Class C with the loss of 90 points. This gained him third place overall in the event.
In the kerb parking test, the Stafford drivers of Petrofina (Great Britain), Ltd., drew the praise of the marshals in their near perfect manceuvring and D. Bradshaw drove an A.E.C. tanker to win Class E(2) (for the second time running) losing 101 points. Fourth in the competition, Bradshaw was three points ahead of the next man, R. Elder (S.P.D., Ltd.), who was second in Class B. driving an Austin.
In Class H, it was one, two, three for Adams Butter, Ltd., the winner being G. Bailey in an A.E.C.. who lost 198 points, eight points ahead of J. Malburn in a similar vehicle.
All told. there were 25 teams in the official entry list and it was notable therefore that E. W. Plant was not a member of a team. But there was no doubt that it was a teams' day. As a footnote it may be added that loss of marks by the class winners in the Highway Code and route tests was
negligible. P.A.C.13.
RESULTS
CLASS A.--Up to 15 ft; E. W. Plant (Simplex Electric Co.. Ltd.). Thames, 74, 1; R. M. Elliott (James Stone and Son, Ltd.), Morris-Commercial, 139, 2: D. Parry (Birkeu and Roberts, Ltd.). Mantes, 148, 3.
CLASS B-15-19 Lt.; R. Davies (Michelin Tyre Co., Ltd.). Morris-Commercial, 79. 1; R. Elder (S.P.D.. Ltd.), Austin, 104. 2: R. I. Brindley (Stoke-on-Trent Corporation), Austin, 118. 3.
CLASS C-19-22 Mt J. C. Martindale (Pease Transport, Ltd.). Guy, 90, 1: G. Williams (Michelin MT Co., Ltd.). Thames, 109. 2: W. Goodfellow (B-R.S.). Albion. 129, 3,
CLASS D-22-25 fts L. Barrow (Staffordshire Potteries Waterboard). Bedford, 123. 1: M. Mahan (Michelin Tyre Co.. Ltd.). Bedford. 124. 2; R. E. Gannicliffc (Pease Transport. Ltd.). Albion, 131, 3.
CLASS E4111.-Over IS ft. with 2 axles' 0. W. Cope (John Joule and Sons, Ltd.), Thornycroft, 151. 1; T. Sales (Adams Butter, Ltd.), Bedford, 152. 2; L. Turner (John Joule and Sons, Ltd.), Thornycroft. 165. 3.
CLASS E(2)-Over 25 ft. midi more than 2 axles: D. Bradshaw (Petrofina (Great Britain), Ltd.). A.E.C.. 101. 1; R. B. Browribill (Pease Transport, Ltd.). Fodcn. 144, 2: T. Knox (Silver Roadways. Ltd.), Foden, 155. 3.
CLASS F(1)-Seml-trailer under 22 fl.: J. R. O'Brien (Arthur Hughes and Sons (Haulage), Ltd.). Redford. disqualified. CLASS F(2)-Send-truiler 22-27 ft., tractor unit under 3 ions: G. J. Hewitt (Ind Come. Ltd.). Bedford. 1%, 1; T. Parsons (Arthur Hughes and Sons (Haulage), Ltd.), Bedford, 20/. 2; G. Capper (Pease Transport, Ltd.), Bedford, 218, 3.
CLASS G-Send-testier up to 27 Ft. overall, tractor mat 3 tons or over: 0. T. Wilde), (Pease Transport. Ltd.). Guy 134. 1; T. Stirrup (Pease Transport. Ltd.). Guy, 152. 2; G. W. Blood (ShellInez and UP.. Ltd.). Ley:and. 160, 3.
CLASS H -Any type send-trailer over 27 ft., tractor unit any unladen ivelsbn G. Bailey (Adams Butter, Ltd.), A.E.C.. 198, 1; J. Malburn (Adams. Butter. Ltd.). A.E.C., 206. 2; 1. Scragg (Adams Butter, Ltd.). A.E.C., 224, 3.
CLASS S-Standard Army load-carrying vehicles; Sgt. K. Jones (R.A.O.C. Marchington). Bedford. 302. 1.
BEST OVERALL PERFORMANCE: E. W. Plant.
TEAM; Michelin Tare Co.. Ltd. (R. Davies. M. Douhan. D. Roberts).