Fighting men of Derry

21st June 1968, Page 122

21st June 1968

Page 122

Page 122, 21st June 1968 — Fighting men of Derry

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• There's no doubt about it, the Irish love a fight-a fair fight and just for the sport. The most recent example of, this trait in the Ulsterman's nature was last Saturday's LDOY round at Londonderry. The main bouts were not in the actual driving, although they were hard fought, but in the protests which followed.

When class A results were posted the third man protested that the winner had touched a barrier. Subsequent inquiry by the stewards led to a re-run on one test and H. J. Preston was again declared the winner.

"I don't care whether I'm first or last." said Ft. E Campbell when he handed in his protest over the class C results. "But I'm very sure I never lost 25 points at a check point on the road route." He was correct and the protest was upheld-but he still didn't win.

Then came a protest that the winner of class 0 had competed at Belfast the previous week. This proved to be correct but made no difference to the protesting driver. However, Wm. Breslin who took over the leading place was happy enough.

Class H drivers protested on bloc that the width-judging test was impossible even at extended length for their class. This was settled conclusively , when the Derry men were told: -They managed it easily at Belfast."

Four protests and no advantage gainedbut a real good shindig. When they were not protesting the drivers were contesting and a few close results emerged. In class C. three points separated P. Grace, the winner, from the runner-up. But what about class G? One point separated the first two. It was

by lain Sherriff

fitting that the winner T. Laverty should also lift the champion's award.

The Derry committee presents a cup to the lowest-scoring visitor. It Was won this year by T. Turbitt, who although winning class B was heard in a bout of selfcriticism to say: -You're a fool Turbitt for dropping these 10 in the Highway Code." He had only 73 penalty points.

LONDONDERRY RESULTS Class A: Up to 16ft: 1, H. J. Preston (GPO Engineers) Morris, 77pts; 2, W. McCartney ;GPO Postal) Morris, 100; 3, N. Bryson (North Ulster Bacon Co. Ltd.) Ford, 108. Class B: 16 to 19ft: 1, T. Turbitt (GPO Engineers) Morris, 73; 2, L. Jallen (GPO Engineers) Morris, 105; 3, J. B. H. Breslin (GPO Engineers) Morris, 120.

Class C: 19 to 22ft: 1, P. Grace (GPO Postal) Karrier, 65; 2, R, E, Campbell (Davidson Hawthorn and Bryan& Ford, 68; 3, J. Robinson (Londonderry Corp) Karrier, 86. Class D: 22 to 2511: 1, W. Breslin (Royal Navy) Bedford, 93; 2, R. Riches (Scott (Toombridge) Ltd.) Foden, 97; 3,J. A. Pinkerton (Writ Craig (NI) Ltd.) Ford, 103.

Class El: 2511 with two axles: 1. D. McWilliams (Denis McWilliams) Austin. 1 96.

Class E2: Over 2511 with mole than 2 axles: 1. M. Hendry (Scott IToombridge) Ltd.) AEC, 80; 2, A. Jackman (Milanda Bakeries Ltd.) Foden, 108; 3, R. Campbell (ShellMet and B.P. Ltd.) AEC, 130.

Class Fl: Flat or sided semi-trailers with flat or drop-frame, up to and including 3311 overall length: 1, Smyth {Wm Craig (NI) Ltd.) Commer, 86; 2, J. Heaney (Robt Keys and Co. Ltd.) Commer, 111; 3, T. Quigley (Thomas Gallagher) Ltd.) 124.

Class F2: Box or tank semi-trailers with flat or dropframe, up to and including 33ft overall length: 1, J. McGough Shell Metand BP Ltd.) Scamrnell, 213. Class G: Flat or sided semi-trailers with flat or dropframe, over 33ft; 1, T. Laverty (Ulster Chipboard Co, Ltd.) AEC, 98; 2, J. A. McQuillan (W. J. Watt) Commer, 99; 3, S. Roxburgh (Ulster Chipboard Co. Ltd.) Carnmer, 173. Class HI Box or tank semi-trailers with flat or drop frame over 33ft: 1, A. Kidd (Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway Co. Ltd.) Bedford, 179; 2, R. Campbell (Milanda Bakeries Ltd.), 287; 3, R. Calvert (Cawoods Containers Ltd.) Leyland, 290.

Best team: Scott (Toombridge) Ltd.

Overall Champion: T Laverty.