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Readman Does It Again

CONSISTENCY should pay off in a contest such as the Lorry Driver of the Year competition and, sure enough, two of the most consistent performers in recent years gained the first two places in the national final, writes Alan Havard.

Pride of place must go to that outstanding young man, Corporal D. M. Readman, of R.A.F. Gaydon, who successfully defended the title he gained last year. The fourth national winner to come back on a second successive year, he is the first to keep his title.

Runner-up was J. C. Martindale. of Pease Transport. Without ever lifting the ultimate award, Martindale has been a regular class finalist for several years. Third place in the national final went to another C-licence driver, M. J. Essex, of the Bleachers' Association.

There is really little one can say about Readman that has not been said before. He possesses two very great attributes in any driver, ice-cold concentration and outstanding accuracy in positioning his vehicle. One rarely sees him shunting or wasting any movement.

Graced by the presence of Mr. Ernest Marples, the Minister of Transport (who presented the prizes), the 1962 final, held in the Massey-Ferguson factory at Coventry, was the 10th anniversary of the competition and seemed to be one of the best attended. A rally of historic commercial vehicles added interest.

Of the 170 competitors in the final, 16 were from Shell-Mex and B.P. (gaining one " first " and one "second "). Fifteen were from Pease Transport (having more success, with three " firsts," a "second " and a third ").

British Road Services had eight finalists, but achieved no titles or place awards. Drivers of the British Motor Corporation did well: Austin men gaining a "first" and a second," and Morris men gaining two "seconds" and a "third". Haulage drivers were first in two classes.

A point which the organizers would do well to again discuss is the basis for awarding the national trophies. Because they do not consider class winners to have received a "major award," they once more, this year, found themselves in the position of handing every trophy except one to the 11 national class winners. Very nice for the lucky 11, but

would sooner see the "pots" spread out a little more.

I know the organizers had this in mind when deciding on the present basis. but do submit that they have another look at it. Why on earth, for instance, should the oldest class-winner (J. C. Martindale.

who was so youthful that Mr. Marl was convinced there was a mist' receive the trophy for the oldest driN Why not the oldest in the final?

Among the "new" old vehicles wi appeared at the Historic Commer Vehicle Club Rally was a newly resto 1913 Commer fire engine, which I driven by Lord Montagu. A woi sponsored entry, it appropriately, entirely on merit, won the Rootes Trot as overall winner of the Conco d'Elegance. Its engine was the nois of all the 23 vehicles competing. quietest, at any rate when idling, pr ably was the smart 1929 Leyland Bad lorry driven down from Leeds by 1 J. W. Cole.

H.C.V.C. RALLY RESULTS

Driving Tests: Balloon bursting, A. Adams, 1 Traffic lorry. Length judging, .1. H. Woollisci 1934 A.E.C. Q coach.

Contours d'Elegance: Class A (Light Vans Lorries), D. Ephgrave, 1915 Ford T van. Oa: (Heavy Vans and Lorries), 1. W. Cole, 1 Leyland Badger lorry. Class C and F (Passel vehicles), M. Watts, 1922 Ford T bus. Clan (Fire Engines), Dennis Apprentices, 1916 Der Overall Winner. L. G. W. Tate, Commer C Ltd.. 1913 Commer fire engine.

RESU LTS os Lip to 16 ft. (Standard Motors Trophy): S:-ruhy (3. Lucas (Sales and Service). Ltd.), is. 189 points; 2, L. T. Phcssc (G.P.O. Telees, Port,mouth), Morris, 204: 3, R. Keerb -ess Dairy Co.,Ltd.), Morris, 244.

ins B-10-19 ft. (British Oxygen Trophy): 1, . E.:sex (Bleachers Assoc., Ltd.. Manchester). n. 189; 2. W. R. G. Johns (Robert Daniel). , 2(3: 3. T. Hough (British Oxygen Co.), )rd. 216.

is. C -19-22 ft, (Regent Oil Trophy): 1, J. C. indale (Pease Transport, Ltd.), Albion. 196; . E. Leuis (Austin Motor Co.. Ltd.), Austin, 3. F. Kirkham (Schweppes. Ltd., Leeds), 304.

its D-22-25 ft. (Power Petroleum Trophy): W Dalman (Austin Motor Co., Ltd.), Austin, 2 NI, D. Tysell (Morris Motors. Ltd.). Morris, 3. 1). 0-,Fornc (St. Mary's Transport), Comma.

its El—ther 25 ft., Iwo axles (Shell-Mex and Trophy): 1. G. F.. TiMIlli EIS (John Joules and . Ltd.). Au‘tin, 264: 2, F. Charlton (Stanton Corks Co.. Ltd.). Atkinson. 3(12; 3. A. Granger „ucits. Ltd.). Seddon, 337.

ins E2-0Yer 25 ft., more than two axles f.A. Trophy): 1, R. Bennion (Pease Transport,

1-odes. 235; 2. P. Bones. (Shell-Mex and

Ltd.), A.E.C.,-274;. 3, K. Holmes (F. W. fall and Sons), Leyland, 236.

is', Fl—Flat or sided semi-trailers up to 30 ft.; or under 4 loos (Tate and Lyle Trophy): 1, lankinsou (J. Curtis and Sons, Ltd.): Morris, 2, A Wright (J. E. Chettle. Ltd.), Ford. 326; . T. Ras.: (Fremlin,'Ltd.). Bedford. 340.

ass r2-11ox or tank semi-trailers up to 30 ft.; or gustier 4 tons (George Wimpey Trophy): 1, iniktns (Pettic Transport. Ltd.). COMMer, 296;

Baker (Morris Motors, Ltd.), Morris, 319; . Parks (Mortis Motors,Ltd.), Morris, 336.

ass G—Flat or sided semi-trailers up to 30 ft.; or Oiler 4 tons (Eagle Engineering Trophy): 1. tape (J. IL Tait. Ltd.). 274; 2, C. T. Wildest ;et 1ransoort, Ltd.), Guy. 330: 3, J. E. nry,on (P.;ase Transport, Ltd.), Leyland. 334. Class H--Box or tank semi-trailers up to 30 ft.; tractor over 4 tons :T.G.W.1.1. Trophy): 1, D. Jones (Shell-Met and RI'.. Ltd.), A,E.C., 310; E. Stout (Guinness Iran:I-wt. Ltd.), A.E.C., 368; S. Walkc(T. Wall and Sons. Ltd.), Bedford, 382.

Class S—Services Drivers (Tyresoles Trophy): 1, CPI. D. M. Rcadman (R.A.F. Gaydon). Austin, 224; 1../Cpl. lush (22 Field Dressine Stn.). Bedford, 287; S.A.C. McPherson (RA,F„ teeming), Austin, 365. Lorry Driver of the Year (B.M.C. Trophy): 1,

CPI. 1). M. Readruan: 2. J. Martindale; 3, M. I.

Essex, Best DrIver, illese!-englned Vehicle: 1, R.

Bennion: 2, R. Simkins; 3. J. Sctuby.

Best C-Itcence Driver: J. Sctuby.

Cha:rman's Award of Merit: R. Keech.

Best Articulated Section Driver: D. Jones.

Best Eliminating Centre Team: York.

Oldest Driver Among Class Winners: J. C.

Martindale.