First Time First Class
Page 47
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THE firstzclass organization of 'he Plymouth eliminating round of the Lorry Driver of the Year Competition was praised by national committee members, the competitors and the large number of spectators last Sunday. This was the first time the contest had been staged in the West Country.
Over 90 vehicles took part, and the highest marks of the day were gained by G. Tredgett. driving a Morris iii Class B.
The Plymouth Joint Road Safety Committee sponsored the contest, following a suggestion made to their honorary organizing secretary, Cllr. H. L. Trebilcock, by the local Royal Marine Commando Group. Mr. Trebilcock was chairman of the organizing committee, Mr. G. P. Truscott was vice-chairman and Mr. R. Flory (W. Mumford, Ltd.) and Mr. W. E. Foster (secretary of the Devon and Cornwall Area of the Road Haulage Association) were joint secretaries.
saving considerable time between the variovs tests.
Solo motorcyclists of the Plymouth Touring Motor Cycle Club sped in with the marks as soon as each group of the road tests was completed. Thirty-two drivers scored full marks on the road section and 32 drivers obtained marks totalling more than 90 per cent on Highway Code questions.
From the number of light-van drivers who failed the parking test it seemed that the consistent skill of drivers of the heavier vehicles shown all over the country in these contests might yet again remain unchallenged. One exception was H. Turnbull, who, although forfeiting marks in the parking test through misinterpreting a verbal instruction, gave a dramatic display of high-speed precision. It was unfortunate that more drivers in this, as in other contests, had not assimilated the regulations for the parking test, as several competitors were inevitably disqualified when they took more than three moves.
A competitor who gained a creditable win in Class C was A. W. J. Sergent, a veteran who lost an eye in the Great War.
Mr. G. Macaulay, who was one of the invigilators for the national committee, commented to the representative of The Commercial Motor that the time taken to announce the results was much less than that usually required.
The prize for the best-maintained vehicle was won by a Thames driven by W. A. Lashbrook (Tate and Lyle, Ltd.) and the team prize was won by the Army.
The marshals were members of the Plymouth Motor Club, Plymouth Touring Motor Cycle Club, Devonport Cycling Club and B.M.C. Drivers' Club (Mumford section).