Little Test of Skill
Page 52
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T ANCEUVRABILITY tests were preIn ceded by a 10-mile run on the road, during which the drivers were halted for three minutes to answer 10 questions on the Highway Code. The vehicles of those operators who had entered for the T.R.T.A, cup, which was offered for the best-maintained vehicle, were subjected to a critical examination.
Because of space limitations and the need to revise the tests, there was little opportunity for drivers to show just how skilfully they could manceuvre their vehicles. As they were given no time limit on any of the three tests, most of the competitors took an interminable time on a parking manceuvre.
An outstanding exception was the performance by W. C. Ruffett, driving a Leyland Comet. In the final placings, however, he came third in his class.
Class C was won by Private H. Prescott, driving a Thames 3-tonner. As one of a contingent which had travelled overnight from Bristol, this was a popular win. Prescott had passed his driving test only a week previously.
Second in this group was H. Dibble, driving a Thames 5-tormer withPerkins P6 oil engine. He also took the T.R.T.A. cup. Four years old, the Thames had covered 150,000 miles. 90,000 miles of which had been with the Perkins engine.
In addition to three Vulcans and a Leyland Comet articulated vehicle,. Starch Products, Ltd., entered four A.E.C. Mammoth Majors. The drivers gained four awards, including a first in Class D, with F. H. Barrett driving a Vulcan 6-tonner. .
RESULTS Group At I. C. Monday (Bedford, Cooper's Mechanical Joints, Ltd.); 2, S. Horswood (Morris, J. R. Campbell (Engineers), Ltd.); 3. T. A. Day (Ford, Arms).
Gmup B: I. M. Fenner (Seddoo. B.R.S. Slough); 2. A. Curtis (Commer. Starch Products.
Ltd.); 3, W. T. Esans (Commer, May Cottage laundry).
Group CI 1. H. Prescott (Fordson, Army); 2. H. Dibble (Thames, Cooper's Mechanical Joints. Ltd.); 3, D. Jones (Thames, Southern Forge, Ltd.).
Grouts D: 1, F. H. Barrett (Vulcan, Starch Products, Ltd.): 2, F. Williams (Bedford. C. Lindley and Co., Ltd.); 3. W. C. Buffett (Leyland Comet, Lincoln Electric Co.. Ltd.).
Group E: I. H. W. Axten (Leyland. Esse, Petroleum Co., Ltd.); 2, D. Timms (A.E.C. Mammoth Major, Starch Products, Ltd.); 3,-S. A. Sturgeon (Foden, B.R.S. Slough).
Group F: 1, A. Morris (Seddon. B.R.S.); 2, R. E. Cox (Scammell, ESSO Petroleum Co., ltd.); 3, E. H. Samue:s (Leyland, Starch Products, Ltd.).
within' f. in of a barrier itt. one of the' tests. He surprised the marshals with his fine -judgment in gauging Ole space required to drive between -two posts.
Judges told The Commercial Motor that the road test had revealed remarkably intelligent use of the Highway Code, and even trick questions failed' to beat most of the drivers.
RESULTS
Group B.: 1, Hall (Austin 25-cwt, van, Leeds Co-operative Society), 82% marks; 2, H-. Harrison (Albion 4-sonnet, Hudson, Ward and Co.. Leeds). 76:14 marks; 3, IC Sayles (Austin, E. Thomson; Ltd., Dewsbury), 76 marks, Group C: 1, J. Burke (Dennis, Sheil-Mex' and B.P., Ltd., Leeds); 79% masks: 2, 1. C. Martindale. Jar. (Calmer, Pease Transport, Ltd.,: Liverpool), 76 marks: 3, F. W. licliiwell (Bedford, B.R.S. Sheffield), 74 marks.
Group 1, C. Gosling (Foden, B.R.S. Sheffield)! 80 marks: 2, F. Browridge (Morris pantechnicon, Senn and Sons, Ltd., Halifax), 79 marks; 3, D. Huddlestone (Seddon, 1-1. Sheard, Pontefract), 79 marks.
Group E: L C. Kershaw (A.E.C., Peter Slater, Ltd.. West Ardsley), 82 marks; 2, H. Mortimer (Atkinson tanker, Regent Oil Co.; Ltd.), 793-j Marks; 3, J. H. Richards (E.R.F.. B.R.S. Sheffield), 75% marks.
Group F: 1, B. Burgess (Seddon, 13.R.S. Leeds). 83% marks; 2, R. Harries (A.E.C.. B.R.S. Doncaster), 82.l.4 marks; 3, G. Lewin (Bedford, Pease Transport. Ltd.. Liverpool).