Chaos at Grand Prix, clear winner of LDoY
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THE SECOND Multipart British Truck Grand Prix at Silverstone ended in chaos when the declared winner ran away after he was stripped of his title for cheating.
Gaudenzio Mantova had crossed the line first but, was judged to have tampered with his truck to give it more power. Richard Walker, sponsored by Leyland was dedared winner and took the £5,000 first prize.
Steve Parrish and Barry Lee took second and third with Mercedes-Benz 1633s.
When he was called to a stewards' inquiry, Mr Mantova fled and could not be found. Other Italian drivers who competed last weekend have apologised to the stewards and scrutineers.
Around 55,000 attended the meeting, held over two days.
• In a display of strength at Silverstone, Geoff Capes pulled a seven tonne Mercedes 1633 25m along the finishing straight, which is slightly uphill, in a recordbreaking 27.6 seconds from a standing start.
• And in the Lorry Driver of the Year finals held along with the race, Ken Davies from Esso's Manchester depot was clear winner.
He drove a Volvo F7 tractive unit to win the 12.5 to 14m attic class, and then saw off nine other class winners in the final drive-off.
Second was Dave Goddard, a van driver with the Post Office.
Mr Davies' win means that the LDoY crown is transferred within Es so. Threetimes winner Colin Burrows was champion last year. Reports on p16.