G.P.O. Man is Winner
Page 56
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
LDOY-LONDON ROUND By Norman H. Tilsley
" DOST OFFICE trained and proud of Iit" was how this year's winner of the London round of the Lorry Driver of the Year competition-40-year-old J. 0. Partridge-described himself after his victory had been announced at Southall on Sunday. This was a popular win, as the Post Office supplies department had entered no less than three teams.
Popular, too, were the winners of the team award-Express Dairy Co. Ltd.-who now have no less than five class winners competing at the national finals in September. and hope to double this number with contests at Sotithend, Northampton and Oxford still to be decided. Runner-up in the team contest was one of the two teams entered by A-licensed hauliers Thomas Allen Ltd., whose drivers got a hat-trick in Class F(1) by placing first, second and third.
Once again the standard of driving was praised by marshals, although Test 3 -backing into a loading bay-took its usual toll, as did Test 2 (width judging), many of the contestants, including some old hands, cutting it just too fine.
At least two drivers in Class D were " reported" for deliberately incurring penalty points on Test 3, by passing well over the white line when going into reverse, thus finding it possible to enter the bay without making any shunts. But this was considered by the stewards to be "using their loaf" and no further action was taken.
Apart from this there were no complaints, unless one takes the remarks ot one participant seriously-that the event was so well organized that it was Overorganited! This was said because the 114 vehicles had completed all the tests by 2 p.m. and the presentations, by the Mayor of Ealing, had to be advanced by about one and a half hours. Fortunately, the. organizing committee, under the guidance of its secretary Mr. A. E. E. -Jeer, had chosen a very sunny day for the event, and most competitors and spectators were able to while away the time between the finish of the marneuvres and the prize-giving by sunbathing on the lawns of the AEC premises where the round was held.
Organizers In the Red' Successful though thc event was on the surface, things behind the scenes were not so good. The organizers ended up about .£40 " in the red" this year because of the small number of entrants-a lamentable fact when it is remembered that this is London's round, the country's capital city and the traffic area with the largest number of licensed vehicles.
Conspicuou.s by their absence were the hauliers proper. There were only a handful taking part, and although the majority of the cups and trophies awarded had been contributed by the Road Haulage Association, not one official from the area was present. The loss of Tate and Lyle and Silver Roadways vehicles and the Crow Carrying tankers was indeed felt.
It is obvious that the organization is there to cope with twice the number of vehicles that took part last Sunday, and it is a great shame that the professional hauliers do not take advantage of this to show off their drivers' skill and "sell themselves" to the public. LONDON RESULTS
Class A-up to 16 N. and front 201„ cut.: 1. E. Butler (Express Dairy). Morris. 109 pcnaity points: 2. A. A. SiMS (Ministry of Works). Morris. 134; S. Telfcr (Joseph Lucas), Cormier. 220.
Class B--16 to 19 ft.: I. W. O'Brien (Express Dairy). Austin. III: 2. R. Shepherd (RASC 20 Coy.). Bedford. 113; 3. P, Morris (RASC. 20 Coy.). Bedford. 179.
Class C-19-22 ft.: 1. E. G. Cronk (Ministry of Works). Bedford. 93: 2. C. Gundy (RAF Kidbrook). Bedford, 126; 3. T. Prudence (Schweppes, Sitteup), Bedford. 131.
Class D-22-25 ft.: 1. R. Wood (Ministry of Works). BMC, 141 and C. Soden (SPD Ltd.). Bedford, 14): 3. H. Rogers (Shellmes. NorthdeeD, AEC. 161.
Clam 11411-over 25 rt., two asles: 1. P. Harrison (Silentnight 1 id.). Bedford, 160; 2, P. Richards (Park Bottling), Bedford, 274; 3. W. Lake (Joseph Lucas). (:ommer, 335,
Class E(2)-over 25 ft.. more than Iwo axles: 1. W. Milton (Ind Coarse). ERF. 122; 2. P. A. Daman (Shell-Mrs. Northfleet). AEC, 151; 3. J. A. Brown (CiuMness Transport), AEC, 159.
Class F(11-ande tractive units under 4 tons, flat or sided semi.aralier up In 3551.: 1. E. Harris (Thomas Allen). Commer. 165: 2. 0. Radcline (Thomas Allen). Bedford. •178: 3. T: Warren (Thomas Allen). Bedford, 193.
Class F421---artle tractive units under 4 tons, hos or tanker semi.trailer up to 35 ft.: I. R. Valler (L. G. Wilkinson). Austin. 151: 2. W. Corbcy (56:11-Men, Poplar), Bedford. 157: 3. J. Vidler , G, Wilkinson), Austin. 186 Class G-ariic tractive units over 4 tons. Bat or
sided semi-trailer up to 35 ft.: I. (). Partridec (po Supplies). AEC. 170; 2. R. Allen (Ind Cow). Leyland, 173: 3. J. )3rennam (Ind ('ooper), Leyland. [W.? Class II-box or tanker semi-trailers with tractive units 4 tons 411over: I. C. J. Smith (Thomas. Allen). Scammell. 135: "2. B. E. Trout (Shell-Men, Northrent), AEC. 249; 3 N, Barrosxs (Thomas Allen). Scannell, 268.
Team Award: Express Dairy (Driven Butler. O'Brien and Rodman).
Best A. and 13-licensed Driven C. J. Smith.
(Thomas Allen).
Bret C-licensed Driver: E. Buller (Express Dairy).