1 Rounds Possible in Drivers' ontest : New Classification
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Snew centres for the Lorry Driver of the Year. Competition may be inaus rated next • year. They are at Liver ool, Newcastle upon Tyne, Hull, Notti gham, Hove and Finchley, Lond n. There will then be 18 eliminating r unds. The final of the competition is lik ly to be held in the Birmingham area nstead of at Bramcote.
BI eking-out of rear windows is to be re-it oduced.
Th classification of `vehicles is also to be c nged as the result of recommendations made last week by the executive com ittee and accepted by the national orga izing committee of the .competition.
Tit "Queen Mary" class has been alter Class E has been divided into o parts. Classes A-E2 will be for rigid vehicles, as follows:— A, up to 15 ft.; B, over IS ft. and up to 19 ft.; C, over 19 ft. and up to 22 ft.; D, o er 22 ft. and up to 25 ft.; El, over 25 ft. with only two axles; E2, over 25 ft. with ore than two axles.
Ar iculated outfits continue in four class s:—F1, tractor unit under 3 tons unla en, semi-trailer under 22 ft.; F2, tract r unit under 3 tons unladen, semi, trade ..22-27 ft.: 0, tractor unit of 3 tons unla n or over: H, tractor unit of any unla en weight, semi-trailer more than 27 ft. .Class I is for standard Army load= carry rig vehicles.
a ss H is that which was formerly, for " Qu" en Mary" vehicles only. 'The -new defini ion opens -it to machinery .tran§pone s and other outfits.
A new method of ascertaining the cham ion has been proposed. instead of having a final run-off by the class winners in vehicles supplied by the organizers, the title-holder would he decided by an index based on the performances in each class. The competitor who showed the greatest improvement over the average for his class would become the Lorry Driver of the Year, although he might not have incurred the lowest penalty marks.
The argument in favour of this system was that it was already used in car sporting events, and would save time in dealing with a large and growing number of finalists. Some members of the governing body were, however, strongly opposed to it, partly on the ground that it did not appear to be fair...
Members of the organizing committee have been asked to submit their views in writing to the honorary secretary, and the executive committee have been empowered to decide whether or not to adopt the new formula next year. They will be guided by the class results in this year's competition. There will be no regional semi-finals next year, because of the great practical difficulties and the opposition of some operators who cannot spare vehicles and drivers to compete in local rounds, semi-finals and the final. The matter will,, however, have to be reopened in 1961.
The organizing committee approved the following other suggestions for the conduct of eliminating contests: Only class winners will be eligible to take part in the final. Eliminating centres are to be urged to measure all vehicles accurately.
Any vehicle modified in accordance with the letter but not the spirit of the regulations will be dealt with at the discretion of the stewards. Complaints about harsh penalties, such as for failing to stop astride a line, will be considered when the regulations are reviewed in detail.
The timing of competitors will be abandoned, but a time limit will be set for each manoeuvring test with a penalty for excess time. To prevent collusion, the five questions on the Highway Code, to be set locally, will he asked at the initial assembly point. A competitor who reports after the given starting time will lose 20 marks.
The rear of a vehicle for measurement purposes in tests is defined as the point nearest to a barrier. Competitors need nolonger flash lights to signify completion of tests. Petrol and diesel vehicles are not to be in separate classes.
Any competitor who is deemed to have received assistance from an outside person will continue to be disqualified. Centres are to be asked to warn spectators about the consequences of helping contestants,
The Traders Road Transport Association are to be asked to encourage the reintroduction of a contest in Scotland.