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From Maidstone . .

28th July 1961, Page 56
28th July 1961
Page 56
Page 57
Page 56, 28th July 1961 — From Maidstone . .
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Keywords : Truck Driver

Smooth Debut As 74 Drivers Go Through

By A. J. Wilding

CONSIDERING that it was the' first ‘..-• time that a round of the Lorry Driver of the Year Competition had been held at Maidstone, the proceedings ran very smoothly. There were a number of revisions to the printed list of competitors in the various classes, mainly due to the entrants measuring their vehicles incorrectly, but there were no major hold-ups. The whole round, including the presentation of prizes, was completed by 5.30 p.m. and, in fact, a tea break was introduced in the morning as it was feared that the driving tests would finish early: The section of the parade ground at Invicta Lines, on which the tests were held, allowed a good view for spectators. but was only just large enough, and in the circumstances the organizers managed an excellent layout. In all, 74 drivers took part in last Sunday's tests.

Class C provided the remarkable result of three drivers having incurred the same and lowest penalties. whilst in Class E (I) the winner and runner-up both had the same number of penalties. Fortunately. the competition rules clearly state that in these circumstances the placings should be decided on the performance in the road test. Therefore. D. J. Batcheller's clear sheet on the road section gave him first place in Class C over W. Crook. who had five penalties. K. R. Wildich being placed third with 22 penalty marks. The same margin of penalties on the road section decided places in Class E (1)0. Collins having incurred 15 points and I. Wilbraham 20.

No driver managed a clear round on any of the driving tests and only two came through the Highway Code test without penalty. They were F. J. Goldsmith (Shell-Mex and B.P.. Ltd.) and E. C. Moye (S.P.D.. Ltd.). who were unplaced in Classes E (1) and D respectively. Six drivers completed the road test without penalty-D. Batcheller; W. Beaney, who went on to win Class F (2); n22 C. Wise, who was second in Class D; M. S. Hunt, who finished third in Class E (1); Spr. Seath, third in Class S; and L. Crick, unplaced in Class F (2).

Once again the width judgment test proved the biggest stumbling block to most competitors, with Spr. Langridge, Class S winner, putting up the best performance with 51 penalty points.

The loading-bay test produced the usual difficulties with the majority of drivers of the larger articulated outfits. Success or failure on this appeared to be mainly a question of approach to the first barrier. This was shown by W. Beaney, who incurred only four penalties on the test-the lowest of all competitors at Maidstone-and S. Laws, who also put up a fine performance with 14 penalty marks.

It is generally the case in Classes F, G and H that some drivers do very well, while others are completely at sea, but it cannot be denied that the test is 11105f difficult for these classes.

RESULTS

CLASS 13-15.19 ft.: J. Furlong (F. Bourne and Son. Ltd.), Comrner, 184, 1: T. I). Burke (Rooms. Ltd.). Conuncr, 188. 2: F. Fullager (Coulling Bros.). Thames. 238. 3.

CLASS C-111-22 11.1 D. .1. Batchelder (Shell-Mcx and B.F.. Ltd.). Dennis. 174. I; W. Crook (Schweppes (Home). Ltd.). Bedford. 174. 2: K. R. Wildich (Johnson's. Ltd.), Thames, 174, 3.

CLASS D-22-25 ft.: B. Mason (Coombe ValteY Transport), Conuncr. 112. 1; C. Wise (S. E. Thomas and Son, Ltd.), Bedford. 123. 2:3. Wickens (Courage and Barclay). E.R.F.. 141. 3.

CLASS E (1)-Over 25 ft., with 2 aides: G. Collins (Conning Bros.). Leyland. 167. I: J. Wilbraham (W. E. Reeve. Lid.). A.E.C.. 167. 2: M. S. Hunt (Coulling Bros.). Leyland. 184. 3. CLASS E (2)-Over 25 ft., with more than 2 axles: N. F. Webb (Aylward Bros.). A.E.C.. 132. 1: L. Parsons (Reed Transport. Ltd.), ',odes:, 141. 2: A. Francis (Shell-Meg and B.P.. Ltd.). A.E.C.. 175. 3.

CLASS F ID-Semi-trailer ender 22 ft.; G. Reynolds (Fremlins, Ltd ), Bedford. 145. 1: A. Rose (Fremlins. Ltd.). Bedford, 173, 2; Ft. A. Milner (Courage and Barclay, Ltd.). Bedford. 205. 3. CLASS F (2)-Semi-traller 22-27 ft.. tractor NO under 3 tons: W. Beancy (Reed Transport. Ltd.). Austin, 142, I; R. Dunkin (Palmer: Transport. Ltd.). Ford. 176. 2; F. Pooke (Reed Transport. Ltd.). Austin. 178. 3.

CLASS G-Send-tradles up to 27 ft. overall. tractor unit 3, tons or over: S. Laws (B.R.S. Rochester). Bedford. 192, 1; G. Sullivan (The Metal Box Co.. Ltd.), Seddon. 228. 2; B. Holmes (The Metal Box Co.. Ltd.), Seddon, 287. 3.

CLASS H--Semi-trailer over 27 ft., tractor unit any unladen weight: R. Cooper (Reed Transport. Ltd.). Foden. 1; sole entrant.

CLASS S-Standard Army load-carrying vehicles: Syr. Langridge (36 Corps E.R.), Bedford. 163. I: Spr. Tupper (36 Corps ER.). Bedford. 173. 2: Stir. Seath (36 Corps E.R.), Bedford. 181. 3.

From Croydon. . .

DESP1TE a certain amount of pessimism on the part of some of the organizers, coupled with disappointment regarding the restrictions placed on vehicle movements and the fee payable for the site, the London Lorry Driver Eliminating contest, held this year at Croydon Airport, turned out to be a success. The Airport tartnac provided an ideal surface for the manceuvring tests, the apron giving adequate parking space for both competing vehicles and cars belonging to the spectators.

London's best overall driver this year was L. Hattam. driving an Austin van of Express Dairy's Lcindon depot—he had only 89 points recorded against him. The first of the driving tests—the width judging—cost him 59 points, against only six each for the two " simpler " manceuvring

Tags

Organisations: CLASS S-Standard Army
Locations: Austin, Rochester, London

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