Higher Standards at Weymouth
Page 50
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
ENCOURAGING success marked the entry by Schweppes (Home), Ltd., in the first eliminating round of the 1964) Lorry Driver of the Year Competition at Weymouth last Saturday. D. Cleverley, of this concern, driving a Bedford 6-toriner, incurred only 27 penalty points to become champion driver of this contest and winner of Class C.
His red-and-white platform lorry was judged also to be the best C-licence vehicle in the maintenance competition. Schweppes have not entered vehicles in the national competition before, but intend to take part in eliminating rounds wherever possible from now on.
The 1959 champion driver, H. Manning (Pease Transport, Ltd., Foden) could not repeat this success, but won Class D after an objection to the marking on one of the maneeuvrability tests had been sustained. He lost 40 points and was closely followed in the class results by E. H. Cherrett of Sherry and Haycock, Ltd., in a Thames Trader, who forfeited 41 points.
Many drivers found themselves in trouble because of the new national regulations which, lay down a standard time for each manoeuvrability test, drivers exceeding this time being penalized by 100 points and the score for the worst performance of the day on that test. The latter part of the regulation was subsequently interpreted at Weymouth as the worst performance in the class on that test.
in a Thornyeroft, lost 100 marks on two of the rnanceuvring tests although his actual driving on these sections was otherwise faultless. As he was the sole entry, his score of 229 did not prevent his winning Class E (1).
The Army drivers in Class I adopted a cautious policy which led to heavy penalties. Exceptions were Cpl. K. Thorne (578 [H. and D] Const. Sqn., RE., T.A.), who was the winner with 86 penalty points, and Spr. Howard of the same unit who won the class last year. Howard came second in another Commer with 169 marks forfeited.
Although some form of time limkation is obviously desirable for the tests, the tion seem excessively harsh. An ascending scale of penalties would seem, perhaps, to be more suitable.
Repeating last year's achievement. Pease Transport won the award for the best-maintained vehicle with an Albion Chieftain driven by B. Hill.
The organizasion for this round was excellent and if the standard can be maintained at other centres, augurs well for the smooth running of the remainder of this year's competition.