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New Rules for Drivers' Contest : Dates of Rounds Fixed

30th January 1959
Page 35
Page 35, 30th January 1959 — New Rules for Drivers' Contest : Dates of Rounds Fixed
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NEW regulations for the Lorry Driver of the Year Competition were

approved by the executive committee in Coventry on Tuesday. They are based on the earlier rules, but contain a number of detail improvements.

Eliminating rounds are to be held this year at Weymouth (April 18), Manchester (May 3), Birmingham (May 24), Coventry (June 7), Leeds (June 21), Portsmouth (July 4), Slough (July 12), Oxford (July 19), Southend and Plymouth. Details of the Southend and Plymouth events have not yet been fixed. • The 'final will be held at Baginton on September 20.

It is likely also that a round will be held at Stoke-on-Trent. Competitors from York, who last year took part in an unofficial contest organized by the Road Haulage Association, will enrol at Leeds. Interest is being shown in the competition also at Scunthorpe, Edinburgh (where a heat of the Scottish Commercial Vehicle Driver of the Year Competition is due to be held) and Finchley, but they are unlikely to sponsor events this year. Only two more eliminating centres can be accepted for 1959.

Only the winning driver in each class will be eligible to take part in the final. If there is only one competitor in a class he may pass to the final after completing all tests without disqualification.

All the manceuvring tests to be undertaken in eliminating rounds will be laid down by the national organizing committee and will be timed only to determine ties. Assistance from spectators is now one of the grounds on which a driver can be disqualified. Disqualification in any part of the competition will entail retirement from the event.

Drivers may be examined on the Motorway Code as well as the Highway Code. Questions will be set locally. There will be five questions and up to 10 marks will be lost for each incorrect answer.

Classification of vehicles remains unchanged, but the definition of the articulated categories has been tidied up. Class F(1) is for outfits with semi-trailers under 22 ft. and tractors under 3 tons unladen; Class F(2), semi-trailers 22-27 ft. long and tractors under 3 tons; Class G, tractors over 3 tons. Service drivers, including territorials, may compete in the Queen Mary class.

Any commercial vehicle operating under A, B or C licence may he entered, but special overhaul or modification for the event will entail disqualification. There will be not fewer than five observed points on thc road route. Up to 30 points will be deducted out of a maximum of 150 for each breach of the Highway Code or for poor driving technique. Any driver who leaves the road will lose the maximum marks applicable to the check-point concerned. Penalties in the manceuvring tests'will be two marks for each inch away.: from any barrier, kerb' or other measuring point. Time taken on each test will be rated at 1 point per second.

Twenty points will be lost for touching an obstacle or kerb, and. 40 points for mounting, overriding or displacing a kerb. For failing to complete a test correctly (for instance, by malting it impossible to time or measure. the performance .accurately) the penalty Will be 100 marks.

In the event of a protest to the stewards (to be made within 15 minutes after the announcement of the provisional results) all marshals, timekeepers and line judges will be considered to be judges of fact and no protest will be entertained against their decisions.

Efforts are being made to prevent the• multiplication 'of awards to individuals. In the final run-off,.. the first qhree drivers will receive £50, £30 and £20, respectively, but their £10 cash award as class champions will be transferred to their runners-up. They will also receive trophies.


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