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German triumph in free-for-all
IN SPITE of language problems, appalling organisation and a course that at times was more reminiscent of "It's A Knockout", the Leylandsponsored British team managed a creditable sixth place at the fifth annual Union International Des Chauffeurs Routiers driving championships held in Brussels last weekend.
Matters were not helped by the insistence of the Belgian police that the course, which was held on a section of public road, be set up the night before the competition.
British drivers were perplexed by the method of scoring which was open to interpretation. It degenerated into a flurry of appeals and counter-appeals, leaving British manager Continental Freight Drivers' Club general secretary Richard Reed little choice but to join in the fray.
Finally, late on the Sunday afternoon, after an hour's delay, the results were announced, punctuated several times by a Belgian brass band.
Overall team winners were the Germans, who, not surprisingly, were more at home in the competition vehicles supplied by Mercedes. The Finns and the Norwegians finished second and third respectively.
The general view amongst the British team was that future organisers would do well to spend some time with the CM LDoY committee.