Good Driving at Plymouth
Page 70
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L'ROM every point of view the Devon and Cornwall Lorry Driver eliminating contest site, on the Hoe at Plymouth, is ideal. Large crowds, attracted to the sea-front location by the sight and sound of manceuvring vehicles, enthusiastically applaud the contestants. Nd wonder, then, that the drivers give their best-as they undoubtedly did last Sunday when, in weather not too promising (although it did not rain), standards of driving were achieved that were described to me by one police observer as excellent", and spoken of by others in very warm terms.
From the very start everything went smoothly and according to plan. However, the road route, which covered some eight miles, appeared from the plan to be a little complicated. Indeed, one or two drivers commented to me that they had got themselves lost. There were no quarrels over the Scoring in this section-the City Police had posted and briefed the hidden observers. When told this, querying drivers seemed satisfied with their marks. Four of the 122 drivers taking part got through the road-route section without fault.
The Highway Code test caused embarrassment to some competitors, though many got through with only nominal marks against them. One a20
individual-let him he nameless-surprised the marshalls by getting 47 out of a possible 50 faults in this section. A few drivers, by the way, forgot their driving licences.
The general impression gained from drivers about the manceuvring tests was that they were "dead easy "-especially the reversing into a loading bay. Even so, one artic driver tried to place his vehicle at right angles to the bay.
Overall winner, 3. Mennear, of Heavy Transport Co. Ltd., St. Austell, was warmly applauded when his victory was announced. He was winner of his class in last year's contest and his efforts were watched with keen interest after this had been announced over the loudspeaker system. Another driver of Heavy Transport-J. Brown-was being watched, too. Scoring no faults on both the route and Highway Code tests. he was unfortunate to go down rather heavily in the widthjudging test.
For the second year running the team prize went to Robert Daniel-a local dairy products concern. The team's smart, white-coated appearance before the Lord Mayor, Aid, H. M. Pattinson, at the prize presentation went down well
with the spectators. N.HiT.
RESULTS OF PLYMOUTH COMPETITION
CLASS A-up to 1611. and from 20.5 cwt.: 1. J. Senynnens (J. Se:omens). Morris. 109 penalty Points; 2, W. It. G. Johns (Robert Daniel), Commer, 133; 3, F. G. Taylor (G.P.O.), Morris. 139.
CLASS 11-16-19 ft.: I, C. T. Bailey (Robert Daniel). Morris. 90: 2, B. L. Courtney (Robert Daniel), Cornmer, 100; 3, G. Ball (Heavy Transport Co. Ltd.), Commer, 115.
CLASS C-19-22 ft.: 1, 17, Chudley (Wyatt and Bruce Ltd.), Commer, 130; 2. D. Codner (Symons. Cornall Ltd.), Morris B.M.C., 136; 3, T. Lambell (R. A. Gibbs Ltd.), Thames, 175.
CLASS D-22-25 ft.: I, D, Taylor (SP.)). Lid.. Exeter), Bedford, 146; 2, 13, E. Collinm (Richard England (Plymouth) Ltd.), &MC. Austin, 168; 3, P. Hine (Wyatt and Bruce Ltd.), Austin. 172.
CLASS El-over 25 ft., two axles: I. W. Dramn (R. A. Gibbs Ltd.), Leyland Super Comet, 233: 2. R. Crook (City Engineers. Plymouth). Bulk Refuse Loader, 266; 3, T. Edwards (R. A. Ciibbs Ltd.), Leyland Comet. 280.
CLASS E2-over 251L, more than two Wes: 1. J. Mennear (Heavy Transport Co, Ltd.). Fuden, 137; 2, R. Lawrence (S.N.S.0.. H.M. Dockyard), A.E.C., 178; 3. I. Brown (Heavy Transport Co. Ltd.), A.E.C.. 211.
CLASS Fl--artleulated tractise units under 4 tons, liar or sided semi-trailer up to 30 ft.: 1, J. Richardson (South Western Gas Board). Thames, 303; 2, G. Roberts (Heavy Transport Co. Ltd.). Ford. 329: 3. it. M. Thorne (late and Lyle Ltd.). A.E.C.. 334.
CLASS F2-ardeolated tractive unite under 4 tons, box or tanker send-trailms up to 30 ft.: I. A. E. May (Shell-Meg and B.P. Ltd.). Bedford. 260; 2, W. Lashbrook (Tate and Lyle Ltd.). Bedford, 383. (Two entries.) CLASS a-articulated tractive 'units under lions, fiat or sided sem.1-troliers op to 3011.: 1. K. Luscombe (R. A. Gibbs Ltd.). Leyland Comet. 287; 2, F. Wicks (R. A. Gibbs Ltd.), I.eyland comet. 354. (Two entries.) CLASS H-ardculated tractive milts over 4 tons. box or tanker semi-trailers: I. J. It.. Hallett (Western Petroleum Products Ltd.), Leyland Beaver, 310. (One entry.) CLASS S-standard Army vehicles, 19-24 1, Mne. P. S. R.. Reeves (43 Commando. EM.), Bedford, 185; 2, Mne. M. C. Chivers (43 Commando, A.M.), Bedford, 191: 3, CM. F. Davis (130 Inf. Wimp. R.F.M.E. (TA.)). Thames. 236. OVERALL WINNER: J. Mennear (Heavy Transport Co. Ltd.), Foden. TEAM AWARD: Robert Daniel, Plymouth.