AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Geordie Wins Perkins Prize

5th June 1964, Page 42
5th June 1964
Page 42
Page 42, 5th June 1964 — Geordie Wins Perkins Prize
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Keywords : Rallying, Truck Driver

B y E. J. MILLEN

XC1TEMENT came to Crowland last Saturday. Rally driver Bill Banks' farm (up in Northamptonshire) for one afternoon became the home of positively frenzied activity. The Perkins Drivers' Club held its first "Member of the Year" Competition there—and it was evident from the start (prompt at 4.30 p.m.) that farm or no farm on this particular afternoon there was certainly going to be "no messing I have never seen a lorry driver competition quite like this before. Having been weaned on the L.D.O.Y.-type recipe (solid, but inclined to be rather slow working) this rich and racy mixture took a bit of getting used to.

There were 25 competitors. These were the cream" of 200 members of the club who originally entered for the competition. These 25 survivors included 17 truck drivers, five tractor drivers, two van drivers—and George Good. George, who is 49 and works for I.C.I. at Billingham, drove a crane as usual. All vehicles taking part were powered by Perkins engines--but each driver was allocated a " strange vehicle ".

In view of this and the comparative aS severity of the course the general standard of performance was extremely high.

The contest consisted of two stages. First a written test comprising eight questions on the drivers' vehicle (80 possible penalty points) followed by a rigorous driving test (100 possible penalty points), The fascinating test course involved calling at an " office " to receive instructions (situated disconcertingly close to a pedestrian crossing), passing between a total of six pairs of closely set marker posts, backing into two simulated loading bays, and negotiating two sharp "brick wall" left turns.

Because of the obtrusion of the brick walls it was not possible to view the whole of the test area from any' given point. .This, allied to the speed with which vehicles covered the course (time penalties were awarded) entailed the more

enthusiastic onlooker in no little move ment on his own account.

At the end of the day it was announce that the Member of the Year" wa 33-year-old Henry Musgrove(who not rnally drives a Dennis) of Newcastle upo Tyne. Second was John Robert Hall, tractor driver, from Mahon, East York Walter Keith (35) of Morecambe. Lane took third place. Cash prizes of £50, E2 and £10 respectively were awarded.

Henry Musgrove, incidentally, lost onl 24 penalty points in the contest (20 c these were forfeited on the writte section). Driver Hall lost 36 points an Walter Keith 38.

If I have implied that this was a pa] ticularly successful event then that is th impression I would wish to givl Certainly all the • drivers appeared t enjoy themselves enormously. So did


comments powered by Disqus