Drivers Show Their Skill
Page 55
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THREE difficult tests of skill faced the 203 entrants in the Coventry eliminating round of the Lorry Driver of the Year Competition at Coventry last Sunday. Apart from the two standard tests laid down by the national committee, a third extremely tricky, but practical, test had been devised by the local sponsors and produced a high rate of disqualifications for touching obstacles.
Consequently, R. Willoughby (Humber, Ltd., Commer 5-tonner) who wan Class D for vehicles over 22 ft. and up to 25 ft. long, did extremely well to score 456 marks out of a possible 500. This was the highest total of the day.
There was a large entry from British Road Services, whose drivers, handling Bristol eight-wheelers with admirable confidence, took first and third places in Class E.
The Standard Motor Co., Ltd., who lent their car park at Banner Lane for the manoeuvring tests, also had a large entry and scored several successes. 'Drivers of Humber, Ltd., gained two firsts and the prize for the best woman
driver (Miss H. Large in a Commer 8-cwt. van).
The road section to Banner Lane included 10 sharp turns at road intersections and provided ample opportunities for faults. All the vehicles entered were examined for mechanical condition and were found generally to be of a good standard.
Test I, described in The Commercial Motor on June 15, produced some interesting results. Drivers who, when faced by two pylons about 60 ft_ away from them, were able to gauge the overall width of their vehicles within inches, over-estimated by several feet when asked to gauge the minimum distance between two pylons at right angles to them, again about 60 ft. ahead. Several remarked that they could have driven through the pylons broadside!
Test 2, in which drivers had to reverse through about 60° to the off side and come to rest in the centre of a box and parallel with the sides, was straightforward, but was a trial of skill.
Test 3 found the weaknesses of a number of drivers and emphasized the
fact 64.. in executing a difficult manoeuvre, particularly in reverse, it is essential to begin from the correct• angle. Competitors had to start up their engines and reverse in a semi-circle into a bay 18 ft. wide with a 12-ft. entry. The bay was equal in length to II times the length of the vehicle. The two main sides were parallel, but a barrier sloped inwards from the front of the left-hand wall to restrict the
entry. . .
The competitor had to come to rest as close as possible to the left-hand wall and parallel with it and stop his engine. Only one forward movement was allowed. This test was timed, but the time factor was to be taken into account only in the event of a dead heat on points.
Several competitors who put up almost perfect performances were unable to resist the temptation to improve still further on them and in so doing touched the left-hand wall and were disqualified.