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This will be the best yet
Page 70
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by lain Sherriff, MITA
Never before has there been such excitement about the final outcome of the Lorry Driver of the Year competition. This Sunday, September 8, at Bramcote 270 men who have qualified at eliminating centres in England, Scotland and Ireland will battle it out for the title before an expected crowd of 10,000.
This is the 16th final and never has the outcome been more open. Each centre hopes to produce the winner and this year, when low scoring has been commonplace at the eliminators, each centre has at least one man capable of putting it off. And current champion Reg Tooze from Torbay is in again.
The Torbay round has produced the national champion for the last two years and Len Newman, the local secretary, hopes to make it three in a row. He won't be there to see it, however, as business has called him to Munich.
In Portsmouth they feel that A. Fasseau of British Railways will put up a particularly strong challenge, while at Weymouth there are hopes that E. L. England of Texaco will lead the field.
W. Lumsden, the railway man who caused blushes last year when he lifted the RHA trophy at the Final, is a Scot who carries special hopes from Edinburgh. Another Scot to watch is C. Symon from Dunfermline—this man drives a van but is experienced in every class of vehicle.
The one dangerous aspect to this competition, however, is to forecast the winner. There is no doubt that all of the finalists are experienced men but nerves will play a big part on the day, and this year more than others.
The 1968 test is in two parts with four sections in part one and three sections in part two. After part one has been completed the half-time score will be posted and drivers will go on to part two knowing Where they stand.
The 10 class winners who will compete for the supreme title will do so on four Bedford vehicles supplied by Vauxhall. This test comprises of four sections and competitors will not know what is involved until 30min before they compete.
Reaching the final is no mean feat be
cause, although a driver has qualified at an eliminator, he must remain free from blameworthy accident up to the moment he enters the test area. This in fact can mean 18 accident-free months, and two of those who qualified for the final have had to withdraw.
There are a number of side attractions and one which should attract a great deal of operator interest is the RTITB stand. The non-competing drivers are catered for at two stands. British Ropes Ltd. is again organizing a roping and sheeting competition. So successful was this attraction last year that there will be four vehicles instead of two to cope with the demand.
Self Energising Disc Brakes Ltd. will give spectators the opportunity to test its Hope anti-jack-knifing device. This will involve driving an artic on one of the camp's side roads.
The children will find lots to entertain them and the driver's wife has not been forgotten. Ruth Morgan of Woman will judge a "lorry driver's menu" contest and the winner will receive a Prestige kitchen set and a year's subscription to Woman. The four runners-up are to receive kitchen sets.
During the last few days the offices of Commercial Motor, which sponsors the event, have been bombarded with callers all eager to know what facilities are available for spectators. The answer is that there are ample car parks, refreshment tents and items of interest to ensure a day's entertain. ment. British Railways is attending in force with coach loads of supporters. Other companies have made this Sunday their annual outing. Mr. "Jock" Stirling and Major Norman McCullagh are flying in from Ulster and the chief scrutineer, Frank Woodward, is arriving by helicopter. The enthusiasm of all appears boundless. Witness to this fact is that this year's tests are to be judged by teams who will travel from Dunfermline, Northampton, Coventry, Manchester, Portsmouth, Southall, Ruislip and Oxford.
Prizes will be presented by Sir Reginald Wilson, THC chairman.
Only one question remains: who will be the Lorry Driver of the Year? We shall be carrying a full report by Bob Holliday next week for those who cannot be present. The venue is, as last year, at the Gamecock Barracks of the Junior Leaders Regiment (R.A.) at Bramcote, near Nuneaton, Warwickshire, and approach routes will be signposted.
HERE IS THE TEST
The test is divided into two parts—the first four sections to be carried out in the morning and the last three sections later.
Part 1 Competitors should note that after being measured at barrier CC in Section 1, all movement is continuous to the end of Section 3. Drivers should stop only if instructed to do so by a marshal, The movement from barrier CC to end of Section 3 is timed.
At Section 1. start with front wheels on line AA. At fall of flag drive forward without stopping to line BB, and stop astride it. Reverse from line BB up to but not touching barrier CC. From line BB to barrier CC three forward shunts are permitted. All forward moves are penalized, however, so the greater number of shunts the greater the penalty.
On starting signal.• drive from barrier CC between pylons S and T and V and 2, allowing equal clearance on both sides of vehicle. This completes Section 2. Without stopping, proceed through Section 3 where the marker balls must be dislodged in sequence with the nearside front wheel. Proceed to Section 4. After Section 4, park vehicle as instructed. (End of Part 1.1 Drivers will undertake further manoeuvrability tests later in the day and will be required to return to their vehicles immediately Part 2 of the contest is announced. .
Results for Part 1 will be posted as soon as available without waiting for commencement of Part 2.
Part 2
At Section 5. start with front wheels on line AA. At fall of flag. drive forward maintaining continuous movement to stop astride line BB. Reverse from line BB to park vehicle at kerb CC.
A maximum of Three moves is permitted— forward, reverse, forward.
From kerb CC to target X continuous forward movement must be maintained.
On starting signal, drive forward from kerb CC to Section 6 where the marker balls must be dislodged in sequence with the nearside front wheel. Drive straight into Section 7 and stop with nearside front wheel as near centre of target X as possible. Now reverse to stop with nearside rear wheells) as near as possible to centre of target Y. Under instructions from marshal proceed from the test area for parking instructions.