Critical Observers
Page 41
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AMONG those who braved a bitter north-east wind last Saturday to watch the Portsmouth round of the Lorry Driver of the YearCompetition were Mr. EgG. Whitaker, chairman of S.P.D., Ltd., and transport executives of T. Wall and Sons, Ltd., and Mac Fisheries, Ltd. They had come to see how the contest was run and whether it was worth supporting. They seemed to have been favourably impressed and there is hope that next year's contest will include a representative selection of Unilever drivers. The organization might even be persuaded to use its powerful influence in helping to set up new eliminating centres.
A group as large as Unilever is in a good position to hold a private
• competition to select .the drivers to be entered for the national 'contest Mr. Whitaker and his friends would have been less than human if they had not nursed a .private belief that their own drivers could have done better than most of those whom they had come to watch.
Precision Engineering
cULL marks to Mn Clifford Bower, manager of the Southsea branch of
Wadham Bros., Ltd., and his energetic committee for the 'organization of the maintenance inspection at Portsmouth. Nothing was left to chance and the vehicles passed through like clockwork. The examination was extremely thoroogh and could well be used by fleet operators as the basis of a preventive-maintenance system.
Mr;BoWer's keen appreciation of detail extended even to the examiners' scoresheet boards, each of which had a pencil, sharpened at both ends, clipped to it.
All concerned had been at panic stations for a week, for the examining centre had to be changed at short notice from the Command Ordnance Depot at Hilsea to the Southern GaS Board's gasworks at Copnor. The workshop facilities it the gasworks were a great asset and Mr. Basil Miller, the transport manager, who is a'natUral host, was in his element, looking after
his chilly guests. •
Length or Wheelbase ?
L"'VERYONE seems to agree that the classification of vehicles, other than
articulated outfits, exclusively by overall length is an improvement on the earlier system, under which eight-wheelers formed a separate group. Mr. R. J. Elmes, of Silver. Roadways, Ltd., inclines to the view, however, that wheelbase might afford a fairer basis of comparison. Much would depend on the difference between swept circle and wheel-turning circle.
Before the question could be decided it would probably be necessary to make tests with representative vehicles. Perhaps some of the competitors in the final contest would be willing to stay behind after the event and repeat their earlier manceuvres in a private competition arranged on wheelbase.
The Overseers
ONE of the wisest decisions taken by the national organizing committee of the Lorry Driver of the Year Competition was to appoint invigilators at the eliminating centres. These men have been extremely active and their reports Will he of the utmost importance to the future of the event. Much has already been learnt.
A clear need is for standard equipment. Walls are needed to replace laths and string as obstacles. A standard specification, 'giving precise measurements for the siting of obstacles, is another necessity.
Fraternizing
HHERESY has entered Stratton House! Mr. Norman Dean, general I manager of the West Yorkshire Road Car Co., Ltd., gave up a quarter of an hour on Wednesday to appear on B.B.C. television. If that is not fraternizing with the enemy, what is?
The case might have been rather different if the programme had been put out by Associated-Rediffusion, but it must be said in Mr. Dean's favour that he was talking about the difficulties of rural services. Perhaps the housewives who stayed at home to gaze at him on the screen, instead of using his buses, will in future be more tolerant of bus operators' problems.
Eye for Publicity
.ftR. R. B. BRITTAIN, one of the few hauliers who, appreciate publicity. IVIlaunched a flying saucer on Southend last week. With characteristic enterprise, he provided a flying cup as well, in which were Mr. E. J. Barber and Mr. Ford. It was hauled by a mobile crane owned by Essex Carriers, Ltd„ and took part in the local carnival. A cunning attachment caused the cup and saucer tb rock violently, but the uncomfortable ride was worth while because Mr. Barber secured a television interview and Essex Carriers received their due.