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Slickness Beats Squalls

27th June 1958, Page 63
27th June 1958
Page 63
Page 63, 27th June 1958 — Slickness Beats Squalls
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A LTHOUGH intermittent drenching fk squalls disrupted proceedings in the Coventry round of the Lorry Driver of the Year competition at Bagington aerodrome last Sunday, marshals, youthful runners and hard-pressed scorers coped so handsomely that the event finished at least an hour earlier than expected.

Of the 131 competitors, 59 lost no marks on the road section, but it was remarkable that of the 21 drivers in Class C, only two suffered no penalty. The Highway Code questionnaire, as always, proved critical, and of the 23

drivers who gained first, second or third placings, seven lost no marks in this test.

The first manceuvring test, involving driving through gaps elected by the drivers as the narrowest through which they could take their vehicles, gave rise to one disqualification, but two competitors each lost only eight points. One of them, P. R. WilLetts (Lockheed Hydraulic Brake Co., Ltd.) lost no marks in the second test, parking by a kerb, and scored high in the third.

That he gained only second placing in Class D was because of 20 marks

W. A. Haywood shone brightly until he mis managed the garaging test, but gained a place and is still in the running

for this year's honours. dropped on the Code. If he swots up between now and September 21, when the national finals will be held at the same venue, he will be a strong title contender, as the winner in this class, S. Bull (Ernest Batley, Ltd.), in an Austin, pipped him by only one mark to score the best figure for the day.

Twelve contestants went through the parking test without loss of points, but 14 were disqualified. The third test entailed driving forwards into a "

garage" and entering another placed

at right-angles to it in reverse. Most drivers made one movement in reverse but W. R. Pringle (B.R.S.) was one who saved time by shunting his Leyland.

Inasmuch as no one went through this test without loss of marks or was disqualified, this test proved a good one.

RESULTS (Marks lost out of 500)

ChM A (Up to 15 ft.) 1.—Miss H. Large (Humber, Ltd.), Commcr, 62%. 2.—F, Whitmore (Messrs. F. Whitmore), Bedford, 96%. 3.—M. Atkins (Starling's Electrical Services), COmmer, 106%.

Class 11 (15-19 ft.) 1.—K. Kirton (Ernest Batley, Ltd.), Austin, 581‘,.. 2.—J. Hough (Quasi-Are, Ltd.), Bedford, 63%. 3.S. L. Haines (West Midlands Gas Board), Guy, 76%. Class C (19-22 ft.) 1.—F. Phillips (Quasi-Arc, Ltd.), Bedford, 62%.. 2.—H. 0. Thomas (Standard Motor Co., Ltd.), Austin, 63. 3,—). Morgan (Guest. Keen and Nettlefolds, Ltd.), Austin, 80.

Class D (22-25 It.)

1.—S. Bull (Ernest Batley, Ltd.), Austin, 41. 2.—P. R. Willetts (Lockheed Hydraulic Brake Co., Ltd.), Austin, 42. 3.—P. C. Smith (Humber, Ltd.). Commer, 43.

Class E (Over 25 ft.) 1.—C. E. H. Walker (Quasi-Arc, Ltd.), Albion, 48%. 2.—G. Bradley (Vic Hallam. Ltd.). Leyland, 63. 3.—W. A. Haywood (Messrs. W. A.,.Haywood), Sentinel, 60%. . . Class Fl (Articulated, Stud-trailers Under 25

1.—W. S. Warner (Humber, Ltd.), Karrier, 79.. 2.—R. D. Jones, (East Midlands Electricity Board). Austin, 97. 3.-13. Brooker (G.E.C., Ltd.). Morris. 1.25.

Class F2 (Articulated, Semi-trailers 25-27 ft.) H. Smith (Geo. Wimpey and Co., Ltd.), Bedford, 56. 2.—A. L. Burdett (Humber. Ltd.), Corm:tier, tied with H. 5. Heath (Stanton Ironworks Co... Ltd.). Commer. 79. ' Clans 6 (Articulated, Tractors Over 3 tons, Semitrailers 27-30 RA 1.—J. Hamilton (Sir W. 0, Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft, Ltd.), Comma, 991,:,.

Class 11 (Articulated. Queen Mary-type Semitrailers Over 30 ft.) 1.—A. 13osworth (Sir W. G. Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft, Ltd.). Commer. 113.