N.Z. Trucking Contest

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31785, 16 September 1968, Page 17

N.Z. Trucking Contest

The winner of the national trucking contest held in Christchurch on Saturday was Mr N. F. Hodgetts of Riversdale.

The final had a field of 20 drivers, 14 from the North Island.

Mr Hodgetts, who drives sheep trucks and trailers, won two of the three driving sections of the contest—the articulated and rigid sections. The contestants sat a written test on the Road Code and truck handling knowledge set by the Transport Department and containing 30 questions. The practical course divided in three sections for trucks with trailers, for articulated vehicles, and for rigid trucks. Obstacles including driving through off-set alleys, parking and docking, as well as driving forward and reverse through a slalom course.

Points were deducted for mistakes and the mistakes incurred in the written test were deducted from the practical test scores.

Mr Hodgetts incurred 52 demerit points and Mr A. D. Stockman, of Feilding, who was second, lost 56 points. Messrs J. F. Curtain, of Invercargill, and L. G. Bushett of Takapau, tied for third with 59 points lost. The highest number of lost points was 96.

Mr Hodgetts was presented with the Atlantic Trucking award, a solid silver model of a vintage White truck and also $500; he also received $2OO for winning the articulated and rigid sections. Mr Stockman was awarded $125 and $75 will be shared by Messrs Curtain and Bushett. In the 11 years he has been driving heavy vehicles, Mr Hodgetts who Is 29, has covered an estimated 500,000 miles and has not had an insurance claim.

The first prize and prize money was given by the Atlantic Union Oil Company (N.Z.), Ltd, and trophies for individual sections were given by the New Zealand Road Carriers’ Association, the New Zealand Drivers’ Federation and the New Zealand

Truck-Trailer Manufacturers’ Association.

Mr J. A Hazlett, the New Zealand manager of the Atlantic Company, and Mr L. V. EtwelL president of the New Zealand Road Carriers’ Association. made the presentations.

The contest was held in the Riccarton Mall. Leading contestants were:

Articulated section: N. F. Hodgetts, 20 points lost, 1; J. Murphy, and L. G. Bushett, 21 (equal), 2. Truck and trailer: J. Anderson, 20, 1; D. H. Bruce, 24, 2; L. G. Bushett, 27, 3. Rigid: N. F. Hodgetts, 11, 1; A. O. Stockman and T. A Jurkes, 17 (equal), 3. Overall: N. F. Hodgetts, 52, 1: A, D. Stockman, 56, 2; J. F. Curtain and L. G. Bushett, 59 (equal), 3.

Mr Hodgett receiving the trophy from Mr Hazlett, New Zealand manager of Atlantic Union Oil Company (N.Z.), Ltd. In the middle Is Mr Etwell, president of the New Zealand Road Carriers’ Association.