Luck often plays a big part in the success of a business. A touch of good fortune can give a small business the spur it requires to expand and take the next step in its development. Magazine readers with long memories might just recall the name Simon Sargent, the lucky winner of a competition in the much-missed magazine TRUCK, the spiritual forefather of T&D.
TRUCK burst onto the scene in 1974 and completely changed the transport magazine world. Until then, the established publications took a cautious, traditional approach. TRUCK blew this apart, with a punchy style, full-page colour pictures, detailed road tests from founding editor Pat Kennett and features from around the world.
What a prize!
The mag gained a big following and a few years after its launch staged an annual competition with a brand-new truck as the prize, entrants having to answer a series of detailed questions spread over a couple of issues.
The first year saw a 13-ton gross Saviem (a forerunner of Renault) given away, the next year it was a 16-ton Mercedes-Benz and in 1982 TRUCK went up the weight scale with a new Leyland Roadtrain 4x2 tractor unit. Leyland, heavily promoting its new truck range, was willing to give away a new Cumminspowered sleeper cab tractor.
Atherstone, Warwickshire-based Simon Sargent had started his fledgling road transport operation a couple of years earlier when he was just in his teens and by this time was running a 3.5-tonner and 7.5-tonner on express delivery work. With his 21st birthday approaching, he was looking to take his Class 1 HGV test, the intention being to move up the weight scale as and when he could afford a suitable vehicle.
Life-changer
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 2020 من Truck & Driver.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 2020 من Truck & Driver.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Well forked Daf
Remember, we like to cover all sorts of different trucks here at T&D – like this impressive new CF rigid complete with Moffett Mounty forklift
King of the hill
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Time Machine 2015-2019
It’s the final part of our series on the history of UK haulage. Let’s look back at those innocent times before that pesky virus turned up
Original and best
There are few trucks which have been customised to the level of the Scania 143, but let’s not forget that the standard product was pretty awesome just as it left the factory, like this rare 420
GOING ALL THE WAY
Simon Rogers got behind the wheel as soon as he was able to, and nearly 30 years later, his company is going from strength to strength, with a striking all-black, top-spec Iveco S-Way 570 the latest addition to the fleet
Abnormal loads
In the distant past, when dinosaurs roamed the planet, truck drivers were a very different breed, made from sterner stuff than us mere mortals
Range change
After a gap of 13 years, Renault trucks have reappeared in the unique colours of MacRitchie Highland Distribution. T&D takes the high road to Inverness to meet owners, Donald and Catriona MacRitchie
Cutting a dash
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Air we go!
On Saturday 29 May at 6pm, 240 drivers gathered with their trucks at South Mimms Services for a parade to raise vital money for Essex & Hertfordshire Air Ambulance
A Cutt Above
From coal to turf to fencing and loads more, there’s not much the Calcutt fleet hasn’t transported over the years
