Combilift's day at the races

The riders waited in excited anticipation, their mounts poised for action, with the course in prime condition. But this competition at Sandown Park involved forklifts rather than horses, as it was the Southern regional heat of the Combilift Driver of the Year event, held on the first day of the Health & Safety 08 Show.

Top drivers from Combilift users including Travis Perkins, International Decorative Surfaces, Alsford Timber, Timbmet and Lawsons Timber came together to compete for this prestigious award. The going was good, over a testing course designed by leading training provider Mentor.

Each driver completed a run of around 20 minutes, and points could be gained by demonstrating smooth operation, using the features of the Combilift to best effect. These included working in much narrower widths than would typically be experienced in the workplace, sideloader operation, and transitioning into a very tricky block stacking manoeuvre. Mentor Instructor Mike Stevens was adjudicating, and in keeping with the theme of the exhibition, he deducted points for unsafe operation.

"The entire Combilift range has been designed to be straightforward to operate," said UK Product Director, Roy Redman, "but in the hands of these drivers the full versatility of C4000 was demonstrated."

All participants deserved to be in the winner's enclosure, but only one place was available. This was taken, by a short head, by Roy Cleaver of Alsford Timber, who was "delighted and utterly surprised" to come first. He received his trophy from Combilift's Paul Hopkinson, and has secured a place in the final, to be held at Combilift's headquarters in Ireland later in the year. Drivers wishing to be involved in future competitions should contact Combilift at www.combilift.com.

Combilift Ltd
Tel UK: 07968 490051
www.combilift.com