And so my CM test of the I-Shift-equipped Volvo FH.480 44-tonner finished yesterday and highlighted once again the element of luck involved with any road test when it comes to traffic and the weather - both of which have a major impact on the final fuel results. However, for once, the Gods seemed to smile on yours truly (most of the time anyway) so here's a few scenes of what road testers like and don't like...
We certainly like roads like this...which just happens to be the M1 just south of Sheffield
We certainly DON'T like roads like this..the same M1 just 10 minutes earlier. Stop-start traffic and roadworks (it's amazing how quickly things go from good to bad and back again) is really bad news when all you want to do is drive. Sadly you'd be lucky to complete a road test without hitting any roadworks or delays like this.
We LOVE weather like this...hot, calm and as can be seen by the steam coming out of the cooling towers near Nottingham hardly a breath of wind...I'll probably not see another day like this on test for at least another five years.
We certainly DON'T like this. A strong headwind plays havoc with fuel results as does driving rain) which means you invariably have to do it all over again. A waste of time, effort and diesel. On the A1 south of Catterick Camp there's a RAF station (I think i'ts Leeming) and you can see the windsock on the airfield from the southbound carriageway and know what the wind is doing on your final southbound leg. It's important as this is our 'easy-A-road' section where we'd want to rack up a decent return. Yesterday it was completely flaccid....ahhh perfect. Unlike this one at MIRA.
We HATE [Now Brian, what are you always saying to the kids....you don't 'hate' something you dislike it strongly....but you don't 'hate' it] accidents and breakdowns like this... Either the recovery truck that had picked up this car had also broken down, or the Highways Agency guys were trying to figure out how to get it to the hard shoulder....the motorcycle cop had just turned up, no doubt to give his own unique opinion. Meanwhile, the whole this caused nine minutes delay as we crept past. And why do car drivers all think they can push their way to the head of the queue thus causing even more problems? If everyone moved over in good time there'd be no delays at all... would there?
But put all the good things together and what do end up with? A chirpy road tester and happy manufacturer. As witnessed by the cheerful demeanour of Volvo demo driver Rod Collett who's just spelled me for a short run down the M1 while I catch up with my notes and rest period...You can find the results of the FH in CM in a couple of week's time too. I think you'll be impressed.
(Oooh Biglorryblog you do tease us sooo.....)
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