SAM Retain their Title

Solihull Advanced Motorist's Julia Dobbs has won the coveted Steve Mann Challenge Trophy, retaining the title won last year by Solihull Advanced Motorists.

The Steve Mann Challenge is a midlands inter-group advanced driving competition, first hosted in 1998 by the West Midlands group of RoSPA Advanced Drivers Association, in memory of Steve Mann, a member of both the IAM and RoADA, who had passed the IAM test and the RoSPA test (gold standard) in car and was training for his motorbike test. He was also an observer, but died at the age of 22 in a road traffic accident, the result of another driver's lapse of concentration. His parents and sister wanted to continue encouraging drivers, especially younger drivers, to take the advanced test, and the aim of the challenge is to promote the highest driving standards and foster good relations between the groups, as well as having a competitive edge.

This year's competition, organised by SAM, was held on Sunday 11th July, based at the Old Silhillians Sports Ground in Knowle, from where the drivers started and finished the two demanding predefined routes - the first an out of town route with dual carriageway, encompassing Meriden, Filongley, Coleshill and the A446; and the other around the urban roads of Solihull, Shirley, Dorridge and Knowle - before completing questionnaires on the Highway Code and the Roadcraft advanced driving manual. After each drive, the examiner gave a debrief and feedback to the driver and awarded marks, which together with those achieved in the questionnaires, decided the winner.

None of this year's drivers had competed before, but the relaxed atmosphere meant they could enjoy the morning, and to the delight of Bob and Gill Mann, Steve Mann's parents, and his sister Lisa, three of the drivers were ladies - the highest number to have driven in the competition - only two or three have ever taken part before, with two of the ladies achieving the winner and runner up places.

Over a buffet lunch, the scores were collated and the results announced and trophy presented by Mr Bob Mann. Many congratulations to the winner, Julia Dobbs and the runners up, Marilyn Chambers and Calum Buck. Everyone taking part thoroughly enjoyed the morning, with the drivers gaining valuable feedback from the examiners to further enhance their driving skills, whilst the examiners enjoyed the drives provided and being part of the event.

As this year's organiser, I would like to thank all the drivers for taking part, the navigators for calling out the routes to the drivers, and the examiners for giving their time and expertise to the drivers, and to Richard Carney, SAM chairman, for co-ordinating the scoring on the day. My thanks also to Mr and Mrs Mann and Lisa Mann, for their continued encouragement and support. Solihull again has the honour of hosting next year's event and I look forward to another enjoyable event.

Oliver Turley