Richard Kingston

RICHARD KINGSTON 1946-2022

THE CONSUMATE PROFESSIONAL

Reproduced courtesy of Commercial Motor magazine Words: Brian Weatherley Photographs: Kingston Family and various

DDM remembers the late Richard Kingston, DAF’s highly respected Press Demonstration Driver and Trainer who mentored countless journalists and working wheelmen in the art of fuel economy driving and HGV ‘Road Craft’

Considering the amount of direct driving support a driver can get from today’s trucks, be it lane-keeping support, automatic emergency braking, GPSbased predictive cruise control, and soon-to-arrive drowsiness detection, it’s easy to forget that not that long ago HGV drivers had to play a far more active role in controlling their vehicles, especially when it came to delivering good fuel economy. To achieve the very best consumption took time, experience, and above-all-else it required the very best driver trainers.

Commercial Motor’s road-testers, as well as those on other road transport titles, have long benefited from the sage advice and practical schooling provided by the manufacturers’ various press demonstration and development drivers, whose collective expertise has instilled in generations of CV journalists the art of delivering not just good fuel economy, but what the Police call ‘Road Craft’.

Throughout the years we’ve encountered many demo drivers, each with their own unique style. However, they’d invariably had two things in common: excellent communication skills and a desire to show whoever’s behind the wheel how to get the very best from their truck. In their own way they’re exemplary salesmen, though we doubt they’d use that term. Indeed, we suspect most would say it’s simply about presenting the latest product in the best possible light–by showing what it can do out on the road. That requires an intimate knowledge of the product and what’s gone on behind its development, and above-all-else, what makes it better than the previous model. However, it’s also about practically demonstrating its strengths and explaining how the latest technology can make a driver’s job easier, and their bosses balance sheet better. Two points that aren’t always mutually inclusive.

DAF has always been a strong supporter of CM road tests from its very first incursion into the UK market and for more-than four decades the stand-out press test front man and driver trainer for the Dutch truck maker was Richard Kingston, who sadly died in May just before his 76th birthday after a long illness with cancer. ‘Rich’ originally joined DAF in 1981 in its very early days at Marlow after working for many years in the industry, driving such diverse trucks as an Atkinson Borderer and a Mack F-Series Mack, often accompanied by his faithful Border Collie Cindy. He’d seen, and what’s more, lived life at the proverbial sharp end.

Richard (far left) on one of many tests. There was friendly rivalry between the Leyland and DAF teams in the early Leyland DAF days!

Peter Symons, truck market guru and owner of ICE Marketing, was Product Marketing Manager for DAF Trucks GB at Marlow and a longtime colleague. He well remembers that when Rich became one of DAF’s product demonstration drivers, he’d already acquired an enviable reputation as a talented wheelman. Peter recalls: ‘I knew of him before his DAF days. I was taught to drive trucks by an old guy called Edgar, who we’d nicknamed ‘Eggy’, who drove for my dad at BBO Farmers. Rich was then driving artics for one of the other local feed merchants who’d bought a Mack Interstater which Rich ended-up driving. Eggy knew all about this local ‘kiddie’ called Kingston and he told me “He’s brilliant, he knows what he’s about.” So, when Rich joined us at DAF, he already had a high approval rating! He was hugely enthusiastic, worked very hard, and took everything seriously from day 1. And because he took things seriously, and clearly loved the brand, it really worked for us and for DAF. He was a lovely man to work with and to know.’

Renowned for his meticulous preparation of press trucks, Rich mentored and tutored countless CV journalists in the art of fuel economy and what’s today called ‘defensive’ driving. His approach was to subtly encourage, offering measured advice and tips that gently inspired his ‘pupils’ to raise their game, gaining confidence in their ability along the way. Under his tutelage those journos conducting a press test, no matter the magazine, invariably delivered impressive results. When the test was over, he was always quick to praise a good driving performance. A good fuel result for a magazine was a good result for DAF and by clear association, Rich.

He was without doubt a superb emissary for the brand. On those (very) rare occasions a truck performed below its potential - usually due to his ‘arch-enemies’ of traffic jams, roadworks and bad weather–Rich could be disconsolate, but would never ask for a retest. His philosophy was always ‘it’s what it does on the day’ and to look forward to the next opportunity to promote DAF.

Rich took a real pride in his vehicles and was always quick to point out and explain a new feature on the latest model highlighting its benefit, whether to an operator or a driver. However, he was never partisan. If you spotted something that was not right on a truck, he’d always hold up his hand to it. More importantly you could be sure he’d be passing any negative observations back to Eindhoven where he was highly regarded by his Dutch colleagues in the factory demonstration department. His feedback, no matter how small the issue, would always be taken seriously, and invariably acted upon.

When DAF organized a new model ride-and-drive on the Continent, Rich was invariably part of the driving demonstration team, joining his colleagues from each of the different

Richard with one of his many painstakingly prepared press test vehicles

European market countries. Not only was he well respected within the DAF organization, but also extremely well known within the dealer network to whom he provided regular support whether on training, or simply when delivering a vehicle.

It’s no exaggeration to say that Rich’s behind-the-scenes efforts contributed a great deal to DAF’s early growth and current market leadership and product perception. The preparation of his test trucks, (always immaculately turned out and perfectly-specced for UK conditions regardless of whether it was a 7.5-tonner or a 44-tonne tractor) together with his relaxed coaching, frequently resulted in record-breaking runs at a time when road tests and the fuel figures contained in them, especially those of CM’s, had a far greater influence on operators’ buying decisions than in the years since 2009. From Rich, and his equally dedicated contemporaries, we learnt the now forgotten art of block-changing and how to get the best from a manual box (thanks to automated transmissions now a thing of the past) letting an engine ‘lug’, making the most of an engine brake and using the truck’s weight to cover ground ‘for free’. After you’d mastered that lot, he’d then get you thinking about ‘finessing’ your drive, like knocking off cruise control as you approached the brow of a hill, using the momentum of the truck to get you over the top before re-applying it ‘softly’. All things that now happen automatically with GPS-based Predictive Cruise Control. Ironically, thanks to ever-increasing technology, many of those skills we learned now seem somewhat redundant.

Rich wasn’t only a great teacher he was also a consummate performer in his own right. In CM’s special Group Tests, he was rarely off the podium. In September 1990 a DAF 95.360 driven by him finished as a group category winner and runner-up in the overall productivity category in CM’s very first 38-ton Round Britain Group test, a gruelling four-day marathon covering 1,500km featuring 12 tractors driven by the very best demonstration drivers. Those events were the rare occasions when CM’s journalists stepped back and let the manufacturers’ own drivers have a go.

Five years, later CM challenged the manufacturers to another 38-tonne Round-Britain Group Test, this time for Euro-2 tractors. Around the three-day route, out of the 10 contestants, Rich not only delivered the best fuel economy, but also the best average speed and overall productivity too - all the more impressive considering that his CF85FT mount was a left-hooker (as DAF hadn’t time to build a right-hand drive tractor for the event) and had barely arrived in the UK from Eindhoven before Rich was expected to put some miles on it and get it road ready!

When the numbers were totted-up on the last day, amongst the first to congratulate Rich was ERF’s legendary Test Driver Derek Rafferty who, though

narrowly beaten into second place, recognized, and appreciated Rich’s outstanding performance. Indeed, throughout the 1990s the competition for artic top fuel honours on CM tests was frequently between Rafferty with ERF and Kingston with DAF. It was fierce, but always friendly. Amongst his fellow demo-drivers Richard was not only highly regarded, but wellliked for his camaraderie and good humour. At various CM events like Tip-In and the Sleeper Cab Test, Rich could always be seen having a good laugh and a joke with them - usually at the expenses of CM’s journalists!

In 2000 after several years as a full-time employee, Rich became a freelance contractor to DAF Trucks UK continuing his work on press demonstrations, but also increasingly acting as a roving driver trainer for customers looking to get the best from their latest purchases. In 2014 he finally retired to spend time with his beloved Jaguar, attending many club events with his wife Judith and, more recently, polishing his Harley Davidson 883 motorbike.

Since his recent and sad passing, the tributes have come thick and fast from the many who shared a cab alongside Rich. “The last of a generation of stick-holding press testers who could say more by saying less,” is a typical example from Transport News’ Editor, Kevin Swallow, who did his very first road test with Rich. RTM’s Group Technical Editor, Colin Barnett, offers this similar appreciation: “On almost my first week at CM, when he gave up a day to show me how to drive efficiently, his guidance was valued. I always enjoyed driving with him, not least because he made me, and I suspect many-others look good.”

Meanwhile, Dave Young, former Editor of Truck & Driver recalls: “It was the meticulous work Richard put into preparing his test drives that enabled them to yield such impressive results,” before adding “A fine companion when truck testing, and subsequently eating at Le Casserole [DAF’s usual watering hole for continental ride-and-drives], in the Ardennes!’”

Peter Jackson of Econodrive is one of DAF’s current freelance approved trainers who worked closely with Rich over the years. “Always calm and gentle, I recall originally going out with Richard and ‘giving it large’ using all the gears trying to show him my skill with a constant mesh box. He rolled his eyes and said: ‘You wouldn’t get far driving like that as you’d be knackered by the end of day one!’ He advocated a make-it-easy for yourself ‘pipe and slippers’ technique of which he was a master. He was my guru and go-to man for great advice.”

Amongst his colleagues at the Dutch truck maker, Rich built up an unequalled reputation for his work ethic and application. DAF’s former long-time UK Truck Marketing Director, Tony Pain, was Rich’s former boss. He told us: “Richard was always regarded as the most professional of

A PERSONAL MEMORY FROM EX-CM EDITOR BRIAN WEATHERLEY

Having become CM’s technical writer in 1984 in charge of light vehicle testing I finally got my chance to move up to driving heavies in 1987 when I passed my old Class 1 licence. Whilst proud of my little red book I was painfully aware of the world of difference between driving a Ford Cargo with a six-speed synchro box and an unladen 30ft flat trailer and a fully freighted 38-tonner! Upon hearing the news that I was finally ‘legitimate’, Rich lost no time in inviting me to get some real-world experience behind the wheel of his black-painted 2800 DKSE (just one in a long line of beautifully turned-out demonstrators) with a fully loaded test trailer. It was my first taste of a ‘proper’ artic and under his guidance, after some initial trepidation (the last thing I wanted to do was to damage his ‘baby’) I loved every minute. A year later the very first artic I tested over CM’s then three-day Scottish test route was a DAF 95.310 FTG at 38-tonnes with Rich. That I managed to get around it without embarrassing myself was undoubtedly down to him. He was the perfect mentor, patiently explaining to me how to do something, and quietly encouraging you when it finally ‘clicked’. Back then the old CM route featured the notorious A68 ‘severe gradients’ section on the third day which crossed the Scottish Borders and down into Northumberland. It included half a dozen very nasty hill climbs, each famous for bringing even the most experienced drivers, never mind a cack-handed novice like me, to a sudden halt with an ill-chosen cog. Somewhat nervously, I suggested to Rich he might want to drive that section. His positive response was typical of the man. ‘No, you should drive it. It will be a good experience. You’ll be OK.’ With Rich quietly advising me to ‘come down a full gear here’, ‘just let her work’ and ‘watch the rev counter and the speedo, if your revs are holding steady and you’re not losing road speed, leave it alone’ I managed to complete the ‘valley of death’ without embarrassment… and with a whole new shedload of confidence. My overall fuel result across the three-days wasn’t bad either. Throughout the ‘90s the ever-rising price of diesel meant fuel economy rapidly became the number one (or close to it) reason for choosing a particular make of truck. Consequently, CM’s testers were expected (and quite rightly so) to be on top of their game every single time they took a truck out on test. After all, a bad fuel figure caused by poor driving could have a negative effect on a particular model’s prospective sales. And as the competition between the truck makers grew ever-more intense, so the unspoken expectations on CM’s testers to deliver a good fuel result, whatever the conditions, also increased! That DAF consistently delivered such impressive test results throughout that period, with each new model, and with different journalists behind the wheel, speaks volumes for Rich’s vehicle preparation and quiet coaching as to how to get the best from it. Once you’d gained his confidence, he trusted you to get on with the job. At that point conversation in the cab could turn to anything other than the truck. Rich had an innate mechanical empathy and ‘feel’ for his charges. While other manufacturers spent many days pre-testing their vehicles around CM’s route before releasing them to us. Rich could take his latest truck round his own three-hour Midlands circuit, and from its performance know what he could expect it to do around CM’s three-day Scottish route. Above-all-else, watching Rich behind the wheel was a lesson in how to drive completely ‘relaxed’ whilst in total control. Throughout the countless hours I spent in the cab with him I never saw him hurried or hasty. It was always a masterclass in consummate professionalism. I’m only sorry I can no longer spend any more time with a marvellous mentor and wonderful in-cab companion.

drivers, and also the one who best prepared the vehicles before a press test. Quietly confident in the way he went about his work, he was a master as the wheel.”

Likewise, John Beveridge was DAF’s Engineering Manager for 25-years and remembers his early encounter when Rich first joined the Dutch truckmaker’s team. “Little did I know then that Richard and I would become lifelong friends as we entered those pioneering days at Marlow. Reflecting on our days together gives me great pride to be his partner in crime, seeking to be the best no matter what the cost (well almost!)”

“At times Richard could be perceived to be pedantic or even finickity. In fact, he was neither. What he was was meticulous–and that’s a world of difference. We’d spend hours together seeking out the best specification for his next demonstrator. He’d trawl FSCs (specific fuel consumption) curves, gearing, load collectives and tyre degradation until he, and only he, was satisfied it was just-right for the job. And God help the journalists who switched on the heated mirrors during a test when it wasn’t necessary!”

“Whilst I like to think I aided Richard in his quest for excellence, it was he and he alone that ‘wheeled the artic out into the open’ and surely put DAF Trucks (UK) onto the trucking map in the UK. In this life, but more particularly in this business, you need ‘Fingerspitzengefühl’–the German expression that literally-means fingertips feeling – and Richard had more in his throttle foot than mostof us have in our entire bodies! This was reflected-in how not only he treated a vehicle, but equally how he treated a co-driver, customer, and his many press colleagues. In my opinion, Richard was the best front-end ambassador this industry has had or will ever have.”

Those are just some of the countless tributes to Rich we’ve received, though sadly for reasons of space, we’ve not been able to include all of them. However, we’ll leave the final word to Mandy Wannerton (who took over DAF’s press demonstration duties when Richard finally retired in 2014) and who’s long been a familiar face on DAF press tests and at company driving events. Having originally learned to drive HGVs in the forces she says: “I only do what I do today because of Richard. He was so generous with his time and his expertise when I first started. What he saw in me I don’t know, but he obviously saw something. He had his quiet own way of letting you know when you’d got things right and with the occasional gentle ‘tut’ that you should be doing it differently! I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor. There will never be another Richard.”

DAF Driver’s sincerest condolences go out to his Wife Judith and his two daughters Louise and Sarah and their three children.