On Route Magazine - March 2015

March 2015

BIGGER, BRIGHTER RANGE OF WORK LAMPS

FROM LED AUTOLAMPS THE TOP TRUCK WORKSHOP GREAT FOR BUSINESS

powered by

The Commercial Vehicle Magazine from GROUPAUTO

CONTENTS

10

top truck Features

12

Supplier Features

10

SPECIAL Features

26

g-truck motor factor David Huggets Award

LED AUTOLAMPS Bigger, brighter range of work lamps

MAHLE Celebrating historic 13th AUDI Le Mans Victory

16

18

28

The top truck workshop Great for business

MANBAT Working for G-TRUCK Motor Factors

22

COmmercial Brake TEchnology Better than original?

JURATEK The development of a premium brake pad

08

Industry News New Financial Standing Levels

14

digraph Man in Black

30

trucktec Air Springs

24

BTN Turbo Delivering the best turbo service on earth

GTruck.co.uk/OnRoute

03

WHATEVER THE LOAD, HELLA DELIVERS Great demands are placed on the batteries fitted to modern commercial vehicles – and these demands are multiplied when the cargo requires the use of heavy lifting gear or other special equipment.

At HELLA we understand that operating a fleet of heavy goods vehicles is challenging enough in today’s economic climate, without the additional headache and expense that comes when a vehicle fails to start. That’s why our heavy duty Ultra Power and Ultra Power Plus batteries have been designed to deliver maximum power output and long-term reliability.

However these are just a part of our comprehensive battery range, so whether you’re running light commercial vehicles or heavy plant machinery, with a HELLA battery you’ll always be off to a great start.

For more information call 01295 225600 or email hella.sales@hella.com

www.hella.co.uk

Workshops.

GROUPAUTO

Logotype cartouche TOP TRUCK

10/05/2010

82, bd des Batignolles - 75017 Paris - FRANCE Tél. : +33 (0)1 53 42 35 35 / Fax : +33 (0)1 42 94 06 78 Web : www.carrenoir.com

TOP TRUCK

RÉFÉRENCES COULEUR : quadri

AIRDRIE - T.O.M Airdrie Ltd

IRELAND - Toal Truck Services

Ninian Road, Airdrie, ML6 9SE Tel: 01236 749559

21-23 Rathtrillick Road, Middletown, Co Armagh, BT60 4HT. Tel: 028 3756 9701 - 24hr Tel: 07525 569701 or 07710 256900

ANGLESEY - Holyhead Trucks

KIDDERMINSTER - Avonline

Units 10 -15, Mona Industrial Park, Mona, Holyhead, Anglesey, LL65 4RJ. Tel: 01407 721197 - 24hr Tel: 01407 721197

Arthur Drive, Hoo Farm Ind. Estate, Worcester Road, Kidderminster, DY11 7RA. Tel: 01562 519118 - 24hr Tel: 01562 619118

AYLESBURY - Chambers Engineering Ltd

KING’S LYNN - R.B. Trucks Ltd

Warmstone Lane, Waddesdon, Aylesbury, Buckinghamsh HP18 0NF. Tel: 01296 651380 - 24hr Tel: 01296 651380

Station Yard, Station Road, Stowbridge, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, PE34 3PH. Tel: 01366 382528 - 24hr Tel: 01366 382528

BASILDON - Elite Truck & Trailer Repairs

LONDON - Capital Vehicle Maintenance Ltd

Swinbourne Road, Burnt Mills Industrial Estate, Basildon, SS13 1EF. Tel: 01268 724771 - 24hr Tel: 07887 638016

207-209 Worton Road, Isleworth, London, Middlesex, TW7 6DS. Tel: 0208 758 0888 - 24hr Tel: 0208 758 0888

BOSTON - M.V. Greatrix Vehicle Services

MORECAMBE - Heysham Truck Services

Green Haven, Main Road, Stickney, Boston, Lincolshire, PE22 8AE. Tel: 01205 480459 - 24hr Tel: 01205 480459

Unit 3, Major Ind Est, Middleton Road, Heysham, Lancashire, LA3 3NT. Tel: 01524 858288 - 24hr Tel: 07802 890789

CARLISLE - OJS Commercials

OLDHAM - HTF Commercial Repairs Ltd

Unit 3 c/o F Brown, Cardewlees, Carlisle, Cumbria CA5 6LF. Tel: 01228 712465 - 24hr Tel: 01228 712465

HTF House, Fields New Road, Chadderton, Oldham, Lancashire, OL9 8NH. Tel: 0161 785 9691 - 24hr Tel: 07837 854709

CUMBRIA - Tyson H Burridge

PURFLEET - South Eastern CVR Ltd

Old Coach Works, Distington, Cumbria, CA14 5XJ. Tel: 01946 830333 - 24hr Tel: 07921 230078

Unit C11, Ensign Estate, Botany Way, Purfleet, Essex, RM19 1TB. Tel: 01708 860695 - 24hr Tel: 07985 302597 or 07939 136210

DEVON - Nick Sampson Mechanical Engineering Services

ROTHERAM - Bramley Brooke Commercials

Fair Oak Farm, Braunton Road, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 4AU. Tel: 01271 376701 - 24hr Tel: 07831 325593

Unit 1-2, Rother Way, Hellaby Industrial Estate, R, S66 8QN Tel: 01709 554455 Fax: 01709 547698

DONCASTER - Hycross (Garage Services Ltd)

RUGBY - John Hadley Commercials

Bank Side Farm, Hadds Lane, Thorne, Doncaster, DN8 4JR. Tel: 01405 740479

Unit C6, Mitchells Farm, Streight mile, Rugby, CV23 9QQ. Tel: 02476 715400 - 24hr Tel: 07968 753777

DOVER - Coombe Valley Commercials

ST. AUSTELL - Driveline Ltd

Primrose Road, Dover, CT17 0JA. Tel: 01204 214619

Molingey Quarry, London Apprentice, St Austell, Cornwall, PL26 7AP. Tel: 01726 67576 - 24hr Tel: 01726 67576

DOVER - Online MBT Ltd

THORNTON-CLEVELEYS - Hibbert Vehicle Services

Menzies, Dover Port Zone, Whitfield, Dover, CT16 2HQ. Tel: 01304 828673

Unit 10, Redmarsh Ind Estate, Thornton, Cleveleys, Lancashire, FY5 4EZ. Tel: 01253 865649 - 24hr Tel: 07852 947183

ESSEX - DBS Commercials Ltd

TREDEGAR - Waldron Commercials

Unit 1, Hedley Avenue, Thurrock, Essex, Thurrock, RM20 4EL Tel: 01375 382660

Unit 29, Tafarnaubach Industrial Estate, Tredegar, Gwent, NP22 3AA. Tel: 01495 725310 - 24hr Tel: 07918 197189

FROME - A J Reynolds

WARRINGTON - Haslam Commercial Services

Unit 18, Vallis Mills Trading Estate, Frome, BA11 3DT Tel: 01373 451383 - 24hr Tel: 07971 972811

The Garage Workshop, Albion Park, Warrington Road, Glazebury, WA3 5PG. Tel: 01925 763478 - 24hr Tel: 01925 763478 or 07738 148885

GLOUCESTER - Neil Ogden Commercials

WORCESTER - Midland Commercials Ltd

Mill Place, 90 Bristol Road, Gloucester, GL1 5SQ. Tel: 01452 506099 - 24hr Tel: 07872 119500

Hylton Road Industrial Estate, Hylton Road, Worcester, WR2 5JS. Tel: 01905 429922 - 24hr Tel: 07850 899535

IRELAND - South Shore Marine & Diesel

YEOVIL - Lufton Commercials

27 Annaloiste Road, Kinnego Marina, Oxford Island, Co Armagh, Ireland, BT66 6NJ. Tel: 02838 341010 - 24hr Tel: 07584906210

Boundary Way, Lufton Trading Estate, Yeovil, Somerset, BA22 8HZ. Tel: 01935 410410 - 24hr Tel: 01935 410410

Scan the QR code or visit www.gtruck.co.uk/workshops to view the worldwide network of TOP TRUCK Workshops

TOP TRUCK SOS BREAKDOWN HOTLINE

+44 (0)1274 681234

GTruck.co.uk/OnRoute

05

SOGEFI PRO is NOW available in the UK. Contact your local G-Truck distributor for more information and prices.

www.sogefipro.com

SUPPLIER

SUPPLIER

Distributors.

GROUPAUTO

Logotype cartouche G-TRUCK

23/04/2010

82, bd des Batignolles - 75017 Paris - FRANCE Tél. : +33 (0)1 53 42 35 35 / Fax : +33 (0)1 42 94 06 78 Web : www.carrenoir.com

RÉFÉRENCES COULEUR : quadri

Distributors of OE Commercial Vehicle Parts & Accessories

ABERGAVENNY ANDOVER ANGLESEY ARMAGH ARMAGH ARMAGH ASHFORD ATHERSTONE LONDONDERRY BANBURY BARKING BARNSLEY BARNSLEY BARNSTAPLE BIRMINGHAM BELFAST BELLSHILL BOSTON BRADFORD BRIDGWATER BUCKINGHAM BURNLEY BURTON-ON-TRENT CARDIFF CARLISLE CRAIGAVON CRAIGAVON CRAIGAVON DARLINGTON DARTFORD DERBY DONCASTER DOVER DUNDEE ELLESMERE PORT ENNISKILLEN EXETER FALKIRK FAREHAM FAVERSHAM GAINSBOROUGH GATESHEAD GLASGOW GLASGOW GLOUCESTER GRAYS GUILDFORD HAYES HOLMFIRTH

ABERGAVENNY BRAKE & CLUTCH LTD 01873 857216 SED LTD 01264 356324 ANGLESEY COMMERCIAL SPARES LTD 01248 422566 COMMERCIAL MOTOR PRODUCTS LTD 02837 539068 COMMERCIAL MOTOR PRODUCTS LTD 028 3752 5427 TOAL TRUCK SERVICES LTD 028 3756 9700/1 EAST KENT COMPONENTS LTD 01233 631951 ABS (BURTON) LTD 01827 717633 COMMERCIAL MOTOR PRODUCTS LTD 028 7181 0100 FRENCO SERVICE REPLACEMENTS LTD 01295 270711 DAVID HUGGETT MOTOR FACTORS LTD 0208 591 9911 BUTLERS AUTOMOTIVE LTD 01226 205841 NE TRUCK SPARES LTD 01226 900160 BIG WHEELS SERVICES LTD 01271 376532 DIGRAPH TRANSPORT SUPPLIES LTD 01384 78151 WOODAUTO SUPPLIES LTD 028 9045 9080 NE TRUCK SPARES LTD 07952 281568 HGV TRUCK & TRAILER PARTS 01205 365258 HS ATEC LTD 01274 721630 NE TRUCK SPARES LTD 07515 064675 PETER BASSETT LIMITED 01280 817174 HYDRAIR TRUCK & TRAILER PARTS LTD 01282 830870 ABS (BURTON) LTD 01283 568037 BIG WHEELS SERVICES LTD 02920 361030 NE TRUCK SPARES LTD 01228 511312 COMMERCIAL MOTOR PRODUCTS LTD 028 3752 5427 MTM LUBRICANTS LTD 028 3861 9105 VAN SPARES LTD 028 3839 9881 HS ATEC LTD 01325 464710 SOUTHERN COMPONENTS GROUP LTD 01322 553330 DIGRAPH TRANSPORT SUPPLIES LTD 01332 380300 BARRIE TOWLE LTD 01302 885464/886797 EAST KENT COMPONENTS (DOVER) LTD 01304 204697 D & A FACTORS (DUNDEE) LTD 01382 228202 ABS (BURTON) LTD 0151 357 2557 AIKEN AUTO SPARES 028 6632 4010/6018 BIG WHEELS SERVICES LTD 01392 216524 MTH AUTOSERVICES LTD 01324 633676 SOLENT TRUCK PARTS LTD 01329 822708 EAST KENT COMPONENTS LTD 01795 537228 DIGRAPH TRANSPORT SUPPLIES LTD 01427 811211 WOODAUTO SUPPLIES LTD 0191 341 0341 DB WILSON JR & CO LTD 0141 647 0161 NORMAC SPARES LTD 0141 556 4466 DIGRAPH TRANSPORT SUPPLIES LTD 01452 712300 INDUSTRIAL FRICTION SERVICES LTD 01708 864953 SED LTD 01483 538038 CARMICHAEL COMPONENTS LTD 0208 573 7555 WHEELSBROOK SERVICES LTD 01484 686304

HOUGHTON LE SPRING HUDDERSFIELD KETTERING KIDDERMINSTER KILMARNOCK KNOTTINGLEY LONDON LONDONDERRY LOUGHBOROUGH MAIDSTONE MARGATE MITCHAM MORECAMBE NEWARK NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE NEWRY NEWTOWNABBEY NORTHWICH NORWICH NOTTINGHAM NUNEATON OSSETT OXFORD PONTYPOOL PRESTON PRESTON PRESTON PRESTON ROTHERHAM ROTHERHAM RUGBY SHEFFIELD SITTINGBOURNE ST. AUSTELL ST. HELENS STOCKPORT STOCKTON-ON-TEES STOKE-ON-TRENT SUNDERLAND SUTTON TAUNTON TELFORD THETFORD WALSALL WALTHAM CROSS WESTBURY WITNEY WORKSOP YEOVIL

NE TRUCK SPARES LTD (NETS) 0191 526 3753 ABS (BURTON) LTD 01484 454470 FASTLINE GROUP LTD 01536 485584 FRENCO SERVICE REPLACEMENTS LTD 01562 754931 CUNNINGHAM TRUCK PARTS LTD 01563 559770 HS ATEC LTD 01977 607722 ACTON COMMERCIAL FACTORS LTD 0208 838 2001 COMMERCIAL MOTOR PRODUCTS LTD 028 7181 0100 DIGRAPH TRANSPORT SUPPLIES LTD 01509 651222 EF BREEN 01622 756576 EAST KENT COMPONENTS LTD 01843 225288 M&P AUTO FACTORS (MITCHAM) LTD 0208 646 2430 HYDRAIR TRUCK & TRAILER PARTS LTD 01524 66171 DIGRAPH TRANSPORT SUPPLIES LTD 01636 610888 SWIFT BRAKE & CLUTCH LTD 0191 273 4273 COMMERCIAL MOTOR PRODUCTS LTD 028 3083 4884 DIGRAPH TRANSPORT SUPPLIES LTD 0280908303040 NE TRUCK SPARES LTD 07595 281783 PANKS AUTO ELECTRICAL 01603 629967 DIGRAPH TRANSPORT SUPPLIES LTD 01773 537701 DIGRAPH TRANSPORT SUPPLIES LTD 02476 388333 HS ATEC LTD 01924 279294 FRENCO SERVICE REPLACEMENTS LTD 01865 772161 ABERGAVENNY BRAKE & CLUTCH LTD 01495 764540 HYDRAIR TRUCK & TRAILER PARTS LTD 01772 697038 LEYLAND AUTOS LTD 01772 695000 RIBBLESDALE AUTO ELECTRICS 1992 LIMITED 01772 555011 RIBBLESDALE AUTO ELECTRICS UNITS LTD 01772 796047 DIGRAPH TRANSPORT SUPPLIES LTD 01709 541555 HS ATEC LTD 01709 835816 ABS (BURTON) LTD 01788 553080 BARRIE TOWLE LTD 0114 243 6666 SOUTHERN COMPONENTS GROUP LTD 01795 420087 BIG WHEELS SERVICES LTD 01726 891333 HYDRAIR TRUCK & TRAILER PARTS LTD 01744 26524 CV PARTS LTD 0161 406 9224 NE TRUCK SPARES LTD 01642 613514 DIGRAPH TRANSPORT SUPPLIES LTD 01782 825004 PROVINCIAL TYRE & EQUIP (SUNDERLAND) LTD 0191 565 8141 COMMERCIAL & PLANT LTD 020 8644 2700 BIG WHEELS SERVICES LTD 01823 259184 DIGRAPH TRANSPORT SUPPLIES LTD 01952 588704 HGV TRUCK & TRAILER PARTS 01842 756770 ABS (BURTON) LTD 01922 455751 DAVID HUGGETT MOTOR FACTORS LTD 01992 762519 AUTO COMPONENTS (WESTBURY) LTD 01373 823531/9 UNIVERSAL TRUCK & TRAILER SPARES LTD 01993 700600 ABS (BURTON) LTD 01909 509163 YEOVIL MOTOR FACTORS 01935 426954

Scan the QR code or visit www.gtruck.co.uk/distributors to view GROUPAUTO’s Commercial Vehicle network of Distributors

GTruck.co.uk/OnRoute

07

INDUSTR

REMOVAL OF EXEMPTIONS ON HGV TESTING AND OPERATOR LICENSING The Department for Transport has published 2 consultations on GOV. UK and is seeking your views.

These consultations cover Goods Vehicle Operator Licensing exemptions and HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicles) periodic testing and inspections exemptions.

Here are some details about each consultation and how you can have your say.

that are included in the current definition of engineering plant.

Operators of vehicles in formerly exempt HGV classes would be required to have those vehicles specified on an operator’s licence.

HGV Periodic Testing and Inspections Exemptions consultation

Goods Vehicle Operator Licensing Exemptions consultation

The HGV testing scheme provides exemption for 37 classes of vehicle.

This consultation is about the proposal to remove or modify exemptions covering 10 categories of vehicle.

This consultation is about the proposal to remove certain exemptions from HGV operator licensing. The exemptions removed would relate to vehicles which deliver and process materials

Operators of vehicles in currently exempt classes would be required to have their vehicles tested annually.

?

INCREASED SPEED LIMIT FOR HGVS ON DUAL CARRIAGEWAYS Transport Minister Claire Perry has announced today that the government plans to raise the speed limit for lorries travelling on dual carriageways from 50 mph to 60 mph.

As of 6 April 2015, lorry drivers have speed limits that are better suited to a modern transport network.

The changes to speed limits will update previous regulations dating back to the 1980s.

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On Route Magazine

The government also published responses to a consultation on issuing on the spot fines for HGV drivers who take insufficient breaks from driving on longer journeys.

RY NEWS TEST TIMING EXERCISE FOR SPECIALIST VEHICLES Earlier this year, DVSA completed a major review of test times for heavy vehicles, to help make test scheduling more efficient.

We’re now reviewing test times for:

• Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA)

• Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval (MSVA) • Carriage of Dangerous Goods (ADR) inspections

As part of this study, professional timers will be visiting Authorised Testing Facilities (ATFs), Goods Vehicle Testing Stations (GVTS), and Privately Owned Test Facilities (POTFs) to time these tests.

The timing practitioners will follow DVSA health and safety

requirements and won’t interfere with the examiner during testing. They’ll carry appropriate identification at all times and will be timing the test process itself, not the examiner. They will not interfere with vehicle testing.

NEW FINANCIAL STANDING LEVELS FOR OPERATORS On 1 January 2015, revised financial standing levels for operator licence applications and continuations will come into force.

This means that when you submit an application for extra vehicles, or if you have to get a new licence, you’ll be asked to show financial evidence at the new reduced rates:

There will be no change to the rates of finance needed to support a restricted licence. This will remain at £3,100 for the first vehicle and £1,700 for each additional authorised vehicle.

If you’ve applied for any changes in the last month, you will already have been asked to show financial evidence at the revised rates.

New rates for financial standing levels Previous rates

Rates from 1 January 2015

First vehicle

£7,400

£7,000

Additional vehicle

£4,100

£3,900

FOR MORE INF0RMATION ON ANY OF THESE ARTICLES VISIT WWW.GTRUCK.CO.UK/ OROUTE-NEWS GTruck.co.uk/OnRoute

09

BIGGER

NEW , BRIGHTER RANGE OF WORK LAMPS FROM LED AUTOLAMPS LED Autolamps have launched a huge new work lamp collection, bringing the range to over thirty-five part numbers... with even more yet to come!

LED Autolamps’ long term strategy is to offer the most comprehensive choice of work lamps available in Europe; being a single source supplier to fulfil all work lamp requirements to the CV market.

As one of Europe’s leading LED vehicle lighting suppliers, LED Autolamps’ product range also includes an extensive selection of rear function lighting, marker lamps, interior lamps and warning lighting.

Known for the unrivalled quality of their products, LED offer extended warranties on all lamps, giving the added reassurance of fitting a product that will function efficiently and consistently over a long, maintenance-free life.

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On Route Magazine

The choice now available ranges from huge 24x 10watt LED light bars, to their most compact single-LED specialist spot lamps - all featuring 12/24V versatility, 2 year warranties and a low current draw, with most lamps now available in a choice of either flood or spot beam.

The new work lamps range includes some of LED’s biggest and toughest lamps to date; with heavy-duty alloy housings and tough polycarbonate lenses on all products.

These lamps have been built to provide consistently high operating standards in even the toughest of environments; ensuring vehicle work areas are always illuminated safely.

REVERSING WORK LAMP. A new speciality work lamp that has been introduced with the range is the 896FBM Reversing Work Lamp. This lamp features 6x 3watt LEDs, and offers full ECE R23 approval, allowing approved installation as a reverse function lamp.

R23 App r Reversoeved Work La mp

Standard work lamps fitted in this role, which do not conform to the strict European regulations, will result in a failure at type approval. The 896FBM has been designed with the specific output and beam spread to effectively perform this operation.

Contact your local G-Truck distributor for more information, or visit the LED Autolamps website at www.ledautolamps-uk.com GTruck.co.uk/OnRoute

11

DAVID H U

GGETT MOTOR F ACTORS LTD

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR G-TRUCK AND ITS MEMBERS...

ounding off a particularly successful year for GROUPAUTO and its membership, which witnessed several members grab the headlines and demonstrate their business prowess across the industry’s various awards ceremonies, was the IAAF dinner and annual awards, this year held at the ICC in central Birmingham.

“David Huggett and his team are well known for their high standards, attention to detail and commitment to quality,” said GROUPAUTO managing director, Jim Mazza, “which is why David Huggett Motor Factors has for many years been one of the group’s premier members.

“We are thoroughly delighted that the IAAF has recognised these excellent qualities and presented them with the superb ‘CV Distributor of Excellence’ accolade. Both David and the team Of the four eagerly awaited categories, behind him should be justifiably proud of the achievement. it is perhaps the two distributor awards that still have the greatest In response to winning the prestigious resonance with the association’s core membership. So while it is good news award, Debbie Baker, sales director that approved suppliers took both the of David Huggett Motor Factors said: “The key to success in today’s top and runners-up positions in the automotive and CV supplier categories, competitive marketplace is to evolve the announcement that David Huggett and innovate.

Motor Factors had been awarded Motor Factors must not be afraid the title of IAAF ‘CV Distributor of to step up a few gears, embrace Excellence’, was the icing on the cake on a thoroughly entertaining evening. change and meet the challenges with determination and excitement.

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On Route Magazine

“

“A profitable and sustainable business is built upon the foundations of strong leadership, sound structure, tight systems and motivated team players.

Under this ethos, we work with our suppliers as well as our customers to complete the sales chain.

“

R

“On a personal level, I am proud to have served the longest apprenticeship possible, under the greatest of men – my Father, David Huggett”.

The winners of the IAAF ‘CV Supplier of Excellence’ award was Valeo Service UK, with the runners-up spot going to Exol Lubricants.

KEEPING YOU ON THE ROAD! febi bilstein Electrics - Fit Confidence!

Looking for electrical components that guarantees FIRST TIME FIT with OE matching quality? Look no further than febi!

You can’t get better value with a comprehensive range to fit a wide range of European vehicles, from heater control valves, pressure switches and coolant temp sensors to steering column switches, windscreen wiper motors and heater motors.

Search for febi parts on:

www.trucks.febi-parts.com febi is a bilstein group brand

www.febi.com

MANinBlack By day, Dave Jenkins runs a successful garage, Stone Car & Truck Centre in Staffordshire, but his other passion is competing in the British Truck Racing Association Championship. Dave and his team were working around the clock to fine tune his 5-ton truck ready for the final race of the season at Brands Hatch in early November when we interviewed him for IGNITION magazine.

Another claim to fame for Dave was when he was approached to help legendary TT racer and lorry mechanic Guy Martin attempt to set a new British record for a pedal bike by riding at over 110mph at Pendine Sands in Wales. Together

with a bicycle builder and a design engineer, they worked out how to modify Dave’s 1000 horsepower racing truck to create a large enough slipstream for Guy to cycle in, and build a bicycle capable of high speeds. British Olympic track cyclist Laura Trott put Guy through a relentless training regime to get himself fit enough for the record attempt.

The challenge was set for the first episode of the first series of ‘Speed with Guy Martin’. Dave Jenkins and his MANinBlack race truck can be seen pictured here towing Guy across the Sands.

Check out the video at Channel4 On Demand.

DRIVER Name: David Jenkins Date of Birth: 16/11/1975 Hometown: Stone, Staffordshire Profession: Garage proprietor

When did you start racing?

I started my truck racing career in 1998, I’d previously enjoyed racing 125 gearbox karts and Grand Prix midgets in my teen years before the pull of truck racing grabbed me.

What has been the highlight of your racing career so far?

Through previous years of truck racing, I have regularly remained top 3 in the championship and the highlight of my career has to be becoming the overall champion in 2011.

Another highlight must have been the challenge with TT racing legend Guy Martin?

It really was a massive privilege to be asked to take part in the crazy challenge with Guy. It was a huge achievement and watching the footage back of Guy in my slip stream down the Sands was incredible. It is definitely up there as one of my highlight moments.

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On Route Magazine

What’s your favourite race track?

I have competed in the FIA European Championship, racing at the prestigious Formula 1 circuits such as the Nürburgring, Le Mans, the A1 Ring and Circuit de Catalunya, just to name a few.

My favourite circuit is Donington, probably due to my childhood memories, as my father raced at Donington during the first ever Grand Prix in 1984 when I was 8 years old. It is technically challenging but provides fantastic viewing for the spectators.

I enjoy the history of all British Motorsport and would be honoured to be invited to compete at Goodwood one day. We have had a close experience, when we were invited to attend Cholmondeley Pageant of Power in 2013, and had an extremely enjoyable weekend with a brilliant result.

How do you prepare for race days?

Truck racing is extremely physical and mentally exhausting, however having my family based team, along with other family and friends there to support me, helps me to feel positive when going into a race.

There are several weeks of preparation needed for each race weekend. I run my own business by day and continue as a race truck mechanic by night, spending many of my nights, with selective members of the team, reengineering and improving the truck.

The week leading up to the race weekend can be filled with many late nights and early starts. I even transport the race truck to and from every race meeting myself, including Nürburgring, Germany. This means when we arrive at each circuit I’m shattered but still need to be up early ready to race!

TRUCK FACTS Race Number: 69 Make: MAN Model: TGA Engine: MAN D26 Power: 1,100bhp Torque: 4500Nm Gearbox: ZF 16 Speed Brakes: Water cooled disc Weight: 5,500kg

CORE SPONSOR - DIGRAPH TRANSPORT SUPPLIES James Rawson, Managing Director of Digraph Transport Supplies, said; “We have a great time supporting Dave and his team during the racing season. It’s great seeing the truck in the all black Digraph colours and branding.

As well as sponsoring the truck racing team we also supply quality car and truck parts to Dave’s garage, Stone Car & Truck Centre. In all, our relationship has been strong for over 5 years and we are set to continue this with an announcement that we will extend our truck sponsorship partnership for a further 2 years.”

Digraph stock truck parts, brake parts, couplings & legs, clutch & axle components plus more throughout its Midlands branches. For all your truck & trailer supplies contact Digraph Transport Supplies on 01773 533355.

Picture by DR Hurrell

GTruck.co.uk/OnRoute

15

THE ‘TOP’ TRUCK WORKSHOP Top Truck garages have it all; they are part of a large multinational organisation, benefit from a host of business support services and all whilst remaining an independent garage.

Find out why being a Top Truck garage is great for business…

“The Top Truck partnership works both ways, although we are still 100% independent we benefit from the group infrastructure and image which benefits small businesses. The corporate clothing is great and we are proud to be part of a larger team. Conversely, Top Truck is strengthened by companies like HTF and the resource that we bring to the network”.

David Moore, HTF Commercial Repairs.

QUALITY PARTS Want to have complete confidence in the parts you fit?

One of the main advantages of purchasing via your G-Truck distributor is access to OE Quality parts at cost effective prices.

BRANDING The Top Truck garage network is one of the best in the industry, so as a Top Truck garage you need to shout about it.

GROUPAUTO make sure that all approved suppliers to the group provide assurances to the quality and suitability of the components they intend to supply.

Being the UK’s largest trading group, they also secure the lowest prices for their members without compromising on quality.

Top Truck garages have access to a fully inclusive branding package that includes building signage, vehicle livery, workshop painting, reception desks, as well as branded work wear and stationery.

Funding support is available to help you rebrand your premises and vehicles in the distinctive Top Truck branding.

THE TOP TRUCK WORKSHOP

MARKETING Top Truck has created a comprehensive marketing promotional programme that their garages can use throughout the year to tell people who they are and what they do; • Branded promotional items and point of sale material

HTF COMMERCIAL REPAIRS LTD

• Template software to create your own material to advertise your brand and services • On Route Magazine - commercial vehicle magazine distributed through ‘Commercial Vehicle Workshop’ and ‘Transport Engineer’.

“Joining the Top Truck network has elevated our business to a different level, giving us a clear brand and image that is recognised as the market leader in independent aftermarket servicing of commercial vehicles.”

Tel: 0161 785 9691

Carl Haslam, Haslam Commercial Services

HTF COMMERCIAL REPAIRS LTD

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On Route Magazine

TOP TRUCK TRAINING TOP TRUCK SOS As a Top Truck garage you have automatic access to the worldwide recovery programme through Top Truck SOS.

With a shortage of skilled technicians in the industry, possibly the greatest string to a Top Truck garage’s bow is the comprehensive training available through the programme.

• Technical training Top Truck garages are encouraged to follow a comprehensive and ongoing technical training programme with leading training providers. This programme not only provides technicians with technical expertise but also effective tools for managing their businesses.

BUSINESS SERVICES Have you looked at the amount of money you are spending on insurance? Do you have the best deal on your utilities, vans or courtesy vehicles?

You could be getting the best deal on all those things. Thanks to the buying power of the network you can benefit from savings on everything from tooling hire to waste removal services.

• irtec Licensing Scheme One of the most popular benefits of the Top Truck programme is the Institute of Road Transport Engineers’ (IRTE) irtec Licensing Scheme. An irtec license certifies the skills, safety and technical competence of garage technicians in line with the requirements of the industry.

Top Truck ensures that all of their garages commit their technicians to becoming irtec accredited within six months of joining the scheme.

• Apprenticeship Programme The Top Truck Apprenticeship Programme gives garages the platform to train and develop their staff in line with what the market demands of them. The programme is fully supported by GROUPAUTO and approved supplier Valeo, so all it will cost you is their weekly wage whilst they are working in the workshop.

RECEPTION

“All the support from Top Truck has helped us gain new repair and servicing contracts as many customers now want the assurances that the IRTEC assessments and on-going training gives. Top Truck allows us to be a top level independent repair business while giving us all the benefits of a nationally recognised group” Carl Haslam, Haslam Commercials.

FLEET MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE In today's digitally demanding world, software has become a must have tool for any workshop. The Blue Crystal Rental Fleet Management System (RFM) allows quick and accurate access to your customer and vehicle records.

All data records can be accessed centrally with just a few clicks – no more need for scribbled on wall planners and excel spread sheets.

“The aid of having everything going through one operating system has made revisiting old jobs so much easier and retrieving information faster. Gone are the days of trawling through countless old invoices or spread sheets.”

To find out more about TOP TRUCK, contact Martin Sangster on 07920 573548.

Or visit www.gtruck.co.uk/distributors to find your local G-TRUCK distributor.

Chris Elliott, Lufton Commercials

GTruck.co.uk/OnRoute

17

MANBAT & VARTA

Working with G-TRUCK Motor Factors

trucks are now equipped with a multitude of electronic devices such as wide-ranging entertainment

Manbat Ltd is the UK’s largest supplier of automotive and commercial vehicle (CV) batteries and therefore has longstanding and highly successful business relationships with many GROUPAUTO G-Truck members.

As the country’s primary distribution partner for Johnson Controls Inc., the company behind the famous VARTA® brand, Manbat is perfectly placed to provide members with the replacement batteries they need, when they need them.

New Technology In September 2014, VARTA announced two new developments, which are now available through the Manbat branch network.

The first is the VARTA Promotive EFB heavy-duty battery and the second, although less relevant to the CV sector, was the addition of the new EFB and AGM models into the Dynamic automotive range.

Nowadays, the power requirement placed on a typical heavy-duty commercial battery is huge as most 18

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systems, fridges and even microwave ovens.

To address this demand, the new VARTA Promotive EFB is an innovative battery that incorporates EFB (Enhanced Flooded Battery) technology to meet the needs of today’s owner-driver and fleet operators.

The Promotive EFB is the first heavyduty EFB battery with a unique acid circulator and is specifically designed for high-performance commercial vehicles with large power demands and intense vibration resistance requirements.

Its technological features guarantee improved performance and reliability over previous models and the innovative acid circulator effectively prevents acid stratification, a major cause of battery failure.

As a result, the Promotive EFB, which is manufactured to the highest quality standards in Europe, is designed to last longer than any other battery on the market and will therefore provide reliable and dependable power for commercial

vehicle fleets and dramatically reduce their unscheduled downtime.

The unique acid circulator is a benchmark VARTA technology that guarantees better acid circulation and keeps charge acceptance at the highest level. The battery will therefore last much longer and the risk of failure is significantly reduced.

Commenting on the range additions, Manbat’s marketing manager, Myles Pemberton said” “With the new VARTA Promotive EFB battery, GROUPAUTO members are now able to provide their customers with an innovative technology that is designed to suit the requirements of today’s fleet operators by providing increased levels of reliability.

For further details of any of the products in its comprehensive range, please call Manbat Customer Services on: 01743 218500 or visit: www.manbat.co.uk

You are on the right road

Japanese ingenuity?

German solidity?

Swiss precision? no need to look further Lumag is the right reliable road to success.

www.lumagltd.co.uk

Longevity through innovation.

RepSet速 SmarTAC from LuK. Self-Adjusting. Reliable. OE tested. OE approved.

LuK RepSet速 SmarTAC The longer lasting clutch repair solution LuK HD 30 PLUS friction linings With dual layer technology for up to 30% more durability 100% new Not reconditioned or remanufactured The most comprehensive range available Commercial vehicle clutches from LuK. Keeping your fleet on the road and out of the workshop.

You want more? We can help!

Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket (UK) Ltd Holme Lacy Road, Rotherwas, Hereford, HR2 6BQ Technical Hotline: 08457 001100 E-Mail: hfd-info@schaeffler.com www.repxpert.co.uk

www.schaeffler-aftermarket.co.uk

COMMERCIAL BRAKE TECHNOLOGY c

BETTER THAN ORIGINAL?

B T

“

“Most people believe that Original Equipment replacement parts are the best technical solution for fitting replacement brake components to their trucks, coaches or buses, if only they weren’t so expensive. In some instances this might be true, but only where the brake components are specifically designed and manufactured for a particular vehicle and a particular application. This is rarely the case. Most brake systems are manufactured by three or four major manufacturers, and although they do work closely with the vehicle manufacturers in developing new brake architectures for new chassis designs, it is often the case that a chassis, and its axle and wheel layout, is designed specifically to accommodate pre-existing components, chief amongst them the brakes.

“Take buses for example. These are often built using brake components which were originally designed for use on trucks which would trundle up and down the motorways but the braking pattern of a bus is completely different from a truck; the loading is completely different, and the dynamic stresses are completely different. A bus inevitably spends a lot of time splashing through puddles at the side of the road, and water incursion is just about the biggest problem for most brake systems. Truck brakes are simply not designed to cope with the kinds of wear and tear a bus or coach might impose on them, they 22

On Route Magazine

really are not fit for purpose. So they fail and we are called in to sort things out. We do a lot of work with some of the biggest bus and coach operators in the UK, providing them with a better and much cheaper solution than simply going to the manufacturer and sourcing the same OE parts which failed in the first place.”

‘‘

Commercial Brake Technology (CBT) is an engineering company, pure and simple; experts at brake systems in general and brake calipers in particular. The whole purpose of the company is to deliver re-engineered replacement brake calipers which are actually better than the original fitments they are replacing. Director Andrew Baker explains.

CBT are unique in many ways, but the key to what they do is their dedication to engineering excellence. When they receive a brake caliper which has required replacement, the first thing they do is to test the unit to find out how and more importantly, why it failed. With huge experience within the brake sector, the company has built up a database of points of failure within different brake systems, but they are constantly testing and checking to make sure they understand where problems arise with particular designs and what can be done to improve things.

After a unit has been inspected and tested, it is then taken apart by a fully trained and qualified technician, working in CBT’s spotlessly clean modern factory.

All the consumable components, the seals, bushes, pins etc are checked and inspected, to help to understand the nature of the failure and then they are disposed of and replaced with a whole set of new sub-components.

The important thing is that these components will be at least to the same specification as the originals.

However if there is a known problem or an identified point of failure, the re-engineered unit can be fitted with up-rated components designed to cure the problem in the original design and to better suit the application for

which the unit will be used. The primary mechanical components are checked and inspected and replaced where necessary, the main casting is then shot-blasted back to the bare metal, undercoated and painted with very special corrosion and heat resistant paint and then lubricated and painstakingly reassembled following strict guidelines with all the bolts being checked and then tightened up to exactly the correct torque level and marked to confirm the procedure.

The finished product looks brand new, works like brand new, is often more reliable and more durable than brand new, but is available at a fraction of the cost. CBT specialise in delivering reengineered solutions which can help factors, workshops and operators to provide a very high grade brake replacement solution which carries a twelve month warranty, from a specialist engineering company which boasts a 0.5% warranty return rate. The cost/ reliability ratio really doesn’t get much better than that.

No worries!

No worries, no pain, no doubts, no bother, no headaches, no trouble, no chances, no risk, no gamble, no compromise, no uncertainty, no comebacks, no complaints.

MANN-FILTER - no brainer!

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MANN-FILTER – Perfect parts. Perfect service.

DELIVERING THE BEST TURBO SERVICE ON EARTH Every operator of turbocharged commercials, and their factors, should know about BTN Turbo. BTN Turbo makes the bold claim of providing the best turbo service on earth.

So how do they justify it?

The BTN Turbo operation is huge; in fact, the company is the largest independent turbocharger distributor in the world, and the UK’s only distributor of all the major turbocharger brands, including Garrett, BorgWarner, Holset, Mitsubishi, Schwitzer and IHI.

Always 100% OE

BTN Turbo offers both new and high quality remanufactured turbos. Every turbocharger they supply is 100% OE, so it will deliver exactly the same performance, fuel economy and emissions compliance as the unit originally fitted.

Comprehensive warranties

BTN’s confidence in the products they stock is demonstrated by their two year warranty on all turbochargers.

That’s in addition to their renowned

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On Route Magazine

No Quibble Warranty for heavy commercial turbos; if a BTN-supplied turbo fails within a year of purchase, whatever the reason, you’ll receive a replacement free of charge – no fuss, no quibbles.

Free FitKits

In addition, 95% of the turbos supplied by BTN include a free FitKit. This comprises the gaskets, studs and nuts required for fitting, saving the time and effort involving in sourcing these essential spares. The FitKit also includes an oil-filled injector to preprime the turbo before first start-up, providing instant protection that prolongs the life of the turbo.

Huge stocks for quick delivery

BTN Turbo’s warehouse in Uxbridge, close to the M4 and M25, keeps over 18,000 turbos in stock. Combined

with a highly efficient customer service operation, it means BTN continually delivers on its promise of rapid delivery to get vehicles back on the road, fast.

Vital knowledge

Key to BTN Turbo’s exceptional standards of service is the company’s extensive experience. With over 40 years of helping to keep fleets and owner-operators on the road, BTN knows turbos inside out, and their unsurpassed knowledge has proved invaluable for many a technician.

Much of this knowledge is easily accessible on BTN Turbo’s comprehensive website; at www. btnturbo.com The Turbo Tech section shows how to identify the right replacement unit, how different types of turbos operate and critically, how to diagnose the fault that’s caused a turbo to fail. BTN’s advice in this area is unequivocal: it’s vital to identify and eliminate the reason behind a turbo failure, before fitting the replacement.

Unbeatable experience

Sometimes it’s best to talk directly to an expert. On the end of the phone at BTN Turbo’s helpline (01895 466666), there’s a whole team ready to help you with identifying and ordering the right turbo, and diagnosing a potential failure. When you speak to any of the team members, the benefits of BTN Turbo’s 40 years in the business are clearly apparent – you’re obviously talking to a company that know and cares about delivering the best turbo service on earth.

Simply fitting another turbo could result in a repeat of the failure. With the problem eradicated, you can be confident the vehicle can go straight back into service, and perform reliably.

GTruck.co.uk/OnRoute

25

MAHLE celebrates historic 13th Audi le mans victory Many engine component manufacturers supply parts for online assembly and replacement through independent garages, but very few can claim to have played such an essential part in

550bhp R18 e-tron cars – with combustion chamber pressure of 250 bar - MAHLE has developed unique cooling gallery steel pistons in MONOTHERM® design.

the MAHLE brand.

Since Audi began its domination of the French race 16 years ago, MAHLE has been a major supplier of engine components to the quality in both one of motor racing’s most exacting environments and as a reliable partner in the aftermarket.

Involved in motorsport since the 1930s, MAHLE’s Motorsport and Special Engines Division at Fellbach has played a key role in every one of Audi’s 13 wins at Le Mans in just 16 starts.

The results are clear for all to see, a winning combination of Audi and MAHLE engineering at the pinnacle of motorsport sponsorship. The sport provides the automotive industry with many promotional opportunities, but MAHLE’s involvement proves beyond doubt that it is what lies beneath the skin that MAHLE Aftermarket, which supplies original equipment quality parts to garages and workshops throughout the UK, celebrated Audi’s success by holding its own at its UK headquarters near Wolverhampton.

To meet the special demands of coupling Audi’s latest 3.7 litre

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On Route Magazine

BEN, the motor industry’s own charity, and put the seal on a year of far reaching charity and promotional activity by the West Midlands based company.

MAHLE Aftermarket’s story began two days before the race, when teams assembled at the company’s Bilston conditioning service, using the latest MAHLE Behr AC service equipment prior to a dash to the Channel ports and a blast down to the famous Sarthe Circuit at Le Mans.

No doubt about the star of the show – an immaculately restored V12 E Type driven by Simon Poole, Managing Director of MAHLE supplier Avon Freight Group, accompanied by classic car restorer Glyn Butlin of Butlin Classic Car Restorations. Glyn has painstakingly restored the car’s engine using specially developed MAHLE pistons supplied to SNG Barratt, the world-renowned classic Jaguar specialist in Bridgenorth, Shropshire.

“With wonderful weather, we had the hood down all weekend,” said Simon. “The atmosphere when we reached for both of us and we couldn’t have asked for better racing, especially the spectacle at nighttime, which we viewed from the Porsche curves. And as for the sound of the winning Audi R18 e-tron quattro cars, which combine hybrid electric technology for a high powered diesel engine, it was quite unreal”.

The atmosphere when we reached Le Mans was fantastic.

It was a first visit to this iconic event for both of us and we couldn’t have asked for better racing, especially the spectacle at nighttime, which we viewed from the Porsche curves.

Managing Director of Avon Freight Group Simon Poole Contact your local G-TRUCK distributor for more information on all MAHLE products. Scan here www.gtruck.co.uk

GTruck.co.uk/OnRoute

27

The Development of a Premium brake pad...

The development commences in the research laboratory. Different mixtures are compared with industry benchmarks to see which new formulation will progress towards field trial and legislative approval and eventually to the market place.

The development process will start with small sample tests and then the most promising materials will progress to inertia dynamometer tests at full axle loads. The objective is to measure and compare the effectiveness of the candidate grades over a range of different speeds, pressures and temperatures.

Wear testing then follows together with an assessment of the compatibility of the material against the brake disc under different operating conditions to ensure the material does not cause thermal crazing or cracking. Finally specialised tests will follow to ensure the material will function safely under the conditions likely to be encountered in service. The most promising candidates will undergo field tests before a final selection for approval and sale.

Juratek OEC2 underwent this process and

Braking Efficiency

OEC2 requires less pressure on the brake pedal to achieve the same stopping power at high speeds.

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after 18 months of development a material emerged which has a combination of outstanding features.

It has a high performance level and provides for shorter stopping distances. It also has outstanding stability of performance with speed and pressure coupled with a long pad life and excellent working compatibility with the brake disc.

Juratek used several companies to field test this new material, including one of the largest bus fleets in the UK and Team Oliver Racing.

This material is now the product of choice for several large bus fleets and for Team Oliver in the British Truck Racing Championship. Stuart Oliver, who is the ten times British Champion, claims it is the best product he has ever used.

the durability he needs as exemplified at his race at Brands Hatch. He ran out of water to cool the brakes which as a consequence reached temperatures of over 1200°C. OEC2 still functioned safely and effectively without structural failure of either pads or discs allowing Stuart to complete the race weekend.

However it would be wrong to think of Juratek OEC2 as “just a race pad”, – truck racing was simply another way, for Juratek to prove the outstanding credentials of OEC2 to the wider market.

OEC2 is equally happy serving the demands of road service use and is in widespread use in the truck & bus market. It is the product of choice for a major UK bus fleet, due to its low pad and disc wear and freedom from brake squeal – an important factor in the constant stop-start-stop metro bus world.

OEC2 delivers “instant” braking when Stuart applies the brake pedal and the output remains consistent throughout the braking application irrespective of the speed he approaches the corner. This gives him the opportunity to out-brake his competitors and shave valuable seconds off his lap times. OEC2 also provides him

Graph showing improved pad wear when compared to a premium OE grade.

Graph showing improved disc wear compared to a premium OE grade.

Air springs Twenty years’ experience in air spring production, supported by excellent results of endurance tests has allowed Tiptopol to prepare a family of air springs which meet the highest European standards.

The result of these actions is the appearance on the market of brand – TruckTEC. Due to the application of modified materials, delivered by European manufacturers the TruckTEC products are characterised by increased durability and endurance. The results of tests performed in the company laboratory confirm excellent properties of the product. The research which is being carried out at the moment proves that TruckTEC air springs meet technical requirements even after 7 000 000 cycles.

Tiptopol has research laboratories full of equipment, which focus on full control of quality parameters of all rubber raw materials and rubber & fibres raw materials being part of a bellows.

Detailed control and tests are also conducted when it comes about metal components and plastic components which together compose final goods.

High demands for strength of the rubber part of a product are assured by internal fatigue tests and resistance to the weather conditions.

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A very substantial task of the R&D branch is providing a client with the highest quality products but also with technical support. Knowledge on our bellows is derived from tests of our goods in working vehicles of our clients that are in public transport depots and in private transport companies.

TruckTEC air springs applied in trucks’ and buses’ suspensions are characterised by high quality of the rubber part and components, which is measured by:

Regular inspection of production processes, conducted re-qualifications of products, tests on raw materials and components assure one of the best quality results in the market. R&D is also a range of new projects based on inquiries from OE and AM markets. All designing works are based on the APQP system supported by the Technical Specification ISO TS 16949:2009. Having our own metal production department, we guarantee to our clients short implementation time of new products.

Each TruckTEC air spring leaving the production department undergoes a pressure test, owing to which the appearance of faulty products on the market is eliminated. Moreover, randomly chosen air springs undergo endurance tests which enable to estimate the pressure tearing the air spring.

•

• •

• •

high strength and resistance to wearing parameters very good resistance to low and high temperatures high resistance to external factors (ozone, salt, light) failure free when used flexibility and gas-tightness of the product

At present on our offer there are 400 most popular references on the market (Volvo, Scania, BPW, Freightliner, SAF, RVI, MAN etc).

TruckTEC air springs available from your local G-Truck Distributor

AIR SPRINGS Available from your local G-Truck Distributor

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