Brian Weatherley.bmp

Thirty years ago, a fresh-faced lad joined Commercial Motor as a junior photographer. After four years travelling the length and breadth of this great country, snapping operators, manufacturers and a whole bunch of other interesting (and not-so-interesting) things, in 1984 I switched to become CM's technical writer, increasing the magazine's light vehicle coverage significantly.

I next worked as CM's news editor (picking up my ‘Class 1’ licence along the way, and putting it to good use doing CM heavy truck tests). After a spell as deputy editor, I finally ascended to the throne as CM editor in 1989. Between then and now I held various positions including editor-in-chief of Commercial Motor, TRUCK, and Truck & Driver. I even edited T&D for a full year in 2007 (and had a whale of time doing that) before returning to run CM again in 2008.

During that time I also launched Biglorryblog, which grew like topsy to the point where it started to attract more than a million viewers a year – from all over the world. Like me, the people visiting BLB are passionate about trucks and trucking. So when I suggested that I might like to ‘wind down’ a little, the first thing RBI said to me was: “But we want you to continue Biglorryblog!” And that’s what happened.

Since becoming a freelance ‘hired gun’ for RBI, I’ve continued to run BLB as well as contribute to all the Road Transport Group titles, not least through road testing for CM and conducting Cab Kit Tests and Truckers’ Tests for Truck & Driver. I’ve also retained my position as UK jury member for International Truck of the Year – which is covered exclusively in all of the RTG magazines and on Roadtransport.com.

So what keeps me coming back to road transport after all these years? It’s a no-brainer. The great people in it, and the fact that – despite trying very hard – I just can’t seem to shift the diesel in my blood!

Contact:

brian.weatherley@backupemail.org