A trophy in honour of the late Cyril Kenzie will be introduced at the 2022 UK Coach Rally. The development has come while the event – to be held in Blackpool over the weekend of 9-10 April – shapes up for a strong return after a three-year absence.
The memorial trophy will be presented to the best operator that is new to the Rally. Ann Cousins of organiser Coach Displays says that it will be introduced to mark the unstinting support for the event that Mr Kenzie showed over many years.
That saw him recognised at Coach Driver of the Year earlier in the Rally’s history, while a member of either the Kenzie’s Coaches active fleet or Mr Kenzie’s collection of restored classics was represented until the most recent gathering in 2019. Kenzie’s Coaches closed later that year and Mr Kenzie passed away at the age of 93 in September 2021.
Only three vehicle entry slots remain unfilled for this year’s Rally, Mrs Cousins adds. 52 of the 55 available spaces are now accounted for, including some by operators that are new to the event and thus eligible for the above trophy in its debut year.
She says that many entrants have shown a keenness to return to in-person gatherings, with the social side of the Rally highly anticipated. That will see the traditional dinner dance held at the Imperial Hotel on the evening of Saturday 9 April, when driving heat finalists will be announced. The weekend begins with a road run, before judging in the concours d’elegance and trophy presentations are undertaken on Sunday.
Additionally, Mrs Cousins says that support for this year’s UK Coach Rally from the trade is strong, with a greater number of exhibitors expected than would typically be the case. Thus far Alexander Dennis, BASE Coach Sales, EvoBus (UK), Ilesbus UK, Irizar UK, MAN Truck and Bus UK, Pelican Bus and Coach and Volvo Bus are confirmed, with the possibility of more to follow.
