DJ Thomas Coaches of Neath (pictured, above) and driver Robert Weston of Coleford-based Willetts Coaches were the two big winners at the 2024 UK Coach Rally, held in Blackpool over the weekend of 13 and 14 April.
Mr Weston’s victory as Coach Driver of the Year brought silverware at the first time of asking, and his Mercedes-Benz Tourismo concurrently gained recognition via the Cyril Kenzie Memorial Trophy as highest placed first-time coach entrant.
With its entry attracting great attention, DJ Thomas Coaches collected Coach of the Year and six other trophies for its Van Hool T16 Astron, the only member of the T range yet delivered to a UK buyer. Such recognition took to five the number of consecutive rallies where the Coach of the Year trophy has gone to a vehicle from the Belgian manufacturer.
Around 40 coaches were entered in 2024’s event, which took place against a backdrop of mixed weather conditions but a largely buoyant mood among entrants and trade exhibitors. Although predicted, rain largely held off, while the newly introduced beach party on the Saturday evening drew a strong attendance.
New metal sits alongside a returning name
The T16 Astron of DJ Thomas Coaches was an undoubted showstopper at the Rally, but many other examples of factory-fresh 24-plate metal were on show from manufacturers including Irizar, Scania, Temsa, and VDL. Temsa made a particularly strong showing among entered vehicles as availability of stock opens doors for dealership Temsa Sales UK.
While those new coaches attracted attention, a longstanding name also made a welcome return in the form of Kenzies Coaches.
It was represented by a Volvo B58 with Plaxton Supreme IV bodywork dating from 1980, entered by Craig Temple of Connexions Buses. He returned to Harrogate with the Rita Dalziel Trophy for top coach aged 25 years or older, having purchased the B58 following the death of staunch Rally supporter Cyril Kenzie in 2021.
2024 UK Coach Rally sees new names among winners’ roll
While a handful of regular names were absent from the 2024 Rally, other operators that were new to the event or had not been seen for some years made an appearance. Among those were Acklams Coaches, Exclusive Holidays, Meadway Coaches, Mervyn’s Coaches, Midway Motors, and Miller Brothers Coaches.
Runner-up in the Coach Driver of the Year contest for a consecutive Rally was former winner Chris Bibby of Bibbys of Ingleton in a Van Hool TX15 Alicron, thus taking the West Middlesex Coach Operators Association Trophy. Rosemary Williams of Williams Coaches claimed the Midi Driver of the Year title in a Temsa MD9 that was crowned top mini/midi.
The Peter Bostock Trophy for highest placed driver in the Saturday tests went to Chris Firth of Carlisle-based Metcalfe Coaches in a Van Hool T915 Alicron. Metcalfe also claimed the Alan Goodwin Trophy for highest placed coach operator in all classes.
Top Team on the Road was Coachpoint, which entered a member of its Setra fleet. That honour was celebrated with a backflip on the Comedy Carpet by two of the Aldershot firm’s young and enthusiastic team. The Directors’ Challenge was won by Nick Marland of Blakes Coaches at the wheel of a brand-new Scania KN410 with Irizar i6S bodywork.
On a country level, a very strong showing was made by Welsh operators. 11 trophies headed home across the border. In addition to the headline Coach of the Year win, DJ Thomas Coaches and its Van Hool claimed silverware for:
- Top touring/express luxury coach
- The Van Hool Trophy
- The Peter Rogers Shield for top Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) member
- The Cymru Trophy for top coach from Wales
- The UKCOA Martin Cornell Trophy for highest placed UK Coach Operators Association member in all classes
- The Bernie Porton Memorial Trophy for coach of the year as voted by coach drivers.
Lothian Motorcoaches earned recognition via the Tony Roose Trophy for top coach from Scotland and the Volvo Trophy for its Volvo 9700, while the Gwynn Williams Trophy for highest placed in all classes from Wales went to Adventure Coachlines for its Scania Touring.
Among the most eye-catching vehicles on show was Edwards Coaches’ Mercedes-Benz Tourismo L fleet flagship in striking Red Dragon livery. It was recognised with the Mercedes-Benz Trophy for best coach from that manufacturer.
Good showing among trade exhibitors at Rally
Various vehicles were exhibited in the trade area, among which was a Yutong GTe14 battery-electric tri-axle as the type made its first public showing via Pelican Bus and Coach. BASE Coach Sales, EVM, Ilesbus UK, Jones Bus and Coach Sales and Brian Noone, MAN Truck and Bus, Scania UK, Temsa Sales UK and Volvo Bus UK and Ireland were present, as were CPT, Parksafe, and RHA.
Vehicle suppliers among those reported strong ongoing demand for new stock, with early hints that some of the supply chain difficulties suffered by the industry are starting to ease.
At the 2024 UK Coach Rally, winners’ trophies were again presented by Blackpool Transport Managing Director Jane Cole and Traffic Commissioner for the West of England Kevin Rooney. Former CPT Regional Manager John Burch handled announcement duties.
2024 UK Coach Rally: The winners’ list
A picture of each presentation can be found below the following winners’ roster; click each image to enlarge.
Trophies and Awards
Coach of the Year: Van Hool T16 Astron, DJ Thomas Coaches
Coach Driver of the Year: Robert Weston, Willetts Coaches
Midi Driver of the Year: Rosemary Williams, Williams Coaches
Alan Goodwin Trophy – highest placed coach operator in all classes: Metcalfe Coaches
Tope Team on the Road: Coachpoint
West Middlesex Coach Operators Association Trophy – runner up to Coach Driver of the Year: Chris Bibby, Bibbys of Ingleton
Peter Bostock Trophy – highest placed driver in Saturday tests: Chris Firth, Metcalfe Coaches
Directors’ Challenge: Nick Marland, Blakes Coaches.
Concours D’Elegance
Top Mini/Midi: Williams Coaches, Temsa MD9
Top Standard Coach: Reptons Coaches, Van Hool EX15M
Top Touring/Express Luxury Coach: DJ Thomas Coaches, Van Hool T16 Astron
Top Executive Coach: Acklams Coaches, Irizar i6S Efficient integral
Top Coach aged five years or older: Exclusive Holidays, Setra S416GT-HD
John Fielder Memorial Trophy – top coach from a small fleet up to five vehicles: Exclusive Holidays, Setra S416GT-HD
Rita Dalziel Trophy – top coach aged 25 years or older: Connexions Buses, Volvo B58 Plaxton Supreme IV
Kassbohrer Trophy – top Setra: Exclusive Holidays, Setra S416GT-HD
Irizar Trophy – best Irizar integral: Acklams Coaches, Irizar i6S Efficient integral
Mercedes-Benz Trophy – top Mercedes-Benz: Edwards Coaches, Mercedes-Benz Tourismo L
MOBIpeople Trophy – top MOBIpeople supplied by BASE Coach Sales: Holmeswood Coaches, MAN RR2 MOBIpeople Premium 360
Plaxton Trophy – top Plaxton: Fowler’s Travel, Volvo B8R Plaxton Leopard
Scania Trophy – top Scania: Paul S Winson, Scania KN410 Irizar i6S Efficient Treinta
Temsa Trophy – top Temsa: Prentice Westwood, Temsa HD13
Van Hool trophy – top Van Hool: DJ Thomas Coaches, Van Hool T16 Astron
VDL Trophy – top VDL: Marshalls of Sutton-on-Trent, VDL Futura FHD2
Volvo Trophy – top coach supplied by Volvo: Lothian Motorcoaches, Volvo 9700.
Special Awards
Bernie Porton Memorial Trophy – coach of the year as voted for by coach drivers: DJ Thomas Coaches, Van Hool T16 Astron
Boon’s Award – best co-ordinated décor: Heathside Travel Irizar i6S Efficient integral
Cymru Trophy – top coach from Wales: DJ Thomas Coaches, Van Hool T16 Astron
Cyril Kenzie Memorial Trophy – highest placed first-time coach entrant: Willetts Coaches, Mercedes-Benz Tourismo
Fred Bibby Award – best loved coach: Paul S Winson, Volvo B12B Jonckheere Mistral
Gwynn Williams Trophy – highest placed in all classes from Wales: Adventure Coachlines, Scania Touring
Martin Wrightson Memorial Shield – oldest employed participant: David Reid, Prentice Westwood
Peter Rogers Shield – top CPT member: DJ Thomas Coaches, Van Hool T16 Astron
Smartest uniformed driver and/or courier: Mervyn’s Coaches
Tony Roose Trophy – top coach from Scotland: Lothian Motorcoaches, Volvo 9700
UKCOA Martin Cornell Trophy – highest placed UKCOA member: DJ Thomas Coaches, Van Hool T16 Astron.
