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routeone > Coach > 2023 UK Coach Rally: Saturday picture gallery
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2023 UK Coach Rally: Saturday picture gallery

routeone Team
routeone Team
Published: April 2, 2023
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UK Coach Rally 2023
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The 2023 UK Coach Rally got underway on Saturday 1 April amid unexpected good weather in Blackpool, with a solid variety of vehicles on show despite a more muted field of entries than in the recent past as operators reported busy diaries.

Against early predictions of rain, the morning road run was completed in strong sunshine, which remained for some of the driving heats that – despite an instance or two of confusion among drivers around the order of ceremonies – will be completed by the finals ahead of trophy presentations the following day.

Sole historic coach entered was a Volvo B10M with Jonckheere Deauville bodywork by Go Goodwins. It was the first vehicle delivered new to the Manchester operator in 1989 and, having been repurchased some years ago, has been subject to a comprehensive restoration.

As a past flagship of Volvo’s coach line-up, the B10M sat nicely adjacent to the OEM’s current coach range-topper, a 9900 in the fleet of local operator Bretherton’s Gold Line Tours of Thornley-with-Wheatley, in the first day’s driving heats.

While entries from Lancashire are in evidence, others from much further afield are also present. Scotland is represented by Prentice Westwood of West Calder. A Welsh presence is from Adventure Coachlines, DJ Thomas and Williams Coaches, the latter submitting a nearly-new Neoplan Tourliner.

Other long-distance travellers include a number of operators from southern England, while a further notable entry is a Temsa HD12 from South Staffs Coach Hire. It is the first new coach ordered by the Tamworth business and arrived only days before presentation at the 2023 Rally.

Meanwhile, Dews Coaches entered a new Mercedes-Benz Tourismo in a special livery to mark the Cambridgeshire business’s 70th anniversary in 2023. In recognition of that, it took entry number 70; ordinarily, no higher than 55 is used. Meanwhile, a Plaxton Leopard-bodied Volvo B8R from Paul S Winson Coaches commemorates 40 years of that business.

Ongoing heavy demand for hires was cited by some of those operators present as a reason for being unable to enter a coach. That apart, the usual level of pride can be seen among entrants. Multiple new models are also on display in the trade area, with exhibitors there reporting ongoing strong demand for vehicles as the coach industry’s recovery continues.

Click on any picture to enlarge, and to scroll through the entire gallery.

UK Coach Rally 2023
Sole heritage coach present was a Volvo B10M with Jonckheere Deauville bodywork, restored to as-new condition by Go Goodwins – and pursued by a Brethertons Gold Line Tours 9900 here.
Van Hool line up at 2023 UK Coach Rally
As ever, Van Hool coaches were strongly represented. A&P Travel’s tri-axle accompanies a pair of two-axle models from Bibby’s of Ingleton that bookend a PC Coaches Yutong GT12.
Neoplan Tourliner of Williams Coaches of Brecon
A smart PSVAR compliant Neoplan Tourliner was among the three entries from Wales; its owner is Rally regular Williams Coaches of Brecon.
Engine examination at 2023 UK Coach Rally
A finely-polished engine never fails to attract attention at the UK Coach Rally. Attendees examine the DAF PR unit fitted to Swan Tours’ Van Hool Alicron.
Dews Coaches celebrates 70 years in 2023
Celebrating 70 years in 2023 is Dews Coaches of Somersham, and its Coach Rally entry was a factory-fresh Mercedes-Benz Tourismo that suitably marks the occasion.
Yutong GT12 from PC Coaches in Lincolnshire-centric livery
Coaches are part of their local communities, as shown by a Lincolnshire-centric livery applied to PC Coaches’ Yutong GT12.
Volvo B10M Jonckheere Deauville at the 2023 UK Coach Rally
Go Goodwins’ restored Volvo B10M Jonckheere Deauville completed its driving heats during the spell of morning sunshine in Blackpool.
Reptons Coaches Van Hool EX15
Rally stalwart Reptons Coaches entered this distinctive Van Hool EX15, driven by Director Andy Repton here.
Glen Valley Tours Neoplan Tourliner at 2023 UK Coach Rally
Glen Valley Tours’ livery can never be mistaken. Its Neoplan Tourliner P10 prepares to enter the driving heats; more polishing was to follow.
Swann Tours Van Hool Alicron during driving heats
Swann Tours’ usual impeccable presentation was again in evidence on its Van Hool, which catches the sun here as Director Darren Swann undertakes the driving heats.
Go Goodwins Neoplan Tourliner with MAN OptiView cameras
A newer member of the Go Goodwins fleet is this MAN OptiView-equipped Neoplan Tourliner P10 – thought to be the first Rally entry with rear-view cameras.
Trade exhibition area at the UK Coach Rally 2023
Trade exhibitors were again well represented, with new coaches and new models in evidence adjacent to the seafront.
Volvo B11R with Plaxton Panther bodywork of Coopers Tours
Defending the Coach Driver of the Year title was Russell Cooper in his family firm’s Volvo B11R with Plaxton Panther bodywork.
UK Coach Rally 2023
Also marking an anniversary in 2023 is Paul S Winson, which – as its Volvo B8R Plaxton Leopard notes – celebrates 40 years of coach travel.
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