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routeone > News > 2025 UK Coach Rally: First day gallery from Blackpool gathering
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2025 UK Coach Rally: First day gallery from Blackpool gathering

Tim Deakin
Tim Deakin
Published: April 12, 2025
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UK Coach Rally 2025 first day gallery
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The 69th UK Coach Rally for 2025 got underway with a period of fine sunshine before clouds set in across Blackpool during the weekend of 12 and 13 April, with a solid field of operators’ entries complemented by good support from vehicle manufacturers and dealerships.

Saturday opened with the customary road run, followed by the driving heats. 2025 has seen minor change to how those tests are undertaken. While occasional punishment was handed out to some of the plastic barriers, drivers otherwise did well.

Illustrating how technology is ever more ingrained in new coaches, a significant number of those entered to the UK Coach Rally in 2025 have a camera monitoring system (CMS) in lieu of conventional mirrors.

Among them were two Yutong GT12 models, which are among the first delivered with such equipment. It was also represented at the Rally on various other coaches. Debuting CMS on the Mercedes-Benz Tourismo in the UK was a tri-axle example for Grange Travel, while the Neoplan Tourliner and Irizar i6S Efficient also showed the cameras.

Two other coaches with them are members of the Van Hool T range. Bibbys of Ingleton showed its T15 Alicron, while debuting a day after collection from dealership VDL Bus and Coach UK was the first of six T17 Astron models for Parrys International of Cheslyn Hay.

At the opposite end of the age scale, Portsmouth City Coaches entered a 1971 Leyland Leopard with Plaxton Panorama Elite bodywork.

Now in The Southdown Diplomat livery and branding, the coach was long liveried as the Brighton Belle. As a forerunner of the highest-specification coaches of today, it has 2+1 seating around tables and was driven by Managing Director Mike Elkin.

A further hint of the past was given by Go Goodwins. Its 2022 Neoplan Tourliner carries a striking livery used by the company in years past, as depicted at a recent UK Coach Rally by a Jonckheere-bodied Volvo B10M.

Perhaps best represented among entries were Temsa coaches. Examples from operators in England, Scotland and Wales formed part of the field, indicative of the growing volumes seen by dealership Temsa Sales UK.

Also notable was the number of coaches carrying decals marking anniversaries for their owners. Both Centurion Travel with an Irizar i6S Efficient integral and Edwards Coaches with a Mercedes-Benz Tourismo used their entries to mark respective centenaries in 2025.

Multiple marques were represented in the trade area. The UK Coach Operators Association brought a coach of its own: A Volvo B12BT with Van Hool Alizee T9 bodywork. Part of the Falcon Coaches heritage fleet, it was new to Tellings Golden Miller in 2005 and won Coach of the Year at the UK Coach Rally in Brighton then. It remains to team coach layout.

After a subsequent career with other operators, the vehicle was repurchased by Falcon Coaches and restored to as-new appearance, including its original cherished registration mark.

Judging, driving finals and the Directors Challenge were set to take place on Sunday 13 April, with trophy presentations completing the weekend’s events.

Below is a gallery of selected images from the first day of the 2025 UK Coach Rally. Click on any to enlarge:

2025 UK Coach Rally gallery
Centurion Travel of Midsomer Norton celebrates 100 years in 2025. It entered this Irizar i6S Efficient integral
Mercedes Benz Tourismo of Williams Coaches
Another anniversary is of Williams Coaches of Brecon. It is marking 70 years with this Mercedes-Benz Tourismo
Volvo B12BT with Van Hool T9 Alizee bodywork
UKCOA used this Volvo B12BT with Van Hool bodywork, restored to original Tellings Golden Miller appearance
Neoplan Tourliner of Glen Valley Tours
A regular Rally attendee, and among its most distinctive entries, is this Neoplan Tourliner of Glen Valley Tours
Scania Touring for Paul S Winson Coaches
Paul S Winson Coaches is a long-time Scania customer; in 2025 it entered this short Touring example
UK Coach Rally 2025 day one gallery
Metcalfe Coaches of Carlisle continues to support the Rally with its well turned out Van Hool fleet members
Edwards Coaches Mercedes Benz Tourismo
Another operator celebrating its centenary in 2025 is Edwards Coaches, with this Mercedes-Benz Tourismo
2025 UK Coach Rally day one gallery
After the day’s road run and driving heats are complete, coaches move to the Comedy Carpet to await judging
Van Hool T15 Alicron for Bibbys of Ingleton
Bibbys of Ingleton entered its Van Hool T15 Alicron flagship, carrying the operator’s distinctive livery
The Southdown Diplomat at the UK Coach Rally
Part of the Portsmouth City Coaches fleet is this 1971 Leyland Leopard with Plaxton Panorama Elite bodywork
Go Goodwins Neoplan Tourliner in Blackpool
Go Goodwins entered a 2022 Neoplan Tourliner in a livery previously used by the operator in earlier decades
Van Hool T17 Astron for Parrys International
The first of six Van Hool T17 Astrons for Parrys International of Cheslyn Hay was entered into this year’s Rally
Scania Beulas Cygnus for Henshaws Coaches
The first of two Scania Beulas Cygnus models for Henshaws Coaches was in the trade area; both are 3+2 seated
Brethertons Gold Line Tours Volvo 9900
The sole Volvo 9900 on hand was the smart example owned by nearby operator Brethertons Gold Line Tours
2025 UK Coach Rally day one gallery
Leyland Leopard Plaxton Panorama Elite of Portsmouth City Coaches includes the traditional brightwork
Yutong GT12 of Yorkshire Rose Holidays
Yorkshire Rose Holidays’ entries included a Yutong GT12 as one of the first with a camera monitoring system
Mercedes-Benz Tourismo of Midway Motors
Another Mercedes-Benz Tourismo from a Welsh operator was this tri-axle example owned by Midway Motors
Neoplan Tourliner of Lakeside Coaches
Lakeside Coaches – now part of First Bus – was represented at the 2025 Rally with this Neoplan Tourliner
Temsa HD12 of Wilsons of Rhu
Among Scottish entries to the 2025 UK Coach Rally was this Temsa HD12 of operator Wilson’s of Rhu

 

TAGGED:2025BlackpoolUK Coach Rally
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ByTim Deakin
Tim is Editor of routeone and has worked in both the coach and bus and haulage industries.
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