The Lancashire seaside town will again host the 64th UK Coach Rally on 28-29 April. It is set to display the industry at its best, with entries and trade support building for one of the highlights of the calendar
In less than two weeks’ time on 28-29 April, coach operators from all four Home Nations will gather in Blackpool as their vehicles and drivers take part in the 64th UK Coach Rally.
Entries are once again strong as the Rally continues its resurgence since a move to the Fylde coast. Organiser Coach Displays expects a full turnout of 55 entrants, and with a few spaces still up for grabs, there is still time to enter if you haven’t done so already.
As in previous years, matters get underway on the Saturday morning with a 50-mile road run through Lancashire. Driving heats will be held after lunch and the popular dinner dance will take place during the evening at the Tower Ballroom.
On Sunday the driving test finals will be staged, as will the all-important judging. Presentation of trophies will complete the weekend.
Chasing silverware on all fronts
Blakes Coaches of Devon heads back to Blackpool with the big trophy. It won Coach of the Year in 2017 for its striking Beulas Mythos-bodied MAN RR4.
Bibbys of Ingleton returns to defend the Alan Goodwin Trophy for best placed coach in all classes; Bibbys’ driver Chris Bibby also took home the accolade of Coach Driver of the Year in 2017.
Reigning Top Team of the Year Haines Minicoaches will once again support the Rally, as will many other stalwart attendees, including Johnson Bros Tours, Paul S Winson Coaches, Stanley Travel and York Pullman to name but a few.
Local operators will be well represented. Swann Tours attended its first Rally in 2017 and it took home two awards for its superbly-presented Van Hool-bodied DAF SB4000. It will be joined by Bradshaws Travel, Bretherton’s Gold Line Tours, and Holmeswood Coaches.
A number of new names will be seen at this year’s Rally, including Metcalfe Coaches of Carlisle and Yorkshire Rose Holidays. Classic Coaches of Newry, Co Down, will once again represent Northern Ireland.
Judgment day approaches
A large number of awards will be presented at the Rally, although by whom has not yet been confirmed.
The headline silverware is complemented by other trophies that are particular to the vehicle manufacturer or the operator’s country of origin. There are also a number of driver-specific categories, along with a handful of special awards.
Judges are drawn from around the industry and they have in the past included a Traffic Commissioner, DVSA representatives, and a retired senior bus manager. routeone will once again be represented on the judging panel.
Trade support strong once again
The UK Coach Rally would not be possible without the loyal support of vehicle suppliers. They will be out in force in Blackpool with a variety of the latest equipment on show.
Arriva Bus and Coach will exhibit a Temsa MD9 midicoach and the recently-unveiled two-axle, 13.3m Van Hool EX16M. BASE Coach Sales will also be in attendance, as will Moseley in the South and Plaxton, all with as-yet unconfirmed products.
Mini and midicoaches will be well-represented. EVM will display an extended 19-seat Mercedes-Benz Sprinter-based conversion in the livery of Lakeside Coaches. It will also show a similar but very high-specification example for conquest customer Britannia Coaches of Dover.
Minis to Midis continues to promote the two Iveco Daily-based models that it offers, with both the Noone Turas 600s and the Turas 700 set to be in attendance.
Pelican Bus and Coach will again support the Rally. This year it will display a Yutong TC9 from the Happy Days Coaches of Stafford fleet, which has been finished in the customer’s livery at the factory and which comes with 37 half-leather seats.
EvoBus (UK) is to show a Mercedes-Benz Tourismo M/2. The M/2 was new to right-hand drive with the updated Tourismo range, and it is a 13m, two-axle model. The display coach will have 55 seats along with a centre sunken toilet.
Irizar UK is another exhibitor to display a customer’s coach. The 12.9m i6s integral will be formally handed over to Elcock Reisen during the weekend. Irizar UK will also have a hospitality trailer present.
Exhibited for the first time in the UK will be the 13.2m, two-axle Neoplan Tourliner P10 as part of the MAN Bus and Coach stand. It is understood that the first P10 for a customer will be entered into the Rally. MAN will also have a hospitality unit. Last but not least, Volvo Bus is set to have a Jonckheere JHV2-bodied B11R on hand for inspection.
All vehicle suppliers will have staff on hand throughout the weekend, while event sponsor the London Tourist Coach Operators Association will also be represented.
All that is now required is for Blackpool’s weather to co-operate, and the coach industry will once again be set fair to do what it does best in Lancashire’s very own equivalent of St Tropez.
