Sleaford operator A&P Travel and Bibby’s of Ingleton driver Daryl Dixon claimed the two big trophies at the 2023 UK Coach Rally on 1-2 April in Blackpool, forming part of a winners’ list that includes established names and more than one new entry.
A&P Travel took home the prestigious Coach of the Year trophy for its 2022 Van Hool TX16 Acron, repeating the triumph of 2018 when it claimed the same silverware for an older example of the same model.
The tri-axle went back to Lincolnshire with four more trophies: Top Touring/Express Luxury Coach; the John Fielder Memorial Trophy for top coach from a fleet of up to five vehicles; the Peter Rogers Shield for top Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) member; and the UK Coach Operators Association (UKCOA) Martin Cornell Trophy for highest placed UKCOA member in all classes.
Meanwhile, Mr Dixon again claimed the Coach Driver of the Year accolade, having first won it in 2010. He led a perfect one-two from Bibby’s in the driving categories, with Director Chris Bibby taking the West Middlesex Coach Operators Association Trophy for runner-up to Coach Driver of the Year. Mr Dixon and Mr Bibby each entered Van Hool TX15 Alicron models.
Upbeat atmosphere despite smaller field in 2023
Trophies were presented by Traffic Commissioner for the West of England Kevin Rooney and Blackpool Transport Managing Director Jane Cole. Although the field of entries at 31 was smaller than in some previous years, the Rally concluded with some glorious weather, and a number of participants from both operators and trade exhibitors noted that an upbeat atmosphere was in evidence.
As previously, driving heats were completed on the Saturday before both finals and the Directors’ challenge were undertaken the following day. A slight modification was made to this year’s course, while former judge and long-term London bus manager Brian Constable made the switch to the commentary booth for 2023.
Entries extended in age terms from a 1989 Volvo B10M Jonckheere Deauville to multiple 23-plate recent deliveries. The former was the first coach new to Go Goodwins of Manchester and which very recently completed a multi-year, six-figure restoration to as-new condition. It claimed the Rita Dalzell Trophy for top coach aged over 25 years.
Other operators winning prominent silverware included Cumbria-based Metcalfe Coaches, which took away the Alan Goodwin Trophy for highest placed coach operator in all classes for its Van Hool T915. Notably, the two-axle coach has been upseated to 70 in a 3+2 layout and is PSVAR compliant, all while retaining a rear floor-level toilet.
Coach Rally welcomes some new winners in 2023
Mini Driver of the Year was David Hamilton of Heathside Travel, who entered in a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with coachbuilt EVM Grand Tourer bodywork. Mr Hamilton was also recognised with the Maurice Wrightson Memorial Shield for oldest employed Rally participant, while the Grand Tourer returned to Dorset as Top Mini/Midi.
Midi Driver of the Year was Wesley Goodwin, who entered an Iveco Daily with Ilesbus I-City Max bodywork from Go Goodwins subsidiary Mayne Coaches.
The Peter Bostock Trophy for highest placed driver in the Saturday tests went to Christopher Shaw in a Mercedes-Benz Tourismo Access of Dews Coaches; that vehicle also took home the Mercedes-Benz Trophy and the Boon’s Award for best coordinated décor.
Putting in a strong showing was Rally newcomer South Staffs Coach Hire. As a first-time entrant, it submitted a brand new Temsa HD12. The coach is one of three that will join the fleet as it makes a major investment to satisfy Euro VI and PSVAR, and it returned from livery application only days before making the trip to Blackpool.
Heading back to Tamworth with the HD12 were the Cyril Kenzie Memorial Trophy for highest placed first-time coach entrant; the Top Standard Coach silverware; and the Temsa Trophy.
Country-specific silverware saw Prentice Westwood’s Mercedes-Benz Tourismo recognised with the Tony Roose Trophy as top coach from Scotland. The Cymru Trophy for top coach from Wales went to Williams Coaches for its nearly-new Neoplan Tourliner P22, while the Gwynn Williams Trophy for highest placed coach in all classes from Wales was claimed by DJ Thomas Coaches for a Volvo 9700.
Sun shines on trade exhibitors at Rally
Meanwhile, trade exhibitors reported interest through the duration of the Rally. Scania showed the first example of its Scania Irizar i6S Efficient Treinta special edition that celebrates 30 years of the OEMs’ partnership in the UK, while Temsa Sales UK displayed the first 13m HD13 for the UK. Ilesbus UK showed an I-City Max with rear-view cameras.
Other manufacturers and dealers present noted that ongoing demand for new vehicles is solid, giving rise to optimism for both this year and into 2024. Represented were BASE Coach Sales, EVM, EvoBus (UK), Jones Coach and Bus Sales and Brian Noone, MAN Truck and Bus, Parksafe Automotive, Pelican Bus and Coach, Plaxton, RHA, and Volvo Bus UK and Ireland.
The dates for 2024’s Rally have not yet been set, but organiser Coach Displays says that it is likely to be pushed further into April in a bid to avoid particularly busy times for operator entrants.
UK Coach Rally 2023: The winners’ list
A picture of each winner’s presentation can be found beneath the following list.
Trophies and Awards
Coach of the Year: A&P Travel, Van Hool TX16 Acron
Coach Driver of the Year: Daryl Dixon, Bibby’s of Ingleton
Mini Driver of the Year: David Hamilton, Heathside Travel
Midi Driver of the Year: Wesley Goodwin, Go Goodwins
Alan Goodwin Trophy – highest placed coach operator in all classes: Metcalfe Coaches
Top Team on the road: Howard Snaith Coaches
West Middlesex Coach Operators Association Trophy – runner up to Coach Driver of the Year: Chris Bibby, Bibby’s of Ingleton
Peter Bostock Trophy – highest placed driver in Saturday tests: Christopher Shaw, Dews Coaches
Directors’ Challenge: Paul Winson Jr, Paul S Winson Coaches.
Concours d’Elegance
Top Mini/Midi: Heathside Travel, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter EVM Grand Tourer
Top Standard Coach: South Staffs Coach Hire, Temsa HD12
Top Touring/Express Luxury Coach: A&P Travel, Van Hool TX16 Acron
Top Executive Coach: Coachpoint, Setra S415HD
Top Coach aged five years or older: Stanley Travel, Neoplan Starliner
Rita Dalziel Trophy – top coach aged 25 years or older: Go Goodwins, Volvo B10M Jonckheere Deauville
John Fielder Memorial Trophy – top coach from a small fleet of up to five vehicles: A&P Travel, Van Hool TX16 Acron.
Special Awards
Smartest uniformed driver and/or courier: Marshalls of Sutton-on-Trent
Boon’s Award – best co-ordinated décor: Dews Coaches, Mercedes-Benz Tourismo
Peter Rogers Shield – top CPT member: A&P Travel, Van Hool TX16 Acron
Cymru Trophy – top coach from Wales: Williams Coaches, Neoplan Tourliner P22
Tony Roose Trophy – top coach from Scotland: Prentice Westwood, Mercedes-Benz Tourismo
Fred Bibby Award – best loved coach: Robinsons Holidays, Volvo B12B Jonckheere Mistral
UKCOA Martin Cornell Trophy – highest placed UKCOA member: A&P Travel
Maurice Wrightson Memorial Shield – oldest employed participant: David Hamilton, Heathside Travel
Bernie Porton Memorial Trophy – coach of the year as voted for by coach drivers: Brethertons Gold Line Tours Volvo 9900
Gwynn Williams Trophy – highest placed in all classes from Wales: DJ Thomas Coaches, Volvo 9700
Cyril Kenzie Memorial Trophy – highest placed first-time coach entrant: South Staffs Coach Hire Temsa HD12.
Concours d’elegance
Kassbohrer Trophy: Coachpoint, Setra S415HD
Irizar Trophy: Blakes Coaches, Irizar i6S integral
Mercedes-Benz Trophy: Dews Coaches, Mercedes-Benz Tourismo
Neoplan Trophy: Stanley Travel, Neoplan Starliner
Plaxton Trophy: Coopers Tours, Volvo B11R Plaxton Panther
Temsa Trophy: South Staffs Coach Hire, Temsa HD12
Top Jonckheere: Robinsons Holidays, Volvo B12B Jonckheere Mistral
Top MOBIpeople: Holmeswood Coaches, MAN TGL MOBIpeople Midi Explorer
Top Yutong: PC Coaches, Yutong GT12
VDL Trophy: Marshalls of Sutton-on-Trent, VDL Futura FHD2
Volvo Trophy: Brethertons Gold Line Tours, Volvo 9900.
Click on any of the following pictures to enlarge, or to scroll through the whole gallery:
