The UK Coach Rally 2022 returned to Blackpool over the weekend of 9 and 10 April after a three-year absence. Almost 50 vehicles were in attendance from a wide variety of operators, with those from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales represented.
After a changeable start, weather on the Saturday settled down in the afternoon with prolonged sunshine. Multiple newly-registered 22-plate coaches were in evidence, while diesel-electric hybrid power made its Rally debut in the form of an Irizar i4H integral entered by Cozy Travel of Sandy. A further first was found in the trade area, where Pelican Bus and Coach showed a battery-electric Yutong TCe12.
While much new metal was in evidence, two heritage coaches were also on show. Aldermaston Coaches presented its Volvo B10M with Plaxton Excalibur bodywork – now a very rare combination – that dates from 1993. Meanwhile, Howard Snaith entered a 1982 Ford R1114 with Plaxton Supreme body as one of its two participants; the other was a brand new Volvo B8R with Panther bodywork.
Judging and results were to follow the next day. Below is a gallery of photographs taken on the Saturday after coaches had completed the morning road run.
Click on each picture to enlarge and to scroll through the whole collection.
Williams Coaches of Brecon entered this 2019 Mercedes-Benz Tourismo, which later received lined-out lettering to its tyres.
Another Tourismo was this brand new example looking smart in Bibby’s of Ingleton livery.
As before, coaches were marshalled in front of Blackpool Tower once driving exercises were completed.
Established Coach Rally supporter Gibbons Coaches of Treharris was represented by this Van Hool T917 Astron.
Attracting much attention was this Volvo B10M with Plaxton Excalibur bodywork in the fleet of Aldermaston Coaches. It dates from September 1993.
One of two entries from Howard Snaith was a Ford R1114 with Plaxton Supreme bodywork. It dates from 1982.
One of the few latest-generation Temsa HD12 coaches in the UK is this example with Prentice Westwood of West Calder.
The diesel-electric hybrid coach made its Rally debut in 2022 in the form of this Irizar i4H integral, entered by Cozy Travel.
International fleet is this 48-seat Van Hool Astron.
Cozy Travel’s Irizar i4H integral carries suitable lettering to mark its significance.
Once the day’s work was completed the social side began. The two heritage Plaxton coaches were the source of some interest.
A long-distance traveller to the Coach Rally was Simpson’s of Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire, with its new Mercedes-Benz Tourismo.
Recently repainted by its new owner Webbs Coaches of Armscote is this 2005 Mercedes-Benz Touro.
A Redline Mercedes-Benz Tourino, a Johnson Bros Tourismo and Swann Tours’ Van Hool Alicron take in the afternoon sunshine.
Portsmouth City Coaches and Glenn Valley Tours returned to the Rally; Mayne Coaches of Warrington made its first appearance under Go Goodwins Group ownership.
The Travellers Choice marked 150 years on a Plaxton Panther-bodied Volvo; it rubs shoulders with similar examples from Howard Snaith and Mayne Coaches.
One of the stars of the show was an immaculate new Volvo 9900 for Bretherton’s Gold Line Holidays.
Sole representative of the PLCs was Go North East, with a Voyager-liveried Volvo B9R Plaxton Elite.
A rare, and highly-polished, coach from the Dorset fleet of Heathside Travel was this 10.8m Irizar i6S integral.
After a dodgy start, the weather in Blackpool righted itself for the Saturday afternoon.
