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.