UK Coach Rally 2017

For the first time since 2010, a new name will be added to the UK Coach Rally – Coach of the Year Trophy as the MAN based Beulas Mythos entered by Blakes Coaches of Tiverton took the top Concours d’Elegance award.

The Devon based company has been a regular participant in the rally since its later years in Brighton, often being amongst the manufacturer trophy winners. In addition to the top award, the Mythos also received the Beulas Trophy for the best Beulas supplied by Moseley and the Peter Rogers Shield for the top CPT member whilst the company’s second entry, an Irizar i6 was the recipient of the Irizar Trophy.

Speaking after the company’s success, Director, Janet Blake said, ‘We are absolutely over the moon to have won Coach of the Year at this year’s rally, it was a wonderful surprise as we never expected to win it. We couldn’t have done it without the hard work of the team and we are privileged to have the wonderful support from our industry friends.’

‘We have been entering the rally for eleven years and sometimes come home empty handed, this year we took home five trophies, but Coach of the Year was the icing on the cake. Many thanks to Paul and Ann on another fantastic event.’

In contrast, the UK Coach Rally – Coach Driver of the Year Trophy was won by Chris Bibby from Bibby’s of Ingleton, his third success having previously taken the award in 2006 and 2008. The challenging roads of the Yorkshire Dales must be a good practice ground as the runner up and recipient of the West Middlesex Coach Operators Association Trophy was Daryl Dixon, also from Bibby’s and a previous winner in 2010.

In the four main Concours d’Elegance classes, both the Top Mini and Midi (York Pullman) and Top Touring/Express Luxury (Damory) were Plaxton products whilst the Top Standard Coach (Banstead Coaches) was from Mercedes-Benz and the Top Executive Coach (Go Goodwins) was a Moseley supplied Van Hool.

Successful format

2017’s rally maintained the successful format of the first event in Blackpool with a few improvements based on experience from the latter.

Early on the Saturday morning, a full house of 55 entrants gathered on a sunny Middle Walk below the Promenade for a prompt 0800 start on the road run. The bright conditions didn’t last unfortunately and it was quite cloudy by the time the first coaches arrived back about 90 minutes later. It remained cool, dry and grey for the rest of the day, ideal conditions for the driving tests in the main arena with little glare from the adjacent high tide. On completion of the tests and in a masterpiece of logistics, all 55 entrants were safely guided along the Promenade to park in an orderly fashion around Blackpool’s Comedy Carpet. There was a steady stream of visitors viewing the events at both locations with the trade display ideally situated between the two alongside the Metropole Hotel. In the evening, many entrants and visitors enjoyed what was described as a very enjoyable Dinner Dance in the exquisite surroundings of the Tower Ballroom.

Sunday morning dawned clear and sunny, conditions which would be enjoyed all day. In a change to previous years, Concours d’Elegance judging took place in the main arena, groups of six coaches at a time being shuttled to and from the Comedy Carpet. After initial delays whilst the challenges presented by the closure of the main Promenade for a ‘fun run’ were overcome, judging proceeded smoothly and was completed before the driving test finals started. With a more defined time for judging, the new procedure was in general welcomed by entrants.

Driving tests were concluded with the Directors’ Challenge where Paul B Winson was successful for the second year running although he undertook the test in the i6 entered by Blakes Coaches as his own entry was in the midi class. Everyone then adjourned to the Comedy Carpet where Traffic Commissioner for the North East of England, Kevin Rooney, presented the vast array of silverware to winners in the various classes, culminated in the award of Coach of the Year to Blakes Coaches. Due to space limitations and safety considerations, it was not possible to bring vehicles forward for the main awards although the traditional garland was subsequently attached to the Blakes vehicle.

With ideal weather conditions on the Sunday, the 63rd UK Coach rally was a great advertisement for all that is best in the UK Coach Industry. For the event organisers, Coach Displays Ltd, Director, Ann Cousins, reported a high level of satisfaction from all involved, ‘Facebook is absolutely buzzing with positive feedback and 25 coaches are already booked in for next year’s event, the date for which we should be confirming shortly!’

Please see the highlighted table for a full list of winners and visit the Bus and Coach Buyer website for more images of the entrants and the awards ceremony.

Trophies and Awards

Coach Driver of the Year:     Chris Bibby, Bibby’s of Ingleton Ltd
Coach of the Year:     MAN Beulas Mythos, Blakes Coaches
Midi Driver of the Year:     Joe Hall, Lakeside Coaches Ltd
Mini Driver of the Year:     Richard Webb, Webbs Coaches
Alan Goodwin Trophy
(Highest placed coach operator in all classes):     Bibby’s of Ingleton Ltd
Peter Bostock Trophy
Highest placed driver, Saturday tests:     Paul B Winson, Paul S Winson (Coaches) Ltd
Top Team of the Year:     Haines Minicoaches
West Middlesex Coach Operators Assoc Trophy:
(Runner up Coach Driver of the Year    Daryl Dixon, Bibby’s of Ingleton Ltd

Concours D’Elegance Awards

Top Mini/Midi:     York Pullman
Top Standard Coach:     Banstead Coaches Ltd
Top Touring/Express Luxury Coach    Damory
Top Coach aged five years or older:     York Pullman
Trophy for Top Executive Coach:     Go Goodwins
Rita Dalziel Trophy
Top coach aged 25 years or older:     Bradshaws Travel
John Fielder Memorial Trophy
Top coach, small fleet up to five vehicles:     Gibbons Coach Holidays

Concours d’elegance manufacturer awards

Scania (GB) (Top Scania):     Coopers Tours
Neoplan (Top Neoplan):     Buckleys Coach Holidays
Plaxton (Top Plaxton):     Damory
Beulas: (Top Moseley Beulas)    Blakes Coaches
Van Hool (Top Van Hool):     Redfern Travel
Irizar (Best Irizar Integral):     Blakes Coaches
VDL (Top Moseley VDL):     Elcock Reisen
Bova (Top Moseley Bova):    Jay and Kay Coach Tours
Volvo (Top Volvo Buses coach):    DJ Thomas Coaches
Sitcar (Top Moseley Sitcar):     Haines Minicoaches
Jonckheere (Top Jonckheere):    Perry’s Coaches
Yutong (Top Yutong):    Brethertons Gold Line Tours
Mercedes-Benz    Marshalls of Sutton on Trent Ltd
MobiPeople    Festival Travel

Special awards

Boon’s Award (Best Coordinated décor):     Go Goodwins
Peter Rogers (Top CPT Member):     Blakes Coaches
Cymru (Top coach from Wales):     DJ Thomas Coaches
Tony Roose (Top coach from Scotland):     Moffat & Williamson Ltd
The Fred Bibby Award (Best loved coach):     Swann Tours
LTCOA Martin Cornell
(Highest placed LTCOA in all classes):     Coopers Tours
Maurice Wrightson Memorial Shield – sponsored by drivers from Stanley Travel
(Oldest employed driver participating):     David Ketley, Galleon Travel
Smartest uniformed driver &/or courier:     Parrys International Tours Ltd
Directors Challenge    Paul B Winson, Paul S Winson (Coaches) Ltd
The Bernie Porton Memorial Trophy – sponsored by CDN&S (Coach of the Year as
voted by the Coach Drivers):     Swann Tours