2016 UK Coach Rally

Johnson Brothers BJ16KYY, a Mercedes-Benz Tourismo, parked in the line-up on Middle Walk

The 62nd annual UK Coach Rally was held in Blackpool over the weekend of the 23rd & 24th April, with the maximum number of fifty coaches being entered. Since the first event took place at Clacton in 1955, the UK Coach Rally has acted as a showcase for coaching and coaching people. The 2016 rally began on the Saturday, with a road run commencing from Middle Walk in Blackpool at 0800 and returning there about two hours later. The next item on the agenda consisted of individual driving tests for each of the 50 entrants, this taking place on the lower promenade below the Metropole Hotel, close to the North Pier. After the drivers had completed their driving tests each coach then made its way to the Tower Headland to be parked up for display with the rest of the entrants.

Weardale's Van Hool Astromega waiting on the ramp, while their Irizar i6 is taking the driving test below

Parrys International OU15ZWP, a Neoplan Starliner 2, which won the Coach of the Year trophy

Cooper's Tourmaster Travel B11CTT, a Volvo B11R with Plaxton Panther 3 bodywork

Webbs Coaches JUE860, a 1950 Bedford OB with Duple Vista bodywork

Bretherton's Gold Line Tours JB16GLT, a Volvo B11R with Volvo 9700 bodywork

Galleon Travel of Harlow YK15OKA, a 2015 14m VDL SBR-4000 with a Synergy 86 seater body

Bibby's PB16BYS, a Van Hool bodied DAF. Bibby's won the Highest Placed Coach Operator award

Galleon Travel of Harlow YN15YTP, an integrally built Irizar i6 coach

Holmeswood Coaches HC15HWC, a MAN RR4 with Carrozzeria Barbi Galileo HDH bodywork

Megabus 55022 (YX16NWV), a 15 metre long Volvo B11R with Plaxton Elite i bodywork, new in 2016