ALAN MILLAR reports from Blackpool where 47 coaches and their drivers competed in for this year’s top trophies and accolades, and some of the most recently launched new models were on show

Coach of the Year was OO16 APT, A&P Travel’s Paccar/DAF-powered Van Hool TX16 Acron 49-seater.

Sole double-decker entered this year was Tyrers’ TYR 3R, a newly delivered 13.1m Van Hool TDX25 Astromega 81-seater. KEITH McGILLIVRAY
Now settled into its third year on Blackpool seafront, the UK Coach Rally — celebrating the best vehicles and drivers on the road — feels not only that it belongs there but that it might never have been anywhere else.