15 entrants in Northern Ireland's first bus rally
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• A bomb explosion on the route of Northern Ireland's first bus and coach rally last weekend failed to stop the event being a success and another rally is planned for next year.
The bomb went off in Bangor, resulting in competitors having to miss out one part of a timed run through North Down, from Castlereagh on the outskirts of Belfast. And when they did reach Ballyholme at Bangor for manoeuvring tests and judging of vehicles, few did better than driver G. O'Prey, a Roman Catholic priest at the wheel of a 21-year-old Alexander-bodied AEC Regal IV, used as a school bus at Crossgar, Co Down. He was given .a special award for his driving skill as a non-professional and the vehicle's standard of upkeep.
Fifteen buses and coaches, including two preserved buses took part in the rally which was organized by the Irish Transport Trust. Preservationists brought another three vehicles as non-participants — the oldest a 1935 Belfast Corporation Dennis Lancet.
Judges were Mr Jack Sykes, chief instructor with the N.I. Road Transport Training Board; Mr J. P. Barratt, deputy chief of the Ministry of Home Affairs, vehicle inspection branch, and Mr W. McCollum, a member of the Transport Users Consultative Committee.
RESULTS
1st group perpetual cup {overall winner): W. Redpath illIsterbus, Leyland AtlenteaniAlexander); runner-up: Arthur R. Nixon (Ulsterbus, Bristol R E LL/Alexander).
Alexander Trophy (best vehicle in concoura d'elegancel: J. Davidson (Ulsterhus Tours, Leyland Leopard): runners-up: W. Redpath (Ulsterbus, Atlantean), F. Craig (Sureline, Ford F1192/ Plexton). Transport Trust prize for road section and manoeuvring test: W. Hamill (Sureline), and R. Nixon (Ulsterbus). Special merit: Rev. G. O'Prey (AEC Regal IV). D. Patterson (Belfast Lions Club, AEC Reliant/Harrington), R. Semple (Lough Swilly, Bristol LNLIPlaxton).