Sheffield United Again
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Overall Winner at Blackpool National Coach Rally
ANOTHER rally success came the way of Sheffield United Tours, Ltd., at Blackpool on April 8-9, when their 1960 A.E.C. with Plaxton bodywork, driven by A. Carr, won the Blackpool Challenge Trophy for the highest aggregate marks in both classes with 48 points.
It was a close battle with another regular rally attender, Flight's Tours, Ltd., Birmingham, whose 1961 A.E.C. with Harrington bodywork, driven by Ken Flight, gained 47 points.
National Winner
National Coach Driver of 1961 was Howard Furness •who, driving a Bedford 14-seater, had the fastest time in all the tests.
Although there was some sign-post confusion at Wigan, competitors in the road section all left on time and arrived at Blackpool without mishap.
Of the 53 entrants who took part, 51 ,competed in the driving tests, in which the standard was high. The parking test proved the only one of the five to present any difficulty to the majority. Marshalling was excellent and the eliminating tests on the Saturday were completed in 21.hours.
Second Judging
The Concours d'Elegance on Sunday morning was marred by the weather, but so keen was the competition that after eliminating 35 of the 53 entrants, the judges held a second inspection before giving a decision.
The finals of the driving tests on Sunday afternoon were a personal triumph for Mr. Howard Furness, who became Coach Ertiver of the Year at his first rally attempt. He has been with his company for 15 years.
There was considerable criticism from the finalists in the driving section concerning the handicapping, the general opinion being that the heavier c14
vehicles were at a disadvantage. The winner was the only 14-seater competing. It was agreed that on the whole the organizers had done an excellent job, but one suggestion put forward for improvement was a longer and more arduous road test, possibly starting in
Derbyshire and then moving North.
Those taking part were entertained by the Ford Motor Co., Ltd., at a cocktail party on Saturday evening, followed by a reception given by the Mayor of Blackpool, Alderman T. B. Fairclough, J.P., who congratulated the Wigan and District Excursion and
Tour Operators' Association on their enterprise in organizing the first National Coach Rally.
Although there was a lack of competition from the south, the majority of the entrants being from Yorkshire, Lancashire. Cheshire and the Midlands, the Rally got off to a good start and it is understood there are possibilities of international development.
Easily the most successful competitor was Mr. Ken Flight, of Flight's Tours, Ltd., who, driving one of the company's 1961 A.E.C.s, was runnerup to the overall winner, Sheffield United Tours, Ltd.; third in the overall driving tests and winner of class D for vehicles over 26 ft. with a diesel underfloor engine; he was also awarded the Harrington Trophy for the vehicles obtaining the highest aggregate marks mounted with the appropriate body. Mr. Flight is a wellknown rally driver and was among the prizewinners at Brighton last year.