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Trying conditions test drivers in Blackpool Rally '75
Page 24
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LAST YEAR it was the fuel crisis, this year it was the weather which threw everything it had at contestants entered in the 15th National Coach Rally, held at Blackpool last weekend. Rain, sleet and finally fog settled in to blanket the Concours d'Elegance and final driving tests on the Sunday.
However, despite the weather and slippery road surface, which produced some spectacular moments for competitors in the event, six drivers came through from the previous day to battle for top honours. Mr A. Baines, driving a Plaxton-bodied Ford, owned by J. T. Waites Coaches Ltd, of Altrincham, Cheshire, started the afternoon run-off in third place with 186.8 penalty points but later emerged victorious as National Coach Driver of the year for 1975.
Entry No 30, an AEC chassis with Duple Dominant coach work, built at a reputed cost of £30,000, carried off the title of National Coach of the Year 1975. The coach is owned by Ruxley Coaches of Tolworth, Surrey, and immediately left Blackpool for Monaco, where it will be competing in the international rally there (full report in CM next week). The coach should be back in the UK next week in time for the British coach rally at Brighton.
National coach of 1975: Ruxley Coaches, Tolworth, Surrey; Duple/ AEC, 32-seater (driver V. Samson). Runner-up, National Travel (North East) Ltd, of Liversedge, Yorkshire ; Duple/Bedford, 53seater.
National Coach Driver of 1975: A. Baines, 3, T. Waites Coaches Ltd, Altrincham, Cheshire ; Plaxton/ Ford, 41-seater.
Driving awards : A (Minicoaches); T. Williams (Thomas Williams Ashton-underLyne) ; Ford/Deansgate, 12-seater.
B (Coaches exceeding 16ft but not exceeding 291t overall length): J. Selkirk (More-Dale Coaches, Newcastle upon Tyne); Bedford/ Plaxton, 29-seater.
C (Coaches exceeding 291t but not exceeding 34ft overall length): A. Baines (J. T. Waites Coaches Ltd, Altrincham, Cheshire) ; Ford/ Plaxton, 41-seater.
D (Coaches exceeding 34ft but not exceeding 38ft overall length): A. Morris (J. B. Tatlock & Sons Ltd, Radcliffe, Lancs); Leyland/Plaxton, 53-seater.
E (Coaches exceeding 38ft overall length) ; K. R. Stone •(JaIna Coache;, Church Gresley, Staffs); Volvo/Plaxton, 57-seater.
Ladies' driving award: Mrs. F. Duckworth (Freda Duckworth, Gisburn, Clitheroe, Lanes); Bedford/Duple, 29-seater.
Concours d'Elegance A (Minicoaches): Newsone's Coaches, Shaston, Barnsley, Yorks ; Ford / Deansgate, 12seater.
B (Coaches not exceeding 181t overall length); no entries.
C (Coaches not exceeding 29ft overall length) : More-Dale Coaches, Newcastle upon Tyne; Bedford/Plaxton, 29-seater, D (Coaches not exceeding 34ft overall length): E. J. Bostock & Sans, Congleton, Cheshire ; Bedford/Plaxton, 45-seater, E (Coaches not exceeding 38ft overall length): National Travel (North East) Ltd, Liversedge, York ; Bedford/Duple, 53-seater, F (Coaches over 381t overall length): Jalna Coaches, Church Gresley, Staffs ; Volvo/Plaxton, 57-seater.
G (Special touring coaches any length): Ruxley Coaches, Tolworth, Surrey: AEC/Duple, 32seater.