S.U.T. Again on Top
Page 42
Page 43
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
FOR the second year in succession Sheffield United Tours, Ltd., provided the best overall performance in the National Coach Rally; their vehicle was an A.E.C.-Plaxton Panorama, driven by J. Hanzock, which finished with an eight-mark lead over the runners-up. Flights Tours, Ltd., with an A.EC.Plaxton driven by F. K. Flight.
Wider support might have been expected for a gathering of this class, the entry of 43 being down on last year and all but half a dozen being drawn from Lancashire, Yorkshire or Cheshire. Admittedly, a late switch of dates was forced on the organizers by outside circumstances, but a National Coach Rally with a good prize list, and where the title of Coach Driver of the Year is to be bestowed, needs more backing from operators. On the promotors' side, a strict timetable and perhaps a tightening up of regulations would not come amiss.
Start from Wigan
Just 40 vehicles left the starting point at Wigan on Saturday morning to follow a specified 86-mile route, with checks for compliance with scheduled speeds, to Blackpool, where five driving tests were laid out on the Middle Walk of the Promenade. Unfortunately, owing to a route card error the road-section results had to be disregarded.
The first section demanded speedy starting at a given signal, the coach engine being switched off, handbrake on and the driver standing a short distance away. Next came a call for swift acceleration and braking, whilst the third test involved reversing up to a kerb. More tricky was Test IV, necessitating driving up the nearside of a rectangular island, reversing down the offside and then accelerating along the nearside to straddle a finishing line. Finally, there was a forward move into a bay, a reverse n8 out, a swing round the outside and a reverse into a second bay.
A surprising percentage of otherwise expert drivers literally dropped " clangers " when they struck nearside marker drums while reversing; among them was 1961 title-winner H. Furness. this time with a 41instead of a 14-seater. The notably good included L. Gaskell (John Monks and Sons, Ltd., BedfordPlaxton 41-seater) and G. Skerritt (A. and J. Cumberland. Bedford-Duple 29seater). A handicap system made allowance for different sizes of vehicles.
' The Final Eight
Saturday's trials brought the competitors down to a final eight for the decider on Sunday afternoon, when they had to repeat three of the earlier tests. Those who came through to this stage were: R. Barnwell (Shearings Tours (Manchester), Ltd.. Bedford-Plaxton 28-seater), J. Ilrackley (W. S. Ellison, Ltd_ BedfordDuple 41), J. T. Wareham (Cash's Coaches, Ltd., Bedford-Plaxton 41), G. Davey (Hanson's Buses, Ltd., ThamesPlaxton 41), J. Mathews (T. Unsworth and Sons (Wigan), Ltd., Bedford-Yeates 33), J. A. M. Tatlock (J. B. Tatlock and Sons, Ltd_ Bedford-Plaxton 41), J. Crook (John Monks and Sons, Ltd., A.E.C.Duple 41) and W. Grundy (Yelloway Motor Services, Ltd., A.E.C.-Harrington 45).
Sunday morning brought the glamour
aspect of the event, spectators feasting their eyes on coach tables arrayed with flowers, baskets of fruit and glassware set enticingly for refreshments.
Winner Excellent The kerb, island and double-bay layouts were used for the deciding tests. Ramwell was unlucky to hit a pylon in the first, Crook was excellent although encroaching a little on the white line, whilst Wareham was outstanding. , Tatlock also made an extremely neat showing. A.T.
RESULTS OF NATIONAL COACH RALLY
(Organized by Wigan and District Excursions and Tours Operators' Association) Overall Winner (highest aggregate marks in both classes).—Shefneld United Tours, Ltd. (A.E.C.Plaxton 36-seater; Driver, 3. Hancock) 185 marks. Runner-up, -Flights Tours, Ltd. (A.E.C.-Plaxton 36-seater; Driver, F. K. Flight) 177 marks. National Coach Driver of 1062.-3. Crook (John Monks and Sons. Ltd., A.E.0-Duple 41-seater).
Driving Awards
(a) Overall length 26 ft. or under (petrol englne).-1, R. Ramwell (Shearing's Tours [Manchester', Ltd.. Bed(ord-Plaston 28-seater); 2, , Dudley (Travis's Coaches, Trotan-Yeatcs. 13-seater).
(b) Overall length over 26 ft. (petrol engine. Vertical).-1, I. Brackley (W. S. Ellison, Ltd., Bedford-Duple 41-seater); 2, 1. T. Wareham (Cush's Coaches, Ltd., Bedford-Plaxton 41-scaler).
(c) Overall length over 26 ft. (diesel engine, vertical(.-1, G. Davey (Hanson's Bases, Ltd., Thames-Plaxton 41-seater); 2, 3. Mathews • (T. Unsworth and Sons lwigant. Ltd., Bedtord-Ycates 33-seater).
(d) Overall length over 26 ft. (diesel engine, underlloor)--1, I. Crook (John Monks and Sons. Ltd., A.E.C.-Duple 41-seater) (e) Overall length over 30 W. Gruady (5(elloway Motor Services, Ltd.. A.E.C.-Elarrington 45-seater), Trade Awards Yentes Trophy. — Premier Coaches (BedfordYeates). Seagull Trophy.—Monarch Coaches, Ltd. (ThamesBurlingham 41-stater)," Plaxton Trophy.—Sheffield United Tours, Ltd.. (A.E.C.-Ilaxton 36-seater).
Ford Trophy.-3-lanson's Buses, Ltd. (ThamesEaston 41-seater), Bedford Trophy.—Cash's Coaches. Ltd. (Bedford-. Plaston 41-seater).
Barrington Trophy.—Yelloway Motor Services. Ltd. (A.E.C.-Harringion 45-seater).
Rcdex Trophy (best diesel performance).— Sheffield United Tours, Ltd. (A.E.C.-Plaxtrm 36-seater).
Taylors (P-S-Y.) (Gloucester), Ltd. (best Ford on Satuiday Tests).—Hanson's Buses, Ltd. (Thames-Pittston 41-seater), Concours d'E:egarice (a) Up to 26 fl.—Bloollthe'd's Coaches (BedfordPlaxIon 22-seater), (h) Up to 37 seats, vertical engine.— E. J. Enstock and Sons (ledford-Ycates 37-stater).
re) Up to 37 seats, underfloor engine.—Sheffield fin:led Tours, Ltd. (A.E.C.-Plaxton 36-seater).
(d) Over 37 seats, vertical engine.— Hanson's Ruses, Ltd. (Thames-Plaxton 41-seater).
(e) Over 37 seats, underfloor ennlne.—Ribblesdale Coachways. Ltd. (A.E.0 ,Plaston 45-seater).
If/ Special touring coaches.—Flight's Tours, Ltd. (A.E.C.-Plavon 39-seater).
(g) Secondhand roaches.—Stanley Gath (BedfordPlaxton 41-seater).