NATIONAL COACH RALLY
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Triumph for youngest competitor
'HE 11th annual National Coach Rally, rganized by Wigan and District Excursion nd Tours Operators' Association at llackpool last Saturday and Sunday, ttracted an entry of 50 coaches, Superbly pholstered. immaculately turned out and zorth more than £300,000 in hard cash, the chicks made an impressive showing.
Despite a blustery weekend, the Rally ucc ceded in attracting one of the largest rowds in its history. The proceedings legan in Wigan at 9 am on Saturday for the oad section test which covered a twisting :0-mile route to Blackpool. It ended with he presentation of more than 30 silver rophies along with cash awards on Sunday ,t 5 pm.
The 1971 champion is 26-year-old lintony John Morris, who won at only his econd attempt at the Blackpool Rally; he vas also the youngest competitor and has held a psv licence for just five years. Mr vlorris drove a Duple-bodied Ford 15-seater entered by Warburton Bros (Bury) ...td. The 1969 and 1970 champion. Sydney . Rose, of Clarabell Coaches of Aston, 3irmingham, failed to reach the final to nake it a hat-trick. One unfortunate finalist knocked over three drums in reversing and spoiled his championship chances. Apparently, from the corner of his eye he had spotted two spectators stepping onto the Promenade test area and rather than take any chances of an accident he sacrificed his chances.
Winner of the Concours d'elegance and the title of the National Coach of 1971 was a 32-seater, 37ft Ford Duple entered by Fred Winkle. Dilston Lane, Willenhall. The winner of the ladies' section was Mrs Desha Bunce in a Bedford-chassied Moseley Continental 45-seater owned by Grayline Luxury Coaches Ltd, of London Road, Bic e ster.
Despite this year's improved organization, which was highlighted by the rally's early finish and the trouble-free presentation of awards. many drivers and operators still had minor criticisms and suggestions to make.
For instance, Mr Peter Bostock. a finalist and driving award winner who drove a Plaxton-bodied Bedford 52-seater for E. J. Bostock and Sons, suggested that the Rally could be run on similar lines to Brighton's, with more coaches going. through the driving test at the same time. "This would speed things up and save drivers a lot of wasted time," be said.
Another driver with a suggestion to make was Mr Dennis Bradford who, although recorded as fourth in the preliminary tests, was not eligible to compete in the finals as the 25ft Duple-bodied Bedford coach he drove was below the required size. "I would like to see a separate class with a separate award for the various types of coaches", said Mr Bradford, "That way a handicap system could be introduced which would enable all drivers, regardless of the type of vehicle, to compete for the driver of the year award.
Several entrants, especially those from outside Lancashire, complained that the organizers had not given them enough advanced information on the road-test section. This view was summed up by a driver for Harris Supercoaches, of Bromsgrove. Mr Trevor Ellis, when he said: "As a first-timer at the rally I expected the road checks to be where I had been told they would be—not two miles down the road as was sometimes the case.
"I think the secret checks are a good idea though". he added.
Mr Alec Best, of Best and Sons Ltd, Ealing, also criticized this part of the rally and suggested that a new system should be introduced with less accent on road tests. "After all.he said, "a bad navigator can put you out of the running."
Another point on which drivers and operators alike felt strongly concerned the entry of new vehicles in the Concours d'elegance.
One such driver was Mr Peter Hicks whose 40-seater Plaxton-bodied Ford was recorded award winner of its class of the Concours d'elegance. Said Mr Hicks: "Coaches which are in regular service do not have the same chance in the Concours d'elegance as certain vehicles here today which have been entered under trade plates and had never carried passengers."
On the whole, however, most drivers agreed that the event was much better than those of previous years.
The new National Coach Driver of 1971, Mr Tony Morris, said before the finals that he had enjoyed the Rally and was confident he would fare well in the remaining driving tests.
Unlike other drivers, Mr Morris did not think that regular competitors had the edge over newcomers who were not familiar with the routes or the layout of the driving tests. "This is only my second attempt," he said, "and last year I was also placed in the six' finalists."
Results of National Coach Rally
National Coach of 1971: Fred Winkle, Wilienhall, Duple on Ford chassis. 32-seater (driver, Wilfred Smith), Runner-up: Atalanta Travel, Blackpool, Plaxton on Ford chassis, 34-seater (driver, Geoffrey Frost). National Coach Driver of 1971: A. J. Morris, Warburton Bros (Bury) Ltd, Ford/Duple, 45-seater.
Driving awards
Coaches over 16ft but not exceeding 29ft overall length: 1. N. Danson, (Denson Hire. Bedford/ Duple 29-seater): 2, D. R. Bradford, (Harry Brown and Sons (Birmingham) Ltd, Bedford/Duple 25seater).
Coaches 29ft-34ft overall: 1. A. J. Morris, (Warburton Bros (Bury) Ltd, Ford/Duple 45-seater): 2, T. M. Rees (Hill's Tredegar Ltd. Bedford/Duple 45-seater).
Coaches 34ft-38ft overall: 1, W. P. Bostock (E. J. Bostock and Sons, Bedford/Plaxton 52-seater); 2, W. Rostron, ;T. Unsworth and Sons (Wigan) Ltd. Ford/Duple 53-seater). Coaches exceeding 38ft overall; 1. B. Best, (Best and Sons Ltd, AEC/Plaxton 50-seater). 2. no award. Second-hand vehicle: 1. G. Jackson, (Clark's Coaches, Leyland/Plaxton 49-seater); 2, S. D. Belton, (Stanley Derek Bolton, Commer/Duple 41-seater).
Ladies' award: Mrs Desha Bunce. (Grayline Luxury Coaches Ltd, Bedford/Moseley Continental 45
seater). Concours d'elegance
Coaches not exceeding 18ft overall length: No entries.
Coaches not exceeding 29ft overall: Schofields Coaches Ltd (Bedford/Plaxton 29-seater).
Coaches not exceeding 34ft overall: Jackson's Motor Tours (Ford/Plaxton 41-seater).
Coaches not exceeding 38ft overall: P. F. Hicks (Ford/Plaxton 40-seater).
Coaches over 38ft: Best and Sons Coaches Ltd, (AEC/Plaxton 50-seater).
Special touring coaches, any length: Fred Winkle (Ford/Duple 32-seater). .
Second-hand vehicles: Stanley Derek Bolton (Com mer/Duole 41 'seater).