It was on April 17th, 1955, that the first Coach Rally took place in this country at Clacton-on Sea Essex. Its occurrence in that area was largely due to the interest of a local bus operator and enthusiast who had been inspired by an editorial he read in a trade magazine entitled Passenger Transport, dealing with the subject.
This had been written by John Fielder, then the technical editor of the magazine, who had read with interest the article about the success of two such rallies on the Continent, in France and Switzerland. Donald McGregor, an Essex bus owner, who was also a member of the East Anglian Motor Club, had read it. He thought the club might be interested in organising such an event and subsequently formed a committee to do so.
Clacton was chosen for the venue for the first British Coach Rally and it duly took place on April 17th, 1955, under the sponsorship of the journal, Passenger Transport. It is notable that until 1992, John Fielder has led the organisation of this event and it is largely due to his great enthusiasm and that of all his helpers that the rally has proven so successful. Rally No. 1 comprised of a road section with four starting points- Bedford, Cambridge, Norwich and London (Aldwych). In each case the distance to Clacton was 80-85 miles. With a legal speed limit at the time of just 30mph, the average speed for the road section was set at the low velocity of 22mph. This led to great congestion as vehicles running ahead of time queued bumper-to-bumper short of time controls and on arrival at Clacton. Part two of the rally comprised of driving tests, the sort now made familiar over the years, followed by the Concours d'Elegance. Eighty-two coaches took up a lot of room and require a lot of maneuvering, and this first rally taught the organisers a great deal about the timing of the event!
For the Second Rally, a great consideration was given to the venue. Clacton now seemed to be unsuitable for so many large vehicles and efforts were made to find somewhere in the Midlands so that the event could be held in a convenient center for operators from all parts of the country. Unfortunately, no venue existed where 80 or more coaches could be put through the tests and parked where the public could gather to inspect them, for that was one of the main objectives. A number of resorts would have hosted the event gladly, but only Brighton could offer suitable facilities, and the Madeira Drive, being owned by the Corporation, could be closed for the events. In 1956 the rally moved to a new home 'Brighton'. Unfortunately, in 1957 because of the Suez Crisis it was moved to Battersea Park and returned to Brighton in 1958, which remained home for the Rally and a Trade Exhibition for 31 years.
After the 34th rally at Brighton in 1988 a decision was made to look for a more open area as the trade exhibition needed more space. A new site was chosen, and in 1989 the 35th rally moved to Southampton. This unfortunately was a bad decision as the site turned out to be unsuitable and over the next three years the entrys into the rally and the exhibitors to the trade exhibition dropped rapidly. In 1992 the 38th rally returned to its traditional home Brighton under a new name, The UK COACH RALLY now organised by Coach Displays Ltd. The successful changes that have been introduced over the last 9 years is reflected in the increased number of both competitors into the rally, trade exhibitors and visitors that attended the 46th rally event in the year 2000.
Incidentally, one operator who attended at the very first rally, and who has been in every one since, is Kenzie's Coaches of Shepreth,Royston, Herts and Cyril Kenzie himself was Coach Driver of the year in both 1957 and 1969!
What were and still are the objects of the rally? Firstly, to provided an opportunity for operators, their drivers and staff, to meet in a pleasant, friendly and social atmosphere, to demonstrate their driving skills before the public. The second objective was to improve the breed. This it most certainly has done!
Finally to bring the TRADE EXHIBITORS, COACH OPERATORS & DRIVERS all together on an April weekend with everyone talking coaching, friendly competition, but doing so in a relaxed and informal atmosphere which is ideal for the promotion of coaches and coach travel, together with all the many related products and services, and most of all the public to see what you have to offer.