The UK Coach Rally is a busman's holiday - and woman's too. It is essentially a trade event which takes place over a weekend in April. But for the onlooker there's still lots to see, and you don't have to be a bus nerd to enjoy it. At all times of the year you'll find coaches parked at the far end of the Drive which is the principal parking zone for touring coaches. At the Rally, however, you can expect to find some of the most flash coaches around on the market. The Rally is an event where companies, in association with coach builders such as Volvo and Plaxton, come to show off the latest additions to their fleets. There is also a section for classic coaches. I'm not quite sure of the definitions they're using, but there are older coaches on display, obviously in service, and in extremely good condition.

Adding a bit of tension and excitement to the event is the Coach Driver of the Year competition. Drivers have to manoeuver their vehicles round a very tight course marked out by road cones, and stewards stand at each critical point ready to measure the driver's performance. The heats are on saturday and the finals on Sunday.

Around 80 companies take part, and there is a Gala Dinner Dance on the Saturday evening.

2010 Event: The 56th UK Coach Rally is on 17th - 18th April

and will be held in Peterborough

UK Coach Rally Photo Galleries