Classes & awards for all vehicle types
The biggest bus event in the world!Sunday September 26th 2004 EFE SHOWBUS International once again returns to the Imperial War Museum at Duxford in Cambridgeshire following on from our biggest ever and truly international 2003 event with over 425 buses and coaches, a record number of over 100 stalls and a crowd in excess of 10 000. SHOWBUS was founded in 1973, so this will be our 34th rally and the 12th at Duxford, but 2004 sees the 175th anniversary of the bus, the 120th of Leyland Motors, the centenary of Midland Red and Swindon buses, the 75th anniversary of the Omnibus Society and 50 years of the London Routemaster.
We are supported by distinguished sponsors from the bus industry, our major sponsors include Exclusive First Editions, Bus & Coach Buyer, First, TransBus International, Optare, Wallace Arnold, Motts Travel, Buses, Bus & Coach Preservation, Classic Bus, Lutonian and Red Rose. Thanks to our sponsors the event features loads of prizes for rally entrants, comprising a mixture of cash, presentation EFE models, trophies and souvenir TransBus rally plaques for all entrants. Optare are sponsoring new prizes for Optare entries at the event and there will be an Optare display as well as the usual First and TransBus ones. The favorable admission arrangements for preserved vehicles, which give access to Europe's biggest and best aircraft museum as well as the world's biggest and best bus and coach rally, and are set out overleaf. There will again be the big attraction of the enormous stallholders' market on the prime site alongside the runway with opportunities not only to buy regular EFE models amongst the diverse selection of bus paraphernalia, but also to acquire the special models associated with the rally.
The Duxford site provides unrivalled facilities for enthusiasts, exhibitors, their families and the general public and you may even see historic aircraft flying and military vehicle demonstrations. The huge display area available will be subdivided with themed displays. The major feature of this year’s event is the 50th anniversary of the Routemaster, as well as the eve of its London service life. The Routemaster Gold Run on the Sunday morning from Trumpington Park & Ride site is designed to arrive at Duxford around 1145. The Routemasters will then be escorted by Red Arrows (the LT version, not the RAF) along the taxi way to pose at the east end of the site with Concorde.
Reflecting the International nature of EFE SHOWBUS we are this year looking to welcoming enthusiasts and entrants from around the world. The SHOWBUS team will be out promoting EFE SHOWBUS International at the Amsterdam Bus Museum Open Day in the summer and, following last year’s visit from Konrad Auwärter and his team, at the Speyer event in southern Germany from April 25-27th. Details of both these events will be on our website or email for details
A popular attraction is the tours of Duxford Village. If your vehicle is suitably taxed and insured and you would like to participate in the tours, please fill in the appropriate section on the entry form. Other services include a FREE bus to Cambridge Station, a disabled access on-site shuttle bus and a service to Whittlesford Station. Access to Duxford is good. The site is situated at Junction 10 of the M11 near Cambridge. Nearby on the A505 the Ari’s Inn Hotel offers both motel accommodation and a campsite for buses (Tel 01763 208272). Please note that, because of air traffic, dogs are not allowed on the Duxford site.
Over the years, one thing stands out above all else at EFE SHOWBUS - it is a time for friends and families. A great day out, with plenty to do and see, and that opportunity to meet friends and acquaintances associated with Britain's bus industry from all over the country. 'See you at SHOWBUS' is a familiar phrase, use it and you're sure of a welcome.
EFE SHOWBUS International PRIZES
Preserved vehicles / Non Preserved vehicles / All vehicles /B Best Bristol/ECW combination
C Best AEC/Park Royal combo
L Best Leyland 120 award
M Best MetCam/Weymann/MCW
N Best NCME or Plaxton or Duple
W Best Bedford
Y Best Alexander bodied
Z Best ex LT or LCBS
6 Best bus not included in above
Top Rally Goer vehicle at Showbus 2004 having attended the most rallies in 2004
Most improved (bus must have been judged in 2003)
Best in show Shillibeer Award, Best Doyen doubledeck & singledeck / F Best post 1990 First vehicle
Best First corporate bus
A Best post 1990 Arriva bus
S Best post 1990 Stagecoach bus
K Best 2004 bus or coach
T Best New Millennium bus
U Best New Millennium coach
X Best New Millennium mini
less than 34 seat
1 Best Local authority owned bus
2 Best local operator**
3 Best small operator**
4 Best London bus #
Premier Operator Award
For the best pair of entries from the same fleet / G Pre 1950 & before
H Best 1951-59 vehicle
I 6069 doubledeck
J 6069 singledeck
7 70-79 doubledeck
P 70-79 singledeck
8 80-89 doubledeck
R 80-89 singledeck
9 90-99 doubledeck
Q 90-99 singledeck
5 Best Routemaster
O Best Open topper
V Best overseas bus resident in UK
zero Best overseas entry
D Best Transbus modern vehicle (Dennis chassis or Plaxton or Alexander)
E Best Optare
Best low floor Optare
$ Best non low floor Optare
Vehicles may enter for more than one class. The organisers will select your classes of entry.
The top scoring preserved buses will be entered into the separate DOYEN class. These vehicles will also be weighted for vehicle age and resources devoted to their preservation. On this basis, the top 25 preserved vehicles will be selected for the Doyen class, they will be eligible for the Preserved Vehicle Awards, but not the awards for all vehicles. All 25 Doyen entrants will receive special rally plaques.
Admission arrangementsThere is no separate admission charge for the bus rally. Entry to the site gives full access to the rally and all Duxford exhibits and facilities.
The person driving and up to THREE passengers on ALL BUSES entering the site will be admitted FREE of charge and no ticket will be required.
Please send your entry form early as we cannot guarantee dispatch of admission forms in time if your entry is received less than a week before the rally. Free admissions will only be valid at the far west "SHOWBUS - BUSES ONLY" gate (Gate 1) and are only valid for those on board a bus. All other bus passengers, aged 16 and over, on board display buses will pay a standard reduced admission rate of £5.50 per person, payable on the day at the far west "SHOWBUS - BUSES ONLY" gate (Gate 1) - the normal Duxford adult admission is £10, under 16s free. If you or your passengers attempt to enter the museum by other entrances, whether on board the bus or not, normal museum admission rates apply.
Other visitors and excursion buses must enter via the normal public entrance to the Museum where they will pay the normal admission.
All entrants will receive final joining information by early/mid September
All entries will be acknowledged by email, enclose an s.a.e. labelled AC if you require acknowledgement by post.
SHOWBUS Committee e-mail Phone 01494 558147 (07970 497848 mob)
Dr Martin Isles (Entries) Fax 01494 558147
Mr Dave Reid (Rally Control & judges) 6 Fair Ridge, HIGH WYCOMBE. HP11 1PL
Mr Rob Passaway (Trade stands) Mr Peter Brown (Parking Display)
Mr Charlie Nicholson (Parking Display & Duxford tours) Mr Mark Howgego (Parking Display)
SURF THE NET WITH SHOWBUS - www.showbus.com - THE EFE SHOWBUS International website updated weeklyThis contains latest news on the rally - and a list of all entrants
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