DG100 Rally and Running Day at Newton Abbot Racecourse – 4th August 2019

August 7th, 2019 by Paul Jenkins

Posted in Events

Our setpiece event of the Devon General centenary year was the Rally and Running Day held at Newton Abbot Racecourse.

Some 60 vehicles were in attendance including, we believe, the largest gathering of former DG buses in many years. Click here for a full list of those that attended.

Our friends at Stagecoach South West had greatly assisted us by promoting the event in advance and this, together with our own publicity ensured a very healthy turnout with literally thousands of people visiting the site between 10am and 4pm.

The spaces in front of the racecourse buildings were divided into two main parking areas with static displays in one and buses on layover between services in the other. This ensured ample photographic opportunities whilst allowing reasonably free transit on and off the site for buses operating the free services to Newton Abbot Railway Station, Teignmouth (open top), Chudleigh, Bovey Tracey and Ipplepen. These vehicles ran consistently full throughout the day and duplicates were provided to cope with passenger numbers.

To one side of the main display area were the stallholders offering a range of bus-related items including models, photographs and other collectables. Our own DGS Sales Stand was also busy all day.

The Exhibition Buses provided by Stagecoach South West and the West Country Historic Omnibus & Transport Trust completed the main display area.

A great day was had by all. The DG100 committee would particularly like to thank the owners and crews of the Devon General vehicles whose participation enabled us to hold the event, and the DGS members who volunteered as helpers. The great support we had as well from the owners and crews of buses from other fleets really added to the variety of vehicles present.

Here are a few photos from the day, with thanks to Dave Godley, Kameron Allen, Steve Hardiman and Ray Parnaby. Click on any image to start a slideshow: