The Final The Blackpool Final | Timetable of Events   Timetable of Events   Most teams arrive during the Saturday afternoon in readiness for the Gala Dinner at the hotel in the evening. The aim of this dinner is to bring together all the competing teams in a relaxed, friendly gathering before the serious business starts on the Sunday morning. As part of the dinner, the Clerk of the Course gives a detailed briefing for the competitors on the course they will encounter on the Sunday morning. All competitors are encouraged to attend the dinner for the purpose of the briefing, even if not staying at the Hilton Hotel, as the briefing is an integral part of the drivers' preparation for the Sunday final. Any company which does not arrange for its competitors to attend this dinner is putting them at a distinct disadvantage.   The BDoY team sets out the driving test course early on the Sunday morning, and all teams are welcome to walk around the course to digest details learnt from the previous evening's briefing and to decide on strategy.   On the Sunday morning, the driving tests normally start at 0930 hours on Princess Parade next to the Metropole Hotel. Drivers are deemed to be working for the Middle Walk Bus Company and are subject to that company's rules of conduct. Companies will receive a copy of these rules. Drivers must book on at a set time, showing their licence (signed, of course!!) and will then be allocated a vehicle. Buses are kindly loaned by competing companies and local operators.   Any operator who travels to Blackpool in one of his own vehicles is most welcome to lend it for use in the competition.   The driving test simulates a vehicle's normal service run, with everyday hazards including crossing the tram-tracks, together with positioning tests, which vary year by year. Drivers will be required to stop with precision at a number of bus stops where their accuracy is measured. Observers may be positioned around the course to assess drivers' positioning, signaling etc. The test normally takes about 20 minutes. The buses will carry passengers (but no fares are collected!!) as the competition vehicles may be used by the teams and their friends and families to travel between the hotel, where the other tests take place, to and from the starting point for the driving tests.   The tests usually finish by about 1300 hours, giving the teams a break for lunch while the results are compiled prior to the awards presentation at the hotel. Each year, a guest who is connected with the industry presents the prizes. Previous guests include Professor David Begg, Veronica Palmer, former Director General of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, Russell Richardson, Managing Director of Optare, Pauline Clare, Chief Constable of Lancashire, Bill Morris of the TGWU and Beverley Bell, North West Traffic Commissioner.     ©2003-2008 UK Bus Driver of the Year Association Ltd. Registered in England, No. 2159826. Registered office: 'Melrose', Tattenhall Road, Tattenhall, Chester. CH3 9QH. Design by Insomniac.