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Big Bang Camper & Bus Show 2013
Friday 26th to Sunday 28th April

Read the report below and view more photos on the 2013 Gallery page.

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Big Bang Camper & Bus Show 2013 Report

The Big Bang Camper and Bus Show was well and truly back on track (quite literally) in 2013 with a weekend full of action and fun. Gates opened early on Friday morning which saw a steady stream of VW’s of all shapes and sizes arriving all day long. The track opened sporadically due to the Great British weather system but saw some excellent VAG and race vehicles take advantage of the RWYB session and make the most of their day. The Garden Games was a new attraction to Big Bang but provided a big kids playground full of space hoppers, swingball for both hands and feet and outdoor bowling!

Humphrey Milles entertained the crowds with his Acoustic set before the Circus Whiz Party kept the kids entertained. The Wii Just Dance competition took place in the Fuelers Bar providing an opportunity for the little girls within us all to come out and play. Congratulations to Elanor for taking the trophy with a brilliant performance.

Wii Dance Wii Dance spacer Wii Just Dance Competition
Winner: Elanor

The evening entertainment has become a highlight for many at the Big Bang Camper & Bus Show and it’s safe to say that the performance from  “ The Greatest Take That” will be remembered by many as they performed all of the hits to perfection. Over in the Fuelers Bar DJ First Rate kept those Hip Hop fans amused for the night.

Activities commenced bright and early on Saturday morning and for some it involved herding goats who had somehow found their way into Santa Pod, one of the most bizarre and amusing attractions ever seen here at Santa Pod – thanks to those that helped us to get them home safely.

The Rust & Rat competition took place and provided another stunning field of alternative show cars. Congratulations to all of our winners:

Camping Beetle

Best Beetle

Julian Robinson
'53 Oval Beetle


Van Van

Best Bus

Malcom Harris
'70 Bay


Other Cooled Other

Best Other Aircooled

Sam Fernandez
VW Brasilia


Watercooled Watercooled

Best Watercooled

Dom Clarke
MK3 Golf


Interior Interior

Best Interior

Paul Millard
Split


Judge's Choice Choice

Judge's Choice

Bobby Wilcox
VW/Audi DKW

The Speedcross Gymkhana course was open throughout the weekend providing a more thrilling experience for those budding race drivers. Circus Whiz were in full force as they entertained the younger crowds all day long and the skate park entertained those that had brought their own wheels. There really was plenty going on for the little ones with a kids party later in the day too.

The RWYB sessions continued throughout Saturday morning resulting in the following winners:

Class A Class A

Class A – Beetles

Robert Kilham
Beetle
12.8778s @ 97.97mph


Class B Class B

Class B – Splitscreen Vans

Ian Court
Crew Cab
13.2415s @ 112.22mph


RWYB Class C

Class C – Bayscreen Vans

Dan Leatherbarrow
Panel Van
17.0540s @ 76.32mph


Class D Class D

Class D – Late Model Vans

Alan Lane
T25
25.2200s @ 51.3mph


Class E Class E

Class E – Other Air-cooled VWs

Ian Bottomley
Buggy
12.38s @ 115.8mph


Class G Class G

Class G – Watercooled VW

Nathan Francis
Golf
13.8528s @ 106.76mph


Class X spacer

Class X – Non Road Legal

Niki Gower
Audi S4
14.5748s @ 90.84mph

Well Done to all winners and thanks for making the most of your weekend and getting involved with proceedings on the drag strip.

Inbetween the RWYB and the start of Drag Racing the quarter mile was filled with runners, skaters, cyclists and scooters for the Human Powered Race.

Human spacer Human spacer Human spacer Human Powered Race
Under 16 Winner:
Joe Rawcliffe
Over 16 Winner:
Nathan West

The crowd favourite resident monster truck of Drew Thornton was doing its thing in the Live Action Arena crushing anything in it’s path which resulted in some awesome sky wheelies.

As the intermittent hail storms interfered with the schedule on the drag strip there was plenty going on elsewhere on site including the bands Abandon Her and Khorosho in the main marquee.

The Handling Track as sponsored by the Apex Festival this weekend was as always a popular attraction providing the opportunity to prove your driving ability in your own wheels. Congratulations to Leon Chisnall in his Golf who came out on top of the pile with the trophy and some Apex Festival goodies.

The SBX freestyle show went down an absolute storm including both their shows in the marquee and in the Fuelers Bar on Saturday evening. Onlookers were dazzled by their amazing foot & basketball control and dancing.

The annual Big Bang Charity Auction in aid of the Air Ambulance proved popular as ever and raised a massive £359.30 so thanks to everyone who bought something and contributed.

The Guitar Hero competition is always a popular and insanely close competition and 2013’s fight for the title was no different. Dozens took part but there was only one winner so big congrats to Nick who clinched the trophy in a nail-biting final.

Guitar Hero Guitar Hero Competition
Winner: Nick Adamson
Runner-up: Sarah Spotswood

The fireworks lit up the night sky soon after the last pair of cars tore up the drag strip providing a fitting end to the days activities.

Then it was into party mode for the evening with the Fool Fighters whipping the crowd up into the frenzy whilst Now & Then packed out the Fuelers Bar.

Sunday was Show & Shine day and there was a beautiful selection of VW’s on display making judging incredibly difficult. But we had to find some winners and the eventual winners are as follows:

Best Best Best of Show

Original Original

Best Original

Kevin McLean
MKII Scirocco Scala


Custom Custom

Best Custom

Jai Field
'71 Beetle


Best Interior Interior

Best Interior

John Cunningham
'03 Beetle Cabriolet


Exterior Interior

Best Exterior

Craig Last
'73 Karmann Ghia


Engine Engine

Best Engine

Shaun Howe
'67 Karmann Ghia


Beetle Beetle

Best Beetle

Andy Shortman
'67 Beetle


Other Other

Best Other Air-Cooled

Paul Robinson
'71 Buggy


Water-Cooled Water-Cooled

Best Water-Cooled

Leon Clarke
MKII Golf


Interior Split

Best Splitty

Nick Edwards
'54 Samba


Bay Bay

Best Bay

Chris Gin
'68 Bay


Late Late

Best Late Van

David Barnes
T4


Camper Interior Camper Interior

Best Camper Interior

Phil Walton
'60 Samba


Show & Go Show & Go

Show & Go Winner

Damo Tomes
'67 Beetle


Judge's Choice Judge's Choice

Judge's Choice
Prize from Steve Moss

Sam Flint
'74 Beetle


Apex Choice Apex  Choice

Apex Choice

Edwin Hannatt
MKI Golf


Hayburner Choice Hayburner Choice

Hayburner Choice

Gareth Lawton
'50 Heblica


The Drag Strip is always a focal point around Big Bang and despite only getting 1qualifier in on Saturday evening, the Sunday ran a lot smoother completing all outstanding qualifying and eliminations. There was some excellent racing from all classes including the ever entertaining VWDRC. Congratulations to the following winners in each class:

VW Pro VW Pro

VW Pro

Winner Dave Bridge
Runner-up Matt Attwood


VW Sportsman VW Sportsman

VW Sportsman

Winner Paul Day
Runner-up Jason Anslow


JDS Super Modified

Jap Drag Series

Winner Andre Gysler
Runner-up Bye


Sportsman ET Sportsman ET

Sportsman ET

Winner Stephen Cherrett
Runner-up Craig Wright


Junior Dragster Junior Dragster

Lucas Oil Junior Dragster

Winner Billy Everitt
Runner-up Belle Wheeler


Outlaw Anglia spacer

Outlaw Anglia

Winner Colin Millar
Runner-up Cliff Griffin


8.50 Bike 8.50 Bike

8.50 Bike

Winner Robert Field
Runner-up Phil Bloomfield


9.50 Bike 9.50 Bike

9.50 Bike

Winner Joe Elliott
Runner-up Fred Furlong

So that’s it for another year, the Big Bang Camper and Bus show has been and gone for another year and despite the odd rain/hail showers, it was still an awful lot drier than 2012! Thanks to everyone who came back and supported the show, including all of the clubs. We shall see you all back here for Big Bang 2014, if not at Bug Jam on the 19th-21st July.

2013 Event Merchandise will be available to order online at www.santapod.co.uk/shop.php.

News Letter: Fill out your e-mail address below to receive the Santa Pod VW Email News Letter and you will also be entered into a monthly prize draw to win a £50 Santa Pod Raceway gift voucher.

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