Big Bang 2005

Big Bang 2005 Event Report

Big Bang broke with tradition in 2005, and had a full three days of hot and sunny weather! Combined with superb racing by the VWDRC, Super Modifieds and ET racers, awesome show-cars and unforgettable evening and daytime entertainment, this was most people's favourite Big Bang ever!

It all started off on Saturday with the gates opening early to allow the streams of VWs waiting at the gates onto the hallowed Santa Pod asphalt. The Run What Ya Brung kicked off early too, with some great runs by all types of vehicles, from rambling 1950's splitties, to fire-spitting, wheelie-popping VWDRC cars. Also running on Saturday were Super Mod and ET challenge cars warming up and testing set-ups for Monday's big event. It was great to see so many new race cars on the track, and it was clear that all the Run What Ya Brunger's were enjoying the chance to be a racer for the day too. The sounds of live bands wafted across the catering area on Saturday afternoon, and by midday all the club pitches were filled up and the main campsite was filling up too.

Once the Run What Ya Brung was over, the sun set over Santa Pod and the evening entertainment started: In the bar the indie disco and live band Vero kept it rocking, and in the Big Bang Sound Vault Radio 1's Mark Hamilton and DJ Trademark spun some of the latest dance vinyl. A spectacular thunderstorm took place on Saturday night better than any firework display, but it was all dry again by dawn the next day.

Sunday morning started with a hangover for all except the VolksWagen Drag Racing Club and Super Modified racers, who had to keep a clear head for the big day ahead. The racing incorporated VWDRC Pro, VWDRC Sportsman, VWDRC Alternate Engine, and Super Modified classes. Although the VWDRC class is one of the most accessible forms of racing available, the standard of vehicles and driving talent was right up there with the best, and some awesome close racing was had in all classes. A few turbulent runs added to the drama, and it wasn't plain sailing for the "usual suspects", but the closeness of the racing was worth the entry-fee alone.

VWDRC & Super Mod Finals:

VW Pro - Joe Gallagher (12.61) 14.148/78.13 defeated Ian Dale (12.80) 12.830/103.72 red light

VW Sportsman - Paul Herbert (15.27) 15.335/83.64 defeated James Lake (14.40) 14.382/91.82 breakout

VW Alt Engine - Matt Attwood (13.59) 13.606/98.01 defeated Wayne Allman (11.90) 11.914/111.44 red light

Super Modified - Andy Kirk 8.058/169.70 defeated Andy Hone 7.977/169.23

VWDRC & Super Mod Top Qualifiers:

Also running on Sunday in the bar were more live bands followed by the superb comedy talent of Silky and Ian Dewsbury. The evening entertainment celebrated another great day of Dubs, with the country-style rhythm & blues music of Ragmop in the bar, while The Carwash did the business in the Big Bang Sound Vault- finishing the evening with an unseasonal snow-storm!

Monday was Et Challenge and Show & Shine day, and while things got started on the track with qualifying, Show & Shine cars were arriving for the Volksworld-judged competition. Over 50 cars were entered by 11am, and the standard of entries was excellent, making judging the vehicles very hard even for the seasoned crew of judges. Winners were chosen for their originality, quality of workmanship and technical excellence, and several new cars were shown at Big Bang for the first time. A big thanks to Volksworld for the judging (we wouldn't have liked to have to pick 'em ourselves!).

Show & Shine Winners:

Best in Show - Mark Hopley - 23 Window Deluxe Splitscreen Camper (#43)

Best Paint - Bill Bhambra - Lamborghini Orange New Beetle (#48)

Best Interior - Stewart Bowers - Mojave Beige 1966 Splitscreen Camper (#9)

Best Engine - Justin Williams - Black & Cream Resto-Cal Style 1965 Beetle (#23)

Top Five - Paul Mattei - Gulf Racing Colours Beetle (#33)

Top Five - Gareth Lawton - Seasonal Beige Resto-Cal Style 1965 Beetle (#34)

Top Five - Andy Quarterman - 1962 VW Beetle Cabriolet (#19)

Top Five - Adrian Goodali - 1975 Camouflage Trekker 182 (#2)

Top Five - Simon Pratt - Yellow & Grey 1967 Splitscreen Camper (#22)

In the ET challenge, racing was just as interesting as the day before, and a couple of small showers halted the action on the track for just a matter of minutes before racing was resumed. It was great to see such an awesome variety of cars out on the track, from some of the slowest Sportsman VWs though to some of the fastest national drag racers competing side-by side. In the end, it was slow-but-steady that won it for Mick Geraghty, who was dialling in 19.35 against a 9.20 from John Morton, who broke-out in the finals. Great stuff, and we hope we can bring this competition back to Big Bang for 2006.

Big Bang ET Challenge

Final - Mick Geraghty (19.35) 19.904/50.85 defeated Jon Morton (9.20) 9.164/143.83 breakout

A massive thanks to all those who raced and all who came along including the clubs; Zwindon Luftshule, Dub Addicts, Cheshair, Wolfsburg Weed Huggers, Pothole Dodgers, Aircooled Collective, Demon Dweebs, KWSS, Rugby Dubs, Lo-E-Nuf, Spooky VW Club, Buses With Awnings, Bracknell Mad, Monkey Spinner, Surrey Stingers, Castaways VW Club, Low Down And Dirty, DVK, Volksair, Flatlanders VW Club, VW Fleet, Sheffield Volkswagen Owners Club, London & Thames Valley VW Club, Forest Of Dub, Skinflint Racing, Twickenham Air Coolers, Unfinished Projects, C-Side Cruisers, Damage2, Der Luftwawaffe Racers, VW Air Headz, Flannel Racing.

If you didn't make it to Big Bang 2005, have a look at what you missed in the 2005 Photo Gallery.

Reccommended Links:
(We cannot guarantee content of outside links)

RWYB Gallery by Slimboy Fat

Eurodragster VWDRC coverage & pictures

Herts VW Club Photos