Big Bang - VW Festival

Big Bang Camper & Bus Show 2009
24th to 26th April at Santa Pod Raceway - The Fun & Friendly Family VW Festival

Big Bang is back for 2009 and will again incorporate Camper & Bus Show! Three days of VW fun in the sun with great racing, music and comedy at the home of European Drag Racing! All Beetles and buses, campers and Karmanns are welcome at the show to enjoy the Run What Ya Brung (RWYB), show & shine, VWDRC drag racing, or simply filling the camp sites and chilling out.

Gates open Friday 24th April at 9am for weekend ticket holders.

What's on at Big Bang Camper & Bus Show?:

VW only Run What Ya Brung (Saturday) - Take your own VW down the strip on Saturday! Learn the basics of Drag Racing, beat your mates and test your car in a safe and legal environment. All drivers must bring a valid driving licence to sign on.

RWYB competition with classes - Everyone signing on for RWYB will be put into classes to find the fastest Bug, Splittie, Bay, Type 3 etc.

See the RWYB page for more info on RWYB and competition classes.

Drag Racing (Sunday) - Things get serious on the dragstrip on Sunday with the VWDRC (Volkswagen Drag Racing Club) classes including VW Sportsman, VW Pro and VW Alternate Engine. Big Bang will also be a championship round for the hot rods of Super Modified, Street Eliminator and Outlaw Anglia, along with 9.50 Bike, Sportsman ET and Junior Dragster. More info on the Racers Page.

Show & Shine Competition - Got an awesome custom car, rare original or restored stunner? Whatever species of VW it is, if it looks cool, get it into the Show and Shine on Sunday. There is a whole stack of new trophies as part of the Volksworld Camper & Bus show just for (you guessed it) campers and busses. It's free to enter and you'll be sure to have a crowd.

Classes coming soon.

How to Take Part:

Get your vehicle over to the Show & Shine area on Sunday Morning, where you will be parked up.
Fill in your entry form, available from the Show & Shine unit.
Make sure you're back for the presentations to see if you've won.

VolksWorld Show & Go Competition - Race cars are built out of gaffer tape, and show cars go slow, right?

Wrong! The Big Bang Show & Go competition returns for 2008, where having a great looking car and going quickly on the strip can both earn you points. A new scoring and entry system will make it easier than ever to take part, and all you have to pay is your RWYB track fee as usual. Full details on the Show & Go page.

Camper & Bus Show - Volks World Camper & Bus magazine will be putting on a host of activities and Camper 'games'.

Alternative Energy Racing - Running on the track on Friday will be Alternative Energy Racing, showcasing current production vehicles, university projects, prototypes and even home-builds, with the emphasis being that performance doesn’t have to be polluting. If you’ve got a alternative fuel or electric car, bike or truck (not just VW!) and would like to take part, please get in contact through the AE Racing website.

There are two titles being contested: Alternative Fuel Vehicle and Zero Emission Vehicle. Full details at www.aeracing.org.

Fireforce Jet Car - Martin Hill and the Fireforce crew will be running the Fireforce 3 Jet Funny Car, the fastest Jet Car in the world.

Jet Beetle - Ronnie Picardo's flame-throwing Blue Max Beetle uses the original chassis and body panels and has full working electrics and MOT.

Live Music - As always there will be plenty of live music with bands during the day on Saturday and Sunday in addition to the evening entertainment on Friday and Saturday, in Fuelers Bar and the Big Top. Stay tuned for full info coming soon.

Live Comedy - Get ready to laugh hard as Big Bang offers you some top quality comedy. Stay tuned for full info coming soon.

AutoTrader Cars For Sale Paddock - Just like the small ads, but instead of a little picture, you get to look at the whole car! Free for buyers and sellers. Just turn up on the day.

Clubs - Display areas and club camping areas are available to book. Call 01234 782828 to book your spot, discounts available on large group bookings. More club info on the Clubs page.

VW Camper & Bus Campsite - After its success last year as well as general camping and family camping there will be a separate Camper & Bus camping field for Buses, Vans and Campers.

Family Camping Area - Quiet camping for those with little-uns needing an early night. Ask for a Family Camping pass from the main gate when you arrive. First come first served and you will need to have kids in your car/van.

Bug Push - If you’ve got four mates and a Beetle here, you can compete in the high speed (up to 5 mph!) world of human-powered drag racing. Entry details coming soon.

Funfair - Come out and play at the fun-fair, then stuff your face with candyfloss.

Traders - Supplying VW parts, new and vintage, clothes, festival gear, unique products and services! Also, check out the Pod Shop for daily essentials and Big Bang merchandise.

2 Seater Dragster - For the ultimate thrill ride, the 7 second Santa Pod 2 Seater Dragster will be running at Big Bang with passenger rides available for £250. Details at www.santapod.com.

Plus:
Movie Screen - Playing throughout the weekend.
Autojumble - Rare & vintage parts for your classic Vee-Dub. Autojumble traders, please phone 01234 782828 to book your spot in advance or it's first come first served on the day, pitches are £20 in advance or £25 on the day, plus weekend ticket.
Food & Drink - Full catering and bar facilities all weekend, with food to suit every taste.
Sideshows - kids entertainment, weird and wonderful VW-related madness and more.

Big Bang 2008 Report and Gallery

If you didn't make it to the 2007 Big Bang then find out what you missed with the 2008 Report and 2008 Photo Gallery.

News Letter: Fill out your e-mail address to receive the Santa Pod VW News Letter and be entered into the Toyo prize draw.