Bug Jam 21 Report - Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd July 2007

The world is 70% water, and so was Bug Jam 21. The staff setting up the site on Thursday were struggling to hammer tent pegs into the hard dry ground, and went to bed that evening with horrible sunburn. But by Friday morning, the heavens opened, and they didn’t really stop until late on Saturday night, making this one of the wettest Bug Jam’s for quite a while. Despite the frustrating weather conditions, thousands of enthusiastic Vee-dub fans turned up and filled the site with beautiful cars and vans, and enjoyed the company of some cool people, determined to have as much fun as the mud allowed.

Even though the dragstrip stayed closed all Friday and most of Saturday, there was breathtaking action from the monster trucks, freestyle motocross and Terry Grant, and of course there was a load to see in the trade area, around the club displays and in the entertainment tents. As usual of course, part of the entertainment came from the nutters who make up the Bug Jam crowd. This weekend we saw everything from penny-farthing riders to astronauts wandering around site, but some of the funniest were actually just in practical attire for the conditions: The swimming team in wetsuits, armbands and Speedo trunks were perfectly suited to the semi-aquatic environment they inhabited!

The weather didn’t affect the music artistes one bit, and favourites from the show were the Green Day tribute act (Green Days) who rocked the main stage on Friday night, but there was something for everyone as usual, with live bands, tribute acts and DJs for the dance-heads filling all four music arenas with sonic delights.

The sunshine came briefly on Saturday, turning the whole of Santa Pod into a steamy world of bright light and reflections, allowing just enough time to get a few cars down the dragstrip, and Mr and Miss Bug Jam on the stage before the rain made an unwelcome return later in the evening.

Relief from the deluge finally came on Sunday, and campers woke up to bright, warming sunshine, and it turned out to be a great day all about the cars, with great racing and a stunning show & shine competition.

Over 100 cars turned up for the Autoglym Show & Shine competition, and the Volksworld judges were quite literally fighting over who should take home the silverware, but the following were all worthy winners:

Thanks to everyone who turned up, you put on a great show, look out for a new Volks-Rod trophy next year along with the Type 2 trophy splitting into T25, Bay and Split, and A Random Prize for anything that takes the judges fancy!

The Best Club Stand Trophy was awarded to the South West Buggy Club who didn't even use all their allocated space, instead they parked a nice selection of vehicles nose to tail forming one big geometric VW block.

The racing on Sunday was also intense, and the VWDRC and invited classes put on an amazing show of power and great racing that was appreciated by everyone who had been waiting so patiently for track action. The results of the finals were:

All that is left is to say a huge thank you to everyone who braved the rain and came to Bug Jam anyway, keeping the vibe alive and the show going. We owe it all to you hardcore Vee Dubbers!

Thanks also to everyone who worked at the event and kept the smiles coming, and the site running. THANKS!

Bug Jam 21 Quotes

“There were no amount of rain and mud likely to spoil our weekend. The atmosphere was great as usual and the partying went on and on” – Retro Junkie

“The rain didnt put our gang off partying at all and Sunday racing was great.” – Helabela

“Dancing in wellies and being coated in mud just gave the party atmosphere a slightly more interesting edge” – Tia

“First Bug Jam - and I loved it!” – Chuckle Bus

“One of my best Bug Jams despite the conditions” – Smull

“I’ve got a semi down here” – John Cross

Bug Jam 21 Gallery

Check out more photos form Bug Jam 21 on the Bug Jam 21 gallery.

The winner of the Bug Jam 21 questionnaire prize draw is Clive Raynor from Cardiff.