Big Bang at The Pod

[Speedman]

Made our usual trip northish to Santa Pod for the VW show, first time camping with our 7 month old, we tried out several methods but settled on SWMBO and baby in the camper and me in the awning. In time she'll be big enough for the bunk over the front seats though. Anyway, have a mass of photos and captions from a roasting hot friday, damp/sunny/windy saturday & sunday.

Friday
Set ourselves up in club camping just after lunch and headed out for a wander round the pits and camping areas. Very clean Rallye




Mad hightop Split panelvan


Type3 with a poptop, small scale camping anyone?


This Unimog was seen bombing round the site making a racket all weekend long


Camping neighbours.






Wouldn't be The Pod without a bit of Jetcar fun.


And so to bed.

[Speedman]

Saturday
As befits a weekend camping I rustled up a couple of bacon, mushroom & black pudding baps for us.


Before heading off to the traders and the pits again. All we bought were a pair of windscreen wipers for the van and a new flag for my pole so I can find the camper on site from orbit!








This pickup was vast, running a massive 9lt lump it was getting mid 12s down the strip, the owner runs its as a sort of daily as well, hence six race harnesses across the two bench seats for the family to travel in safety!








I also picked up a new weekend hat as my old straw number was flattened in the van somewhere, added to a 0-150mph in 9seconds drag bike with that shirt makes me





Back through the camping areas we spied a few more quality rides.










Leaving SWMBO and miniSWMBO at the camper I watched the racing for a bit.






Little'n'Large racing!


Entertainment was from a wheelie spilt


Then it was back to the van for more food followed by a wander round the funfair and a natter will it started raining!

[Speedman]

Sunday
It was a wet one, the wind was up and it was lashing it down, luckily it was 4am, so I rolled over and shut my eyes until it stopped around 9am! Then after another round of fried meat in a bun we packed up and hit the traders and pits again.




Told you it was wet!


The Battle of Britain Lancaster performed a couple of very low flybys.


And we hitched a ride on this 1750hp beast for a lap of the arena and over the cars.


We did a final pass of the traders before taking in the show'n'shine.








And that was it, we saddled up and headed home, the camper never missed a beat in almost 250 miles and we all had a good time ;D

[slackerTHEpinstriper]

cool pics mate, some decent stuff there

[30psi]

Great pics. I was there too, in that red Thunderbird up there.

Here's how it went for us - Arrived Friday at 12. Got tents up and unpacked. My mate in his 2332 Beetle aims for 12's. Strolls on the strip around 3pm and lunches first gear on the first run. Box not good, £1500 box died.

I then took the Tbird up the strip. Had issues at 3/4 track with a fuel delivery problem, so bailed out early on all the runs.

Friday evening, got drunk. Saturday morning was a bit wet but all sorted for midday. Saturday night got pretty wet and muddy but got drunk so all good.

Sunday got going around 3pm. Ian drove the Beetle and lost all gears so got recovered at a cost of £200.

We also went in the monster truck, that was fun

[dude]

May 9, 2011 19:45:11 GMT Speedman said:

Awesome

Thanks for sharing

[Rich606]

May 9, 2011 19:45:11 GMT Speedman said:

This pickup was vast, running a massive 9lt lump it was getting mid 12s down the strip, the owner runs its as a sort of daily as well, hence six race harnesses across the two bench seats for the family to travel in safety!

Mid 12s . There's literally no way the aerodynamics on that could be any worse, that's the coolest thing I've ever heard ;D
Do I spy a dual wheel axle converted to huge single wheels too?



EDIT: For accuracy's sake, the aerodynamics would be worse if it didn't have the tonneau cover over the bed:



...But that's it ;D

[WillCarter]

I'll add mine too then if that's alright, went up on the Saturday, but unfortunately couldn't wander as much as I liked due to a lack of phone and needing a lift home.

[octagonalpaul]

so many awesome cars, amazing pics Speedman and Will

[ExJarkle]

May 9, 2011 21:22:14 GMT WillCarter said:

I'll add mine too then if that's alright, went up on the Saturday, but unfortunately couldn't wander as much as I liked due to a lack of phone and needing a lift home.



Argh now you're talking mate. I want one of these!

[luckygti]

Looks like it was a good weekend, haven't been for ages, hopefully have the DoKa back up and running for it next year loving the patina'd blue splitty, lovely.

[DarrenW]

Nice pics, such a shame I couldn't make it this year!

[chevazon]

May 9, 2011 20:25:44 GMT dude said:

May 9, 2011 19:45:11 GMT Speedman said:

Awesome

Thanks for sharing

Any info on this as I am sure I went to look at this a few years ago with a view to buying it.

[stealthstylz]

Immense.

[cairyhunt]

I always miss big bang think it's just too early in the season, I never realise it's on toll it's too late

On a brighter note, this is a mates new van, he's decided his '58 is gonna take longer than expected to finish, so he's bought this so he can take his time on the 58! lol

[WillCarter]

That, along with the Gold Split with the jacked up rear was my car of the show. Patina was just right and it sat perfectly.

[bryn]

Was good to see you Steve, albeit briefly

Got up there early Friday morning and left at about 6 on Sunday evening as I was working, first time at Big Bang and got to say it was a nice chilled event compared to some of the carnage I get to enjoy at Santa Pod.

Only problem with being in the Live Action Arena most of the weekend is that I don't get to see many show cars, so thanks for the pics. I got all inspired and bought a bunch of parts for my beach buggy... Just ripped the front end off it tonight and will have back together sooner rather than later. Unfortunately I don't think my split will ever look as good as those above, damned temptation

[gasserjay]

May 9, 2011 22:14:06 GMT chevazon said:

May 9, 2011 20:25:44 GMT dude said:

Awesome

Thanks for sharing

Any info on this as I am sure I went to look at this a few years ago with a view to buying it.

It belongs to a friend of mine and has only been in the country
about 3 months since importing it from california.
It runs a small block chevy , ford galaxie rear axle and a econoline front axle.

[30psi]

A few of my shots below





My mate before he breaks his box














£300 for a go in this










And the pinstriping I had done

[Seth]

Nice report Speedman, and great photos everyone!