Red Bull Soapbox Race - London

Last weekend Red Bull took over London's Ally Pally for their downhill Soapbox Kart race. Amongst the 70 teams entered was Team Hippy Split Camper Van. The team was led by L'E'N irregular Tony Chamberlain, along with Manda (his Other 'Alf), Marco Leao (L'E'N) and Geoff Williams (SSVC). Their weapon of choice? A scale model of Tony's rat-look Splitty camper.

Team Hippy Split during the build

A quick test drive along, errr, Tony's drive

 

Team Hippy Split ready to fly

The course was approx 500m featuring corners, jumps, steps, a chicane and the dreaded Kicker just before the finish line. This last obstacle was to prove the un-doing of many a carefully crafted vehicle.

So, Tony's run...

http://soapbox.redbull.co.uk/gallery/hippy-split-campervan

(if Red Bull's embed codes don't work)

From the outside...

Unfortunately, Tony landed heavily on the LHF wheel, knocking it clean off.
He continued on 3 wheels, leaning back over the RHR wheel, but the Kicker showed no remorse...

 

And some highlights...

The Best Crashes

http://soapbox.redbull.co.uk/gallery/all/3

Seeing as Danny MacAskill was one of the Soapbox Race judges, here's his latest film Imaginate

Phew!

Bug Jam is nearly upon us and we're...

 

 

Cornwall VW Jamboree

(clickety for biggety)

The CVWOC Jamboree has been on the show calendar for many years, in fact it was ginga and Moog's first weekend VW show wa-a-a-a-ay back in 1988 at Pencarrow House. Since then it moved to the Royal Cornwall County Showground (until they built a bypass through it) then the Monkey Tree Holiday Park and is now at the Stithians Showground - in proper Cornish Cornwall instead of that Newquay Emmit Trap nonsense.

Stithians itself doesn't have much but it's close to both North and South coast beaches, the Redruth/Camborne mining Heritage centres and many other tourist attracrtions. For convenience/shopping Helston, Truro, Falmouth and Penryn are nearby.

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The show is on the August Bank Holiday weekend which gives us all that perfect opportunity to stay down for a coupla extra days before trudging back to civilization.

Featuring all the usual weekend fare: live bands, Show & Shine, Trader village, bouncy castles and childrens entertainers along with climbing wall and LaserTag. Saturday night's theme is The Wild West - cowboys or Cornishmen, it's up to you.

The site has proper toilet and shower facilities and dogs are welcome, on a lead.

Congratulations

Andy Murray - whinging scot Triumphant British hero

Lazy Day Gallery

The Wolfsburg Weedhuggers held their Lazy Day one day show on Sunday and, a few spots of rain aside, it was an excellent day. Held at the Black Horse pub near Great Missenden, there was plenty to see and do - there was even a separate quarantine area to keep the kids away from the cars, a most excellent idea.

The bar was selling cask cider and beers, the BBQ was doing a roaring trade and there was a quiz to fill in to keep the mind ticking and distract you from the rain.

Danny had power-parked Daphne right in front of the show HQ

Alex brought his out for a run.

Gemma's old Squareback was amongst the Type 3s

Meanwhile, in the car park...

Very new New Beetle

Errrrr.......

 

So, after the longest raffle draw in the world (well done to Josh for his haul of winnings) it was time for the trophy presentations.

Danny got Best Type 1

Best Type 2

and Best in Show

Best Watercooled

PolCo was busy

(ably managed by Matt & Julia)

Overall a marvelous success, something the Weedhuggers should be proud of - here's to next year.

Stonor Gallery

Stonor Park was in fine form this year, the sun shone and visitors were coming in up the drive throughout the day.

ginga and H

Alex in the Show n Shine

The Roso-bus looking all sparkling and shiny

(and in the background someone's about to dive head first in to Alex's engine bay)

Spotted in the car park

 A rather splendid mk1 Polo

Fresh from the VolksWorld show

Lovely Saab 95 on air

Nice

John Daniels is getting more cringeworthy with every passing year.
At this rate Operation Yew Tree will be attending next time!

Wolfsburg Weedhuggers Lazy Day

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Prept @ Brands Hatch

After a weekend going roundy-roundy at the Apex Festival, Danny Boy has got the circuit bug and is keen for another go. Prept are holding their Prept Showdown at Brands Hatch on Saturday June 15th.

"Prept is a German Car only club which has been meeting at Brands Hatch for years. Prept has now teamed up with the Wheel Whores team and tuners AMD tuning and Forge Motorsport to bring you Prept Showdown.

Prept Showdown will showcase classic and modern German cars that have been carefully prepared to look their very best. Other activities will include getting the opportunity to see the cars driving around the iconic Brands Hatch circuit, Go-Karting, Family Fun Zone, Demo Cars, Trade Stands and Show and Shine."

Track time is bookable in advance and gives you the choice of a four hour morning session (£159) or, in the afternoon, separate 20 minute sessions (£25 each). All sessions are on the shorter Indy circuit.

Tickets are £22 on the gate or £17 in advance - kids under 13 go free.

Camping is available on Friday and Saturday nights.

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 Here's what not to do... (fast forward to 1m 20s)

 

Holy Smoke!

Coming up...

This weekend sees 2 old rivals square up against each other.

Firstly is the NSRA Fun Run at Billing Aquadrome, near Northampton (NN3 9DA).

 

Their first major hot rod show of the year. Weekend activities and entertainment, trade stalls, saturday cruise, huge show 'n' shine car show for pre-1972 Hot Rods, Street Rods, and Customs.

The event starts on the Friday with campers and traders setting up camp. In the evening there will be a bar, disco and live covers band in the main marquee, chill out and meet your mates for a natter.

Saturday morning, bright and early sees a chance for the Tot Rods to be let loose on the go-cart track. At around mid day there is a cruise out in the Rods to a top secret destination. Alternatively laze around checking out the trade stands, visit the fair or go swimming. On Saturday evening there will be live music from The Firebirds, a rock and roll band, along with the disco in the marquee.

Sunday is show day when the main field is filled with Rods, swelled by the day trippers. The show field is open to all Pre 72 vehicles. We will have the normal Pop Festival and this year we will have a special category for “Wagons and Woodies“.

Day tickets: Adults £6, kids (6-15) £3, unders 5 go free.

Secondly it's VW Expo at Stonor Park on Sunday (RG9 6HF).

All the usual fun: Show & Shine, traders, Greg's Rest Stop, the John Daniels' Letch-a-thon, Club displays, comedy parking on the grassy slopes...

Tickets: Adults £9 (!), children under 16 go free. Autojumble plots are £10 (car) or £30 (van).

Entry includes admittance to Stonor Park house, home of the Stonor family for over 800 years.

Gates open 9am