Europe’s Biggest and best VW festival at Santa Pod - Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd July

Now firmly established as Europe’s biggest, best and most popular VW show and cruising towards its third decade as the summer VW event of choice, Bug Jam 26 is back once again with a line-up of both on and off-track action that reflects the history and heritage of this iconic event. Once more, it’s time for the incredible VW-inspired, weekend long party, where over 33,000 show-goers can expect to have fun in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Bug Jam 26 looks set to pack even more entertainment, fun, action and racing into 3 hectic days than ever before with an itinerary that means you can choose to soak up the sun and sights with a cold one, or run manically between the various stages, tents and arenas, availing yourself of an almost non-stop line-up of great things to do.

Often dubbed ‘Glastonbury On Wheels’, Bug Jam offers an eclectic selection of all things VW, wrapped in an intoxicating mix of music, comedy, nightlife and lifestyle. A true festival in every sense of the word, with a vibrant and fun atmosphere, bringing to life the very essence of VW culture. As ever, this year, all of the action is also being captured for a lifestyle documentary programme on Motors TV.

Naturally, Europe’s greatest, shiniest and fastest VWs will be taking centre stage – and, after it proved so popular in previous years, scene legends Type 2 Detectives will be performing a live custom build over the weekend. But even if that’s not your thing, there’s an incredibly diverse list of attractions to choose from, making Bug Jam a superb event for all sorts of enthusiasts.

As well as non-stop drag racing from the pros, there are numerous chances for you to have a go yourself in the many ‘Run What You Brung’ sessions held over the weekend. Running on the strip throughout the show will be Fireforce, Santa Pod’s resident 280mph Jet Car, a 7000 bhp Fuel funny car, the insane Jet Beetle and Wheelie Split, Eric Teboul’s Rocket Bike and of course, the 7-second quarter mile-turning 2 seat dragster for the very brave to ride in. Polishing buffs will also love the Autoglym ‘Show and Shine’ area, where Europe’s most beautifully finished creations compete for top honours.

Bring a full wallet, because not only will you find one of the biggest collections of VW traders in one place, but also the Autojumble is often known to throw up some real rarities. If you have been looking for that obscure part for months - you might just find it here. Better still, take a complete car home! The ‘For Sale’ area usually reveals a few genuine bargains.

Adrenaline junkies have plenty to keep them entertained. Not only will UKFMX be providing 2 days of gravity-defying action, but they’ll also be ably assisted by Podzilla, Santa Pod’s very own car-crushing Monster Truck, this year battling it out with the similarly able ‘Swamp Thing’. There’s also a superb BMX, Skate and Scooter vert display, the insane Vander Brother’s Quad Wheel and even a full off-road course for Baja and Buggy owners. Headlining as ever, will be Guinness World Record’s most decorated stunt driver, Terry Grant, who will be attempting set yet another World Record with his incredible driving.

Music fans will hit ‘tilt’ thanks to a packed itinerary of live bands across four stages. The music line-up so far includes some of the finest tribute acts in the country such as Beatlemania and The Complete Stone Roses on the main stage, with Haçienda in the Dance Zone, Carwash with Wham!Duran in the Retro Zone and Motown in Fuelers Bar. Event headliners are Simon & Oscar from Ocean Colour Scene ‘unplugged’ on the main stage with a Propaganda Indie night in the Retro Zone, a Super Hero themed night in the Dance Zone and an Ibiza-style Foam Party in Fuelers Bar. In other words, bring your best dancing pants. You’ll be needing them!

Bug Jam’s comedy line-up is always epic and this year’s Saturday headliner will be Rhys Darby (Murray from ‘Flight of the Conchords’) along with Joe Bor, Stephen Carlin, The Noise Next Door and many other great British comedians. You can bank on seeing plenty of familiar faces from the TV, as well as many up-and-coming stars of tomorrow. Catch them before they fill Wembley at £80 a seat!

But that’s STILL not all! There’s free camping on-site all weekend and better still, the under 13s get in for absolutely nothing! There’s a huge funfair and festival traders on site for all to enjoy and as a fitting tribute to our brave servicemen, The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be making a fly past at Bug Jam with a WWII Dakota on the Saturday.

With a capacity crowd expected, show goers are advised to book their tickets early. Last years’ event was an early sell out, so DO NOT miss this one!

Honda has announced its intention to participate as a works team in the motorcycle class of the Dakar Rally to be held in January 2013 in South America, travelling north to south through Peru, Chile and Argentina.

Honda competed nine times in the motorcycle class in the forerunner of the present Dakar Rally, the Paris-Dakar Rally, from 1981 through to 1989, and was a winner five times during that period. It has been 23 years since it last participated in the Rally.
 
The Honda team, to be called Team HRC, will include Portuguese rider Helder Rodrigues, who took third place in the 2012 Dakar Rally, Brazilian Felipe Zanol, who brings a wealth of experience in motocross and enduro race events, as well as Sam Sunderland (United Kingdom) and Javier Pizzolito (Argentina).
 
They will ride a prototype machine developed and produced by the Motorcycle R&D Center at Honda R&D. The prototype machine is based on the CRF450X, the popular worldwide enduro racing model that combines ease of handling with superior competitive strength. Kit parts designed for use on the standard CRF450X model have also been developed and will be supplied to a limited number of teams.
 
Tetsuo Suzuki, Senior Managing Officer and Director, Chief Operating Officer, Motorcycle R&D Centre, Honda R&D Co., Ltd. commented: “The Dakar requires competitors to cover several hundred kilometers per day for more than two weeks. It needs a totally different type of vehicle from events such as motocross, trials and road races. Honda has put a great deal of effort into designing and building a powerful and winning machine. We are aiming for the championship from this first year.”

Some of Ducati’s greatest Past Masters will attend next week’s festival of 1000 bikes at Mallory Park.
 
The Vintage Motorcycle Club will again host this classic track weekend at Mallory Park 0n 6/7/8 July with the popular Past Masters track sessions featuring prominently on the Sunday.
 
The highlight of these sessions will be the Ducati World Superbike showcase featuring a collection of some of the biggest names from Ducati’s racing heritage. Ducati World Champions Carl Fogarty and Neil Hodgson headline an all star line-up that includes ex factory riders Marco Luchinelli, Dario Marchetti and Frankie Chilli.
 
Chilli and Fogarty will share a track for the first time since the days of their fierce rivalry of the late 90’s and one of Ducati’s most revered champions, Paul Smart, will join them on a 750SS celebrating 40 years since his famous win at the Imola 200.
 
It is not only the riders that will be the stars of the show as the Ducati session includes some of the brand’s historical race bikes. Neil Hodgson and Davide Tardozzi will be riding ex-factory 999R’s, Frankie Chili and Dario Marchetti will be riding ex factory 996’s, whilst Malcolm Wheeler will be riding his fully restored 750TT. Other notable entries are an ex-factory 888 belonging to John Hackett, a Ducati Supermono ridden by Alan Cathcart, a 750 F1 belonging to John Raybould and special edition 1199 S Panigale ridden by Carl Fogarty.
 
Randy Mamola will be also be starring at the event, taking Riders for Health auction winners on laps of the circuit on the Ducati UK ‘Dual Seat’ 1198 SP.

The full Ducati World Superbike Showcase list includes:
 
ALAN CATHCART              DUCATI SUPERMONO
 
PF "FRANKIE" CHILI         WORKS DUCATI 996
 
CARL FOGARTY                DUCATI PANIGALE
 
JOHN HACKETT                DUCATI 888
 
NEIL HODGSON                DUCATI 999R
 
MARCO LUCCHINELLI    DUCATI HYPERMOTARD
 
DARIO MARCHETTI          DUCATI 996
 
JOHN RAYBOULD            DUCATI 750F1
 
PAUL SMART                     DUCATI 750SS
 
DAVIDE TARDOZZI           DUCATI 999
 
MALC WHEELER              DUCATI 750TT2

The Ducati World Superbike showcase session takes place at 2.15pm on Sunday 8th July and there will be chances to meet the stars throughout the weekend including official signing &and appearance times on both Saturday and Sunday.

For full listings and descriptions of the bikes visit:  www.vmcc.net/1000bikes

Over a hundred bikes are set to take to the streets on July 14th to raise money for our troops.

The event, organised by Mandy Jenkins, who’s eldest son (19) is currently serving in The Princes of Wales Royal Regiment and has just returned from a 7 month tour of duty in Afghanistan, has dedicated vast efforts to make sure our lads and lasses, past and present, get the support they deserve on overseas operations and support is extended to the families they leave behind.

Commenting, Mandy said: “Unfortunately the returning lads and lasses from the latest tour will not be able to have a public show of celebration and thanks within the Regimental Area of Surrey, Sussex, Kent and Hampshire due to Jubilee and Olympic commitments. It has been a hard tour for them with the death of one of their number and several major injuries. But the regiment have achieved their aim and been highly praised, hence the fact we are planning this celebratory event. All money raised during the day will be split between three charities; these being The Poppy Appeal, Tigers Benevolent (Charity Registration No. 1024418)and Support our Soldiers (Registered Charity: 1120684), the three charities are close to my families hearts and have and will continue to support the Tigers in years to come. I’m delighted that Jon and Paula from The Fox Revived have agreed to help us with the event – I’m sure it’s going to be a really special day and one that will raise much needed funds.”

Riders from The Royal British Legion Riders Branch and Support our Soldiers will all join forces on the day, which starts at The Fox Revived, Norwood Hill, near Horley at 11:00 on Saturday July 15th. Riders and non riders can enjoy a warm welcome at The Fox, with bacon butties available before the ride (23 miles around the local area), before returning to the pub for a day of live music, great food, drink, craft stalls, fun and games.

The route passes the war memorial at Shaw’s Corner and at this point the riders will pay their respects to the fallen of past and present conflicts. The salute will be taken by parents of the Fallen from Afghanistan.

www.supportoursoldiers.co.uk

tel: 07597 737264

e-mail: [email protected]

IAM’s head of riding standards and advanced motorcyclist, Peter Rodger, is advising on sharing the road with horse riders.
 • Riders are reluctant to take their horse onto a grass verge because long grass can hide hazards. Give them plenty of room so they don’t need to.
• Horses are unpredictable; don’t risk startling them by rushing up or making sudden noises when passing.
• If the horse reacts to the vehicle ahead, let it settle down before you try to pass.
• If you catch a horse up but have to wait behind, make sure the horse can see you.
• Horse box drivers will avoid stopping to give their passengers a smoother ride, and will leave longer following distances. Be patient and avoid cutting them up.
• Many riders will try to communicate with you, so make eye contact and keep an eye on their body language throughout the manoeuvre.
 
Rodger said: “At this time of the year, there are higher numbers of vulnerable road users – especially on rural roads – including cyclists and horse riders.
 
“Bear in mind that around every bend you could come across one of them, and keep your speed down, and scan the road well ahead for signs of their presence.”

www.iam.org.uk