Modified VW and VAG Car Show Guide

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The 'GTi Spring Festival' now in its third year, has certainly hit the ground running. It is now without doubt a very major 'Season Opener'. It already exceeds the visitor numbers of the July 'GTi Summer Festival', which has been running for 15 years! With Sprinting, Show and Shine, Clubs, Autojumble and Traders, it follows a simple formula, which has for many years included the Fireforce Jet Car car team. It might be that some VW enthusiasts were beginning to become a little passé about the 300mph vehicle going through its paces at each event. Well the exploits of Richard Hammond, (AKA the Hamster,) in another jet car in Yorkshire last year served as a frightening reminder of the risks involved. The Fireforce Jet Funny Car will be the one vehicle guaranteed to have most of the audience rushing track side the second it fires up for each demonstration pass.

The show itself offers all day sprinting for a single signing on fee, which is hugely popular. But donít forget your driving licence (you cannot sign on for sprinting without it). The early season event was good for many personal bests last year, which may be down to a combination of the 'track bite' glue sprayed on to the Santa Pod quarter-mile, and the very good air quality at this time of year. Personal bests set here are also ërealí, meeting all international timing standards. The timing equipment is accurate to within less than one thousandth of a second.

The overall formula for this show is very simple, the major elements being the activity on the sprint track and the Show and Shine. The Show and Shine is one of the best in the country, with in the region of 100 contestants. There is no charge for entry into the Show and Shine, and it is becoming a popular show at which to debut new or revamped cars after the winter lay off. Gates open at 8.00am with the sprint track open from 10.00am. There is plenty of opportunity to browse trade stands, check out the autojumble and club displays, as well as watch (or even try a few runs on) the dragstrip. Overseas visitors to the show will receive free admission on production of their ferry tickets/proof of travel, so perhaps we will see a few more European visitors this year.