VW Action is the longest running VW Show in the world, and has in one form or another been the true 'Jewel in the Crown' of UK VW events, from its early days at Stoneleigh, the NAS Stoneleigh shows, the period of its residency at Peterborough, at Herts County Showground, and now at Santa Pod. The last few years at 'The Pod' have produced quite exceptional shows, and 2011's event raised the bar again. The 'Ninjas & Pirates' theme, complete with 'West End' big budget stage set that included a 40 foot galleon and real cannons was embraced by all and the show received critical acclaim from all who attended.
2012 will continue the great tradition of VW Action delivering the absolute best event for the true VW enthusiast. VW Action is a show to which people are happy to bring their young family members, and yet which provides full on entertainment for all of its visitors, whatever their age or interests. The 2012 is 'Happy Days Rock 'N' Roll' - with Saturday evening's stage dressed as 'Jensen's Diner' - think 'Happy Days', think 'Grease', think 'America Graffiti' - Jensen D Groover's Dance and Indie Anthems with a smattering of Rock 'N' Roll, the Narni Shakers as Lindy Hop Ladies, as well as live music from the UK's answer to The Baseballs - the much acclaimed 'Rocker Covers'. With Hot Rods and Yank cars on display throughout the weekend - VW Action 2012 really will rock!! There is more information in the entertainment
section of this website.
But more than anything else, VW Action is about the cars. Action is one of few shows which is truly about everything Volkswagen, and the event welcomes the arrival of every VAG vehicle with equal enthusiasm. Early and late Vans and Buses, 'Old' and New Beetles, Golfs, Polos, and every other representative of the water cooled range, street cars, show cars and race cars - VW Action really is the best place for a true VW enthusiast on the weekend of August 31st to 2nd September 2012.
Every year we hear from people who have brought 'non VW enthusiast' friends as new visitors, who have been instantly converted to the cause. The fact that they are so readily accepted by everyone is testament to just how friendly and inclusive the VW community is. VW Action is as much about the friendliness and hospitality of other show-goers as the quality of the show itself. One year we even saw a wedding blessed on the Santa Pod startline, which was subsequently shown in some detail on TV! VW Action can be a weekend camped amongst like-minded enthusiasts, sitting, chilling, and meeting new friends, or a fully involved, participative fun fest!
VW Action is quite possibly unique amongst shows at Santa Pod, in that being almost entirely set out on the spectator side of the venue (see map),it meets the needs of those people who have no interest in drag racing just as well as it does the needs of the many VW enthusiasts who like nothing better than to watch the humble peoples car and it's derivatives storming the quarter mile faster than the fastest Detroit Iron. Or Italian Supercar. Ignore the dragstrip if that is not your thing, and you still have one of the very best weekends on the VW calendar anywhere. Traders, Clubs, Magazines and individual visitors have been full of praise for VW Action. If is not an event you usually visit, it really is worth giving the 2012 event a try.
SHOW & SHINE/CONCOURS PRIZE MONEY
VW Action has always been at the forefront of Show & Shine/Concours events. For many years Action has been a leader, not a follower. A few years ago, the show broke with the tradition of a class based structure, for one simple reason. Too many great cars were leaving without a trophy, especially in the most hotly contested classes. The 'Top Twenty' format at Action has now been taken up by many other shows, as it is the means by which the greatest numbers of the most worthy cars are rewarded with a trophy. In 2010, we made another major change with PRIZE MONEY being offered in all of Sunday's air and water cooled classes and we are continuing this for 2012. Last year it was really nice to see so many winners donating their cheques to Brad's Cancer Foundation - VW Action's chosen charity - we applaud those that did. The Show & Shine Concours takes place on Sunday, with Saturday being reserved for the Everyday Vehicle Concours. None of the show car competitions at VW Action have an entry charge, so if your car attracts admiring glances, be sure to enter in the appropriate free Show & Shine competition - you could even leave better off than you arrived! And don't forget, the kids are included too. Check out the Children's Show & Shine info. If you haven't built or customised your child's Bike, radio flyer or whatever, there's still time.
VW Action has over the last several years delivered some of the best Drag Racing action at any VW show, including VW night racing featuring mainland Europe's top VWs alongside cars from the VWDRC, the most successful single make drag racing club in Europe and clubs like the SAS Rennwagens, Green Hearts, A.C.E. and D.K.R. amongst others. The dragstrip will once again host the BWA v USB (Buses With Attitude v Ultimate Street Bays) too. The first VW event at a UK Dragstrip, the 1987 Bug Jam featured just four 'demo' cars, to give VW enthusiasts some idea of what drag racing was all about, but VW Action 2012 features another awesome array of the very quickest cars the sport has to offer. This has been made possible by the fact that VW Action is the week before the 'European Finals', and a number of cars have taken the opportunity to get some testing in before they race in earnest the following weekend. There will be Top Fuel cars capable of running the quarter-mile in less than 5 seconds and at speeds in excess of 300mph. You will also be able to check out the fastest 'doorslammers' around, and many other full-on V8 drag racers, testing for the next weekend. Throughout Saturday this year you will be able to test and tune your own car on the dragstrip, during the 'run what you brung' (RWYB) sessions, just remember to bring your driving licence. (There is an additional signing on fee to take part in this activity.)
So, if you are visiting VW Action to show or race your car, to spend the weekend with fellow VW enthusiasts, to trade or buy parts, to party, or even all of the above, please click on the buttons on the left and check out the website to see pictures, video, and get more detailed information about elements of the show which is shaping up to be the best VW Action of modern times. Even better than last year! VW Action 2012 is at Santa Pod Raceway, from Friday 31st August to Sunday 2nd September. Don't forget your blue suede shoes!
Owners of Show Cars and/or Race Cars from mainland Europe
should CONTACT US for details of travel assistance.
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A few comments received about VW Action 2011
"There simply wasn't another event like VW Action during the 2011 show season. It's out there on its own, for all the right reasons." - Volksworld Magazine
"VW Action may well be the longest running UK VW event, but that doesn't mean it's over the hill! Sure, the show may be older than some of the attendees, yet it has always moved with the times - and is still a firm family favouritte." - Ultra VW Magazine
"The team behind this year's VW Action had every right to be happy. The 'new' home for the VW Action of today certainly works, with the added attraction of the world famous Santa Pod dragstrip, there's always something going on." - Volksworld Camper & Bus Magazine
"Just really wanted to say thanks to Bri and all the organisers of VW Action, it was epic, really good way to end the 'Pod VW show season! It was such a well organised and interesting show."
"Thanks for such an awesome show, my favourite weekend of the year by far!"
"Well done to you and the team Brian. Once again VW Action is the show amongst shows!"
"It was an awesome weekend (and according to my work colleagues I look like sh*t today, so that's always a good sign of a fab weekend!) As I put on FB - my face hurts from laughing so much, my throat hurts from singing so much, my head hurts from too much grog and my feet hurt from dancing on a table for half the night whilst wearing knee high boots and a pirate outfit! Carlsberg don't do weekends, but even if they did I doubt they could top this one!"
"Awesome job setting up and running the show. The team's effort are a huge part of why Action is a must attend for me."
"I had a piratetastic time and was very proud of and amazed by the efforts people made in contributing towards and celebrating this unique and fantastic show. Thank you to the Captain, crew and all us scurvy ridden landlubbers who make it happen. Yarr!"
"Much prefer the layout of Action, best show i have attended at the Pod."
"Thanks to the team, excellent show and my partner's first weekend VW show and her 10 year old daughter's. They had great fun and the Mrs felt secure enough to let Elle wander on her own sometimes, which is a major achievement. We'll be back next year for sure."
"In the nearly 6 years since I bought my first Bay I've done a lot of shows and a lot of camping weekends with people who I'd die for, but I can without any shadow of doubt say that VW Action was THE best weekend I have ever had."
"I've been going to Action for years at various locations & personally I think its better than ever at the Pod, one of the best shows of the year in my humble opinion!"
"I had a great weekend, I think the good thing about Action is that if you don't want to watch the Drag Racing you don't have to. Everything that was at the other venues is still at the Pod with the way they set out the arena, so it is like a static show that happens to have a drag strip next to it."
"Action was the first VW show I ever went to and I still enjoy going. Looking forward to going next year."
"It was the best show I have attended in 20 years of going to shows."
"I would like to complain as my face still hurts from all the laughing and smiling I did all weekend."
"The camping was well organised and peaceful at night. We spent a great weekend with good friends old and new. The food stalls were decent and not too expensive. The daily show and shines were full of cars I'd never seen before and well worth a wander round."
"Great weekend, end of!"
"My first time at Action, first time at the Pod and my son's first time at any VW event, we both had a great time, the racing was entertaining, the boy nearly s**t when the top fuel motors ran for the first time and he was blown away by Fireforce. We were planning our next show on the way home."
"This is one of my favourite shows of the year and this year was the best its been... I think this is a great chilled out show to take your family to as its not as manic as some of the others, so it gets nothing but good reviews from me."
"Overall, I took in about a third of the programme and have no idea how I'd manage to see it all in a weekend. I'll go back next year, that's for sure."
"Action is my fav show reminds me of the Bug Jams of old. There is a little bit of everything, we had a great time and will be there again next year for sure. First time our club did club camping, everybody was really helpful from the time we came through the gate, even up to the point we were set up, coming over and checking we were OK and asking if we had enough room."
"THANKYOU to everyone involved with the organising, set up, take down, running of it all and all that... TOP JOB as always!"
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