GTI Festival

Santa Pod Raceway
11th July 2004

  
GTI Festival is one of those events I have always managed to miss out on for one reason or another. So this year I was positive that I would make the effort. After a lonesome journey down the A12, I was looking forward to some company on the main journey to Santa Pod, after all the best part of being in this community is the eventfulness of the journeys too and from such events. Joining me at Brentwood services was Ben and Jeff in Bens Mk2, shortly followed by Tris and Nicki in the black Lupo (unfortunately the racer was still not ready for a j29 trip out). Ben had discovered on the way that his indicators were not working and set to fiddling about. We left with the problem still perplexing Ben (Who needs indicators ha…Pola!)
On arrival we managed to blag some spaces with No-Rice mainly due to a quick think from Tris but we must say a big thanks to Nicky and Alex for this.
Santa Pod has to be said to have the ultimate quarter-mile, in which to really give your Dub a good spank. This year was no exception as the queue’s of cars being pushed along towards the start line never seemed to stop and by the look on most peoples faces there were some good times being run.
One thing that really set this off was the mix of full on modified cars such as the drag strip Corrado but also some fine standard motors. After International had been a bit on the damp side it was good to see some full on cars such as Gareath Spiller’s Red 2.8 24v Vento as previewed in (PVW June 04) sounding sweet and giving it some on the strip. But for the main event It was the Drag Corrado and something a bit more flame Grilled !!! That got us going. But more about that later.
Justin had already made his way up earlier in order to join some of the Vr6 forum Bods and was doing his bit for J29 with Betty proudly sporting her J29 plates. Although it must be said we miss a bit of engine bay bling!!!!
After a scout round the various club stands, traders and the auto jumble, the main event had to be the quarter-mile run of the Jet car ‘FIREFORCE 2’ it truly blew us away (and a few others I think).
The noise as it was prepared and the pulses of booms were one thing, but for those in the rear stand behind the strip were treated to a full on smoke screen. It edged its way forward towards the famous Pod traffic lights, I think it was the noise as much as it was the take off that blew us away. But with a top speed of 252mph and a quarter-mile time of sub six seconds I think it was Tris who was amazed to capture what must be either the most skilful or fluky picture of the cars afterburner in full effect.
In true Junction29 fashion this left us feeling exhausted and refreshments were in order and was the perfect opportunity to go round the show and shine and find out what was causing all the heated debates. Among the cars was Danny Allen’s old show winning orange Mk1. Also Danny and his forever changing white Mk1 Cabrio, which now looks very sweet so no doubt we will see him at some time on one of our monthly meets. But for obvious reasons it was the dark blue Mk2 of Simon Sweetland that took all six trophies in the show and had everyone’s tongues wagging. Many may remember this car from a chocolate advert a good few years back and when I last seen the car at GTI International Swindon it had a fine polished 16v unit but now boasts a chromed/polished 20v turbo unit, small colour coded bumpers, rally lights and just so much attention to detail.
One of the most memorable cars of the show had to be the matt black Polo painted in blackboard paint. With several sticks of chalk lined up on the bonnet air vents it became a big message board for all kinds of abuse including shopping lists, but ultimately it was gagging for a junction29 tag. With our web address tattooed on the car other clubs soon copied the idea. The interior was also a interesting affair, Tris commented “you must see this interior its pure sex” well your not wrong with wall to wall top shelf picks - Retro Porn eat your heart out. I would have loved to have seen some of the looks this got on the drive home (Any one got a rubber handy?).
Overall despite being a bit grey and cool the weather held out and Festival proved a good day out with a very relaxed atmosphere there was plenty for most vw enthusiasts. All we had to do was fight the traffic home from the grand prix.
Words by Joe, pictures by Tris & Justin.