[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/event-coverage\/bug-jam-2016\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/event-coverage\/bug-jam-2016\/","headline":"Bug Jam 2016","name":"Bug Jam 2016","description":"If you\u2019re into Volkswagens, particularly the iconic Beetle, then you really can\u2019t afford to miss Bug Jam. The self-proclaimed \u2018original and best VW festival\u2019 hit its 30th anniversary this year, so in Bug Jam organisers knew they had to make 2016\u2019s event a memorable one. And boy was it! Staged at Santa Pod from Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th July, Bug Jam\u2019s schedule consisted of drag racing, stunt displays, autojumble, comedy acts, a funfair and not to mention, five gig […]","datePublished":"2016-08-09","dateModified":"2016-08-10","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/feature-WM-3.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/feature-WM-3.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/event-coverage\/bug-jam-2016\/","about":["EVENT COVERAGE","SHOWS"],"wordCount":548,"keywords":["beetle","Bug Jam 2016","mk1 Golf","Santa Pod","vw","VW Doka","VW Thing","VW Variant"],"articleBody":"If you\u2019re into Volkswagens, particularly the iconic Beetle, then you really can\u2019t afford to miss Bug Jam.The self-proclaimed \u2018original and best VW festival\u2019 hit its 30th anniversary this year, so in Bug Jam organisers knew they had to make 2016\u2019s event a memorable one. And boy was it!Staged at Santa Pod from Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th July, Bug Jam\u2019s schedule consisted of drag racing, stunt displays, autojumble, comedy acts, a funfair and not to mention, five gig arenas with performances from Prince and David Bowie tribute acts. Easy may their musical genius rest.There were new additions to the event, such as the urban ninja obstacle course and Little Buggerz – an activity area for the under-tens with magicians, Punch & Judy shows and the chance to design your own tie dye t-shirts.This is all very pleasant, yes, but what about the cars? Oh, there were plenty of those…Over on the famous Santa Pod raceway, sat this black-as-night Beetle – driven by Sam Young. It was the fastest entry in the \u2018run what ya brung\u2019s’ non-road legal group, covering a quarter-mile in 9.6102 seconds, by which time it had reached 146.73mph.Elsewhere in the contest, Scott Oliver\u2019s VW Variant won the aircooled cars category (12.0205 seconds at 100.74mph), while Wayne Bradden\u2019s shabby-chic splitscreen panel van was the fastest to cross the line in the aircooled vans group.In the watercooled category, Thomas Parrott\u2019s mk1 Golf was the quickest car (12.0831 seconds at 120.90mph) and James Sharp\u2019s VW Doka topping the van group (15.5089 seconds at 88.74mph).The peculiar Chesterfield bench seating and lounge chairs in Lee Fullard\u2019s 1967 splitscreen van helped him secure the best interior trophy. Meanwhile, best off-road vehicle went to Mike Smith\u2019s 1974 VW Thing – really, that\u2019s what it\u2019s called. Well, that’s its name in the US anyway. Don’t judge us.Best van went to Jason Brogan\u2019s 1964 Type 2, while the much sought-after best Beetle prize went to Seaside Neil\u2019s 1956 Oval, which judges, said: \u201clooks every day as old as it is\u201d. Insightful.Sunday\u2019s show and shine naturally brought out the most gleaming VWs of the event – with Shaun Howe\u2019s candy red 62 Beetle claiming best of show – but the rest of Santa Pod was dotted with some of the most unique and equally cherished VWs.Bug Jam isn\u2019t all about VWs, it\u2019s not even all about cars because one of the biggest highlights of the show this year was the human-powered race, which saw hundreds of people try their hand at covering the Santa Pod\u2019s quarter mile, on foot.As these pictures suggest, it was mayhem but a whole lot of fun too, with some runners donning fancy dress for the occasion.It\u2019s likely that some of the people running on that raceway have attended all thirty Bug Jams. This is the kind of passion and dedication VW, and especially their Beetles, stir up in fans and there\u2019s no suggestion that attendees nor organisers are getting fed up any time soon.The 31st Bug Jam is expected to take place at Santa Pod as usual during July 2017, we hope you’re as excited as we are.Some of our favourite images from the weekend below: "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Event Coverage","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/event-coverage\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Bug Jam 2016","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/event-coverage\/bug-jam-2016\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]