Bug-In - Not Quite Dead

[Lids]

when shit like this happens and you have to either let the event die or try and put on a show you can never please all the people.

If you only went for the racing then find another event to watch.

If you liked the static show and meeting your mates and having a laugh then go anyway.

If it is closer or further away than normal, bollocks go anyway.

[Russell]

As a club, DKP decided (during the latest club meeting) to support the Bug-In by organizing a “Pre-Bug-In Cruise Night” at Nick’s, whatever the Bug-In's outcome.

And as far as Irwindale, my $.02… Picture yourself in Rich Kimball’s shoes. As a promoter, wouldn't you try to still “save” your event? Why take the risk of waiting another year, knowing that Fontana Speedway will probably never build the wall required by the judge?

I don’t see it being a problem using the name “Bug-In” for the April 29 event. Today’s Bug-Ins have nothing to do with the ’68 to ’83 Bug-Ins anyway. (The European Bug-In is arguably much closer in spirit to these original Bug-Ins). Today’s Bug-Ins run their own course, even though this year might call for no racetrack.

We should still make the effort to support the event, race or not. Clubs should have barbecues or potlucks, and just enjoy the camaraderie. More than ever, the hobby needs our support.

Stephan, I agree.

But if your a European or from the Far East, we have to spend a considerable amount of money and time to make it for a 1 day event and whilst we realise the event is not the same as the legendary Bug Ins. It still needs top have the basic ingredients; but its easy if you live an hour away to go and then leave at 12 when you've had enough, however if you've traveled 5000 miles for 6 hours of a show its just not the same.

Would it not be better to try and have a sort of European Bug In Style every 2 years rather than this 1 day event or if its every year make it the week before classic and then you will get people coming for the week and not just a day, i feel the same about a classic, get up at OMG its early and by midday people are leaving, again OK if you live close.

I also fully understand Rich's postion and and i feel for him as he will have laid out money to promote the event etc, however its either a Bug In or its not.

Just my2pence....

Russell

[Rick Meredith]

Susy, Stephan and Russell all bring up great points.

I'm not thrilled about going to Irwindale.

I'm not happy with the possibility of no drag racing

I understand there are substancial costs in coming here for those coming long distances and maybe this is a year where you may want to plan differently. As an OC local, I really enjoy seeing and meeting people from outside the area... and especially outside the US. While I understand your decision, you will be missed.

I don't think that going to an every other year format would have been of much benefit when I consider the obstacles that Rich & crew have this year.

If this was a "planned" change I think I would feel differently about the "Is this a Bug-In or not?" question. This is more Rich trying to make the best of a pretty crappy situation and I think he should be supported.

I'd rather have 60% of a Bug-In than 0% of a Bug-In.


While DKK hasn't really discussed this in depth, I anticipate that we will be there in force just as in years past.
Myself and my wife will be there.

[Zach Gomulka]

get up at OMG its early and by midday people are leaving

That's not a Bug-In thing, that's every fucking car show in the country!
I agree that having it every other year (opposite of EBI), would make the event more special. I don't know if having it the weekend before Classic is a good idea...
The only thing I don't like about this years Bug-In (other than waking at 5 ayem), is that I won't be there.

Have fun everyone!

[Jason Foster]

Thank you to Rich and I believe Ron for giving us somewhere to hangout with all our likeminded friends on April 29th.  If there's racing awesome I will run if not Awesome It will be a great time hanging out with friends enjoying our Hobby!

 

[Russell]

Rick/Jason


Yes i agree, but just thinking of the bigger picture, I'm sure you know my feelings on Ron Fleming and they are much the same for Rich Kimble, anyone who has given so much to our VW hobby should be supportred whenever possible its just harder 5000 miles away. (for the benefit of any doubt they are both fantastic guys)

Another point to note, whilst the world is financially hurting and when the likes of the tracks are struggling we do need to rally round our local shows, promoters and suppliers as without them, there would be no hobby or scene..... the main difference that this is these guys livelyhood. So if you can go you should go and if you wont go (silly you) and if you cant go (unlucky).

[Rennsurfer]

Thank you to Rich and I believe Ron for giving us somewhere to hangout with all our likeminded friends on April 29th.  If there's racing awesome I will run if not Awesome It will be a great time hanging out with friends enjoying our Hobby!

More quoting for more truth.

[Donny B.]

You might want to check this out...

http://www.facebook.com/events/320081798055949/

[Russell]

Had a call from Ron Fleming today and hope to hear some positive news latter this week, fingers crossed

[Jason Foster]

So if you can go you should go and if you wont go (silly you) and if you cant go (unlucky).

   More quoting for more truth.   

[WCB Hitler's Hot Rod]

Had a call from Ron Fleming today and hope to hear some positive news latter this week, fingers crossed

EvEn MoRe QuOtInG aNd EvEn MoRe TrUtH...

[Jason Foster]

TrUE  DaT Yo!!

[WCB Hitler's Hot Rod]

STRAIGHT UP!! Ooohhh! I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE.....HAHAHAHAHA!!!

[edcraig]

WORD.......

....Ed

[Dan Mazur]

True dat!

[Greg G]

this might be good news...

http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_20217667/nu-way-industries-back-control-speedway

[DKK Ted]

This is very good news, maybe we will be racing after all. Will just have to wait and see.


Ted

[Cornpanzer]

Excellent news... no more hour plus drive to that horrible place known as Fontana. Now if we can only get O.C.I.R. put back.

Oh, yes..how terrible. A whole HOUR drive. How-do-you-do-it?!?!?    It must suck to have to drive an entire hour in order to enjoy one of the largest VW events on earth. And to deal with such terrible conditions as dust and (gasp) wind. Its hardly worth it.
You nancies would never make it in the Midwest. 

[danny gabbard]

Hell, They hardly make it in so-cal !

[Rennsurfer]

Excellent news... no more hour plus drive to that horrible place known as Fontana. Now if we can only get O.C.I.R. put back.

Oh, yes..how terrible. A whole HOUR drive. How-do-you-do-it?!?!?    It must suck to have to drive an entire hour in order to enjoy one of the largest VW events on earth. And to deal with such terrible conditions as dust and (gasp) wind. Its hardly worth it.
You nancies would never make it in the Midwest. 

Dave, I was being a trifle sarcastic... but there IS a little truth to that; thirty years ago, the Bug-In and Drag Day events were way closer to me at a much better facility. God, I miss O.C.I.R.

[Dan Mazur]

Excellent news... no more hour plus drive to that horrible place known as Fontana. Now if we can only get O.C.I.R. put back.

Oh, yes..how terrible. A whole HOUR drive. How-do-you-do-it?!?!?    It must suck to have to drive an entire hour in order to enjoy one of the largest VW events on earth. And to deal with such terrible conditions as dust and (gasp) wind. Its hardly worth it.
You nancies would never make it in the Midwest. 

Actually, it hasn't been close to being one of the largest VW events.  In decades.

[DKK Ted]

Excellent news... no more hour plus drive to that horrible place known as Fontana. Now if we can only get O.C.I.R. put back.

Oh, yes..how terrible. A whole HOUR drive. How-do-you-do-it?!?!?    It must suck to have to drive an entire hour in order to enjoy one of the largest VW events on earth. And to deal with such terrible conditions as dust and (gasp) wind. Its hardly worth it.
You nancies would never make it in the Midwest. 

Actually, it hasn't been close to being one of the largest VW events.  In decades.

Agreed! The Bug-In now days are cool, but not like the old days, and we hardly make it here in SoCal! NOT TRUE!   

[Rennsurfer]

Actually, it hasn't been close to being one of the largest VW events.  In decades.

Very true. The name is probably the most recognized, but there have been other bigger VW gatherings, for sure. I still hear people saying that they attended the old O.C.I.R. events that weren't even into VWs.

At any rate, I'm looking forward to seeing something happen at Irwindale along with some racing.

http://www.dragzine.com/news/nu-way-retakes-irwindale-speedway-dragstrip-first-order-of-business/

[WCB Hitler's Hot Rod]

Looking at all the strong Cal-look interest in Europe, makes me want to move across the pond. I completely agree that the old Bug In days of OCIR are not comparable to the ones of today IMO.

[bugnut68]

I can't imagine (I'm an Oregonian, mind you!) events even bigger than the Bug-Ins they've had so far at Fontana... as it is, the two I've been to in 2005 and 2008 I didn't see anywhere near the entire event because of sheer size.  My main interest is in drag racing and new vendor booths/parts, and that's pretty much what I saw.  With 600 odd show cars, I never saw the entire car show on either occasion, so I can only imagine how it must have been during the OCIR days.
Sacramento BOR is about all I can handle anymore, at least in terms of seeing/experiencing the entire event.

[larry mck]

I heard racing is a go at Bug In!

[Rennsurfer]

I heard racing is a go at Bug In!

You heard correctly.

[58vw]

yes racing at bug in!!awesome....and yes in so cal i think we been a little spoiled...miss OCIR...carlsbad

[TexasTom]

Excellent news... no more hour plus drive to that horrible place known as Fontana. Now if we can only get O.C.I.R. put back.

Oh, yes..how terrible. A whole HOUR drive. How-do-you-do-it?!?!?    It must suck to have to drive an entire hour in order to enjoy one of the largest VW events on earth. And to deal with such terrible conditions as dust and (gasp) wind. Its hardly worth it.
You nancies would never make it in the Midwest.  

I'm CERTAINLY not bitching or thinking I'm somehow high & mighty, but we normally (when we had Bug-Ins) had to drive 4-6 hours to attend events from my locale to Dallas or Houston areas. There were 4 events per year at the peaks (AWESOME!); two in each venue, one in spring and one in summer!
That backed down to 2 events and now ... NONE! Well, outside of the Texas Classic (which is Coming UP!!!  http://www.texasvwclassic.com/ ... See You There! ) and perhaps a few local to location show-n-shines.
What was the reason for the dwindle? PARTICIPATION!
I can remember showing up EARLY and having to wait in line for an hour or longer to get in the gates! ... ah, the good old days!
Towards the end, the show had fallen down to 40-50-60 cars, the swap meet was JUNK-for-sale, and the racing ... well, not much worth watching for the most-part, although I could've supported it more.

The point here is If You Want These Events To Continue, YOU HAVE AND NEED TO SHOW UP AND PARTICIPATE IN ANY AND EVERY CAPACITY POSSIBLE! That means YOU!
I'm not talking about getting in on General Admission, then parking close to the swap meet so you can carry over a few precious pieces and put them in with a friends display, or casually rolling into the show just to display because 'you're not interested in the competition' but still somehow Need To Be Seen, or getting a close spot in the pits so you can set up your grill (sorry, BarBQue is a term only usable to Texans ... sorry) so you can hang with your buddies and have a good time!
Pay to get in, Pay to Enjoy the Festivities, Pay to PARTICIPATE as much as You can, Buy A GD t-shirt, buy a dash plaque, Buy a hamburger, Show your Car if you'd like, THEN pay and take a few passes down the strip so you (and everyone else) can see if it still runs as well as You Say it DID WAY BACK WHEN, or just to enjoy the experience! That includes Club Displays!
Don't ride in like a parrot on the shoulder, EXPERIENCE what's before You and cut that place down with a broad-edged sword!
You're lucky to still have events like this AT ALL in Your area.
They only happen every SO OFTEN! Make a day of it!

Alright, whatever.
 
TxT

[2manytoys]

Great news that Bug-IN will be able to motor on with the sound of tires boiling in water box and 4th gears screaming though the traps! Rich and Ron...good work. April 29th I think. I will try and get down there with the Not So Ghetto.....

P-