Volks Fest 2004
 
     
  A New Venue - Wigley Reserve  
 

Preparation

Volksfest is put on each year by the Volks Enthusiasts Club of SA Inc. Activities this year ran from Friday 5th to Sunday 7th November. The Festival Dinner was held at Cafe 82, Littlehampton of Friday Evening. A cruise out to the drags at Adelaide International Raceway was planned for Saturday; however the rain forced the cancellation of the event and with it the planned VW bracket. A highlight for the committee was the first public display of the Club Kombi in Dove Blue livery.
 

Wigley Reserve 7th November 2004

The 2004 event was held at Wigley Reserve, Glenelg SA. The change form the previous venue - Colley reserve - was due to construction works adjoining the site and the local council's need to get the site ready for a high profile foot race.

The weather on the day was the biggest worry - with showers predicted. Fortunately one of our generous sponsors - Paint Supplies SA - had volunteered his premises as an alternative venue should it be too wet to use Wigley Reserve. Fortunately the weather held out, with only a light sprinkle early in the day.

The crew responsible for picking up the Club Kombi had an early start, assembling at North East Powder Coaters to load the van at 6:30. This was followed by a careful drive to "The Bay". Activities started on site at 7:30 am, with the arrival of those tasked with marking out the grounds and putting up the tents. A strong turnout of helpers made the task simple. By 9:00 the ground was ready, the Cafe running and Marshals at the gate ready to greet the entrants.

 

The Cars

Volksfest 2004 saw a turn out of over 70 cars. One of the real surprises was the number of cars which we had not seen before. Adam DeBiasi's green beetle was on display, this year wearing a set of skinny front wheels and tyres to help reduce friction during the 1/4 mile run.

The Club Kombi was on display - for the first time in its Dove Blue livery. The crew plan to drive the bus down to the 2005 Festival. By then the temporary magnetic club signs will have been replaced by permanent sign writing courtesy of Kruger Signs.

Rat Look was a new category for 2005. A real crowd pleaser was Andrew & Steven in the "Rude Rat", a 61 Single Cab ute which featured a galvanised iron tray, mock NOS bottle, slammed front end, white walls and matching period bicycle. The overall Kombi count was well up on previous years, with plenty of splitties and Bays. Dave Dirk's recently completed Blue on White Splittie was another welcome addition - especially as its being used as a daily driver.

Type three's were well represented, with some very clean notches and Fastbacks.

There were Beetle's aplenty. Great to see Barry Lord's Split on the ground. Barry drove one car down, rode his bike home then returned with another; only to repeat the process at the end of the day. Add to that the fact that he donated his work T4 Ute to the club to use for the day as a carry all.

 
 

The crowd

Visitor numbers on the day were high, with plenty of Volkswagen enthusiasts being joined by curious members of the public. The Volkscafe crew were kept busy all day feeding and watering the assembled masses. Even the general public - those who can recognise a beetle as a Volkswagen but that's about all - could appreciate the quality of the cars on display.

 
 

Trophy Winners

To broaden the appeal of the event, the Club added a number of extra "General" trophies: Best Engine, Best Paint, Best Rat Look, Best Daily Driver. These complemented the traditional Concourse awards for best standard and custom. Prize winners on the day were:

 
 

Concourse Standard 1st Place (Lords Manor Builders) - Tony Mudge, Type 1

Concourse Standard 2nd Place (Solitaire Motors) - Paul Roberts, Type 1

Concourse Custom 1st Place (Intervolks) - Ian Klinberg

Concourse Custom 2nd Place (Cartek) - Brendan Staples, 1967 Type 1

Concourse Under 10 years Standard (Volksauto) - Matt Downey, 1977 Golf

Concourse Under 10 years Custom (Advanced Motor Sport Tuning) - ..

Best Engineered (Paint Supplies) - Asher Johnson

Roy Williams Trophy (VEC) - David O'Connor, "KAFFER, Type 1

Best Unfinished Project (Shannons Insurance) - Peter DeBiasi, Single Cab T2 Ute

Best Display (Kruger Signs) - Richard Barwa, Country Buggy.

Sound Off (Tisonics) - Brandan Staples, 1967 Type 1

Best Interior (Volkscare) - Rob Gilbert, Karmann Ghia

Coolest Ride (Volksfactory) - Rowdy, Type 1

Best on Vintage Reg (Volksfactory) - Tony Mudge, Type 1

Best Rat Look (Volkscare) - Aaron Thompson, Type 1

Best paint (North East Powder Coaters) - Brandan Staples, 1967 Type 1

Best Engine (VSI Imports) - David O'Connor, "KAFFER, Type 1

Peoples Choice (VEC) - "Rowdy" in his modifed black Beetle..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Thanks

The Volks Enthusiasts Club of SA cordially thanks its sponsors, without whom the event could not be held. Members are encouraged to check out the companies listed above and patronise their business when ever possible. Special thanks also to the committee and office bearers for their tireless efforts in putting the show together and to all who brought their cars along - both local and interstate.

 
 

 

  
 

 
 

 
  News: Our VolksFest 2004 DVD containing hundreds of images from the festival is now on sale. Contact our Merchandise Officer for details on how to secure your copy: merchandise@volksenthusiasts.org.au, or come along to our next meeting