Its all about the Ups & Downs
20th July 2010
This past weekend, a few of us decided to head out to what is fast becoming (at least in our minds) the finest dubber show on the continent - MIVW.
I actually bought myself a new car a month or so back, and decided I wanted to get it sitting appropriately for the journey. I ordered my suspension, and picked up some wheels. From that point onward, its been a rollercoaster, but more about that later.
Ben (Rodders) drove down to Northampton with Jay and we all left Saturday morning at around 5am. We left pretty much on time, and began the cruise on down to the train.
Roads were clear, weather was looking promising, generally speaking it couldn't have been an easier drive. We arrived at Folkestone, briefly ran into Darren (G-Werks) and Jay (Players) and boarded the train in a totally uneventful manner.
No, that's a lie. Everyone else boarded the train in an uneventful manner. Me? I boarded the train, really carefully. However, I should qualify that statement. It wasn't carefully enough. Pulling into the train, I managed to mount the rail, and slip off it.
I took off a chunk of really shiny chrome and clear powdercoat, the coating id plumped for, because it would be easy to care for, because its really hardwearing. I can't tell you the completely gutting feeling that hit me. Terrible.
We all managed to get off the train the other side without trouble, and we decided to stop at the first petrol station on the e40 in Belgium, and wait for Lesta (in the viper green scirocco) to catch us up.
En route, Lesta had left the tunnel, and got us a message. He'd managed the same as me. Front nearside, touched the kerb.
Whilst stopped, we also saw the G-Werks crew boys again, along with Jay's Mk2 up in the air. We didn't realise at the time, but what happened is... his wheel had rubbed all the way through one of his rear airbags. I'm not trying to relive the pain for Jay, but that is what I mean - Ups, and Downs.
The rest of the drive was fairly uneventful (except for Simon constantly hitting the floor with the subframe in the mk4) - but as you approach where you are trying to get to - and as you get the sense that you're getting close - you start getting excited.
We parked up, booked in, and trundled down for a dub experience that we all wait for - sun, cleaning cars, chilling out, and drinking a cold beverage or two.
A true high point which I'm sure many will attest to - was cleaning up outside the NH hotel, and just relaxing while you cleaned your car. I managed one better, watching someone else clean their car after you just spilled beer on it (sorry Jim).
I'm not sure I could say much about the MIVW event that hasn't yet been said, but ill try and sum up my feelings of the show addressed to Cor, Emiel, Ron, Annette, Robert, all the guys without exception. You guys excelled yourself this weekend, you did yourselves proud, you did the whole VW community proud. Hold your heads up high!
Now. Back to the matter at hand. Ups & Downs. It wasn't just me kerbing a wheel, it wasn't just Jay bursting a bag, there was Russ who lost a tyre, there was Colin with alternator dramas, apparently one of the DubClub guys had a little accident, and in all likelihood, I'm just scratching the surface.
Here's the point though; Ask any of those guys, I really doubt that any of them would say they wish they hadn't gone.
A trip like this can be great, or it could be bad. It's all in the Ups & Downs. Kerbing wheels that have been on the car less than 24 hours is a down. Losing a tyre, or splitting an airride bag, is a down. However, put this against the huge UP of attending one of the finest VW shows europe has to offer (full stop!), and the weekend can only go down as legendary.
by Stephen S