Ok, it's a bit late and I know I should have got this report out earlier but with all that's been happening on the home and work front I have found it amazing that I can still find time to breath!

Still, here it is. And I thought I should get something online soon before Ian Blackett gives me a real telling off!

So, BugJam. It's difficult to describe what the Bug Jam is, put simply it's a VW festival. But it's a lot more than that and certainly a lot more than meets the eye!

The three/four/five day event, late nights blend into days and you lose track of how many days you've been there, is a lifestyle event. An event where the clock turns back to the seventies. And I don't mean the fashion but the almost hedonistic environment and atmosphere that was enveloping the place. And this wasn't drug related, oh no, this was an event where people were getting high on VW's. Campers, Beetles and VW's of all kinds.

However, there were a select few that were saying No! to VW narcotics known as 'Beetles' and 'Campers'! No, these select few were being kept firmly on the ground with their own brand of motor. The ever so loud and grunty sound of the V8. Because for the first time Sportsman ET were competing at the Bug Jam event.

During Friday Sportsman ET were arriving at the Pod and trying to locate a place to pit. Space was at a premium but somehow we all managed to fit in.

On Friday we all had a chance to take part in the RWYB. An ideal opportunity to test the track and the cars. I went out at midday and was surprised to run a 14.9 on my first outing. I was expecting a low 15 but not a dip into the 14's. The only other time I managed to get into the 14's was at the Easter Thunderball when the temperature had dropped very low. After discussing my run with a number of people we had a theory as to why I was so quick. Because the track wasn't prepared to racing standards, due to it being a RWYB, I got a bit of wheel spin when I launched causing the revs not to drop as much as it would have done if I had the grip. Therefore the car didn't get bogged down on the line and I got away quicker. Ironic isn't that I can go quicker on a unprepared track!

My second run of the day, an hour or so later, I managed to run a 15.2, more like it.

I didn't do any more runs that day as I wanted to conserve the fuel and just soak up the Bug Jam atmosphere. I knew that getting out of Santa Pod could be a very long process so I needed all the fuel I had!

Saturday morning and I decided to do a couple of test runs. Both produced close to 15.2 and gave me a good idea of what to dial in for the first round of qualifying that evening. My first qualifying run and I had dialed a 15.25 and broke out with a 15.21, close but not good. The second round and I chased the dial-in with a 15.21 and broke out again with a run of 15.06. The car was obviously running very well but maybe too well!

The third round of qualifying on Sunday morning and as I had yet to qualify I decided to dial-in on the safe side with a 15.00 and run a very safe 15.35. The fourth round I decided to stick with the same dial-in and run a very close 15.04. I had qualified but only in 8th place.

In to eliminations and I had been paired with Kevin Long. Kevin had said to me that he didn't fancy trying to get out of Santa Pod so jokingly I suggested he pull a red light and leave early. We pared up and I was surprised to see all the lights shine bright on my side of the strip. Kevin had pulled a red light!

My second round and I was facing Ian Jackson in his Chevy Camaro. I had dialed 15.15, Ian had dialed a 13.90 so left first. I was half way down the track and expecting Ian to appear to the left of me but he wasn't anywhere to be seen. I looked around and realised he was way back. I stomped on the brake but it was too late. I broke out with a 15.08 which was so quick. If I hadn't had stomped on the brake as hard as I had I suspect I would have been in the low 14's again. All weekend I was chasing my dial-in but didn't chase it hard enough.

So, out in the second round. I'm not racing now until the National Finals which no doubt means my 3rd place will go.

The final was won by Brian Huxley defeating Ian Jackson.

I would like to thank the team at Wild Cat Racing for looking after me when I arrived on Thursday evening to find there was no electricity. Their hospitality was very much appreciated. Thanks guys. Also a big thanks yet again to the Gecko Race team for their help over the weekend.

And a big thank you to Terry Haggis who stepped in to help out on the Sunday as Crew Chief.