Circuit de Chimay is a scenic road race in the southern Belgian countryside, just a few kilometres from the French border, near the picturesque town of Chimay. Since 2007, this small town, famous for its Trappist Monk Beer Brewery, has been transformed into the setting for the European Bug-In every year.
The event celebrates all air-cooled Volkswagen models and offers owners and fans a playground to explore their passion for these iconic vehicles. The European Bug-In has become one of my favorite events and late last month I went to Belgium for the 10th edition.
The original Bug-In began in the United States in October 1968, with the first edition organized by Vic Wilson at the Orange County International Raceway in Irvine, California. The show, which focused on popular modified and hot-rodded Beetles and Buggies, quickly became a success. Volkswagen enthusiasts and car clubs from all over the United States attended the event, which soon gained sponsorship from notable VW tuning brands including EMPI, Auto-Haus and SCAT.
This was not the typical car show we know today. It was a lively event where competition and camaraderie were key.
Drag racing was a highlight, with the fastest Volkswagens in the country racing the quarter mile, as was the Slalom course. And then there was the Show ‘n’ Shine, which recognized the best Volkswagens of the event in several categories, including Vintage and Custom. There was even a tongue-in-cheek “Worst of Show” award.
For 15 consecutive years, these shows were held twice a year – once in the spring and once in the fall – culminating in the 31st and final Bug-In in October 1983. After the closing of the Orange County International Raceway, the Bug-In faded into the history books.
Inspired by the show’s previous editions, Freddy and Mike decided to bring the concept to Europe. To live up to the Bug-In legacy, they needed a venue with enough space and potential, and they found it at Circuit de Chimay. Primarily used for motorcycle racing since 1926, the 4.5 km (2.8 mi) street circuit hosted the first European Bug-In in 2007, bringing together VW enthusiasts from across the continent and even the United States.
The main straight now serves as the event’s entrance, with the iconic red Chimay Bridge and a drag car paddock. The infield includes a large swap meet where enthusiasts and dealers offer new and used parts. There’s also a disco tent for late-night entertainment, a challenging muddy off-road course and the ever-popular burnout pit.
The main straight turns into a quarter-mile drag strip. While the track surface isn’t conducive to personal bests, the drag race is still a great spectacle with everything from street-legal, souped-up 1.6L Beetles to fully-built drag cars with wild flat-four engine setups.
This year, a classic twin-engine dragster made its debut at the event, thanks to a showdown organised by the Belgian Drag Racing Association (BDRA) and the Dutch Hot Rod Association (DHRA) to determine who was the fastest car at the event.
Highlights of the exhibition included: Oklahoma Willy, a single-cabin, jet-engined split-body bus that blew everyone away (thankfully not literally) with its sheer power.
The burnout pit saw plenty of action, with a patina-covered T1 Transporter winning over the crowd. Another crowd favourite was the famous orange and black Initial Cox Beetle, expertly driven by its French driver, turning the rubber of its tires into smoke at every opportunity.
Despite heavy rain on Saturday, which dampened racing activity, the VW off-roaders enjoyed the mud.
Meanwhile, the Show ‘n’ Shine area showcased a stunning array of VWs, spanning a range of styles and eras. Prizes were awarded in categories including Old Speed, Custom, Vintage and Coolest Exhaust.
A hallmark of these air-conditioned shows are the sprawling campgrounds filled with buses, beetles and buggies. It’s not just about showing off or competing in your Volkswagen; it’s about the journey and the camaraderie of fellow enthusiasts, a sentiment often overlooked in other automotive subcultures.
If you have any interest in air-cooled VWs, make sure to mark your calendar for European Bug-In #11 in 2025. Just make sure to pack your shorts And a poncho, because as my experience after six editions has taught me, it’s either boiling hot or pouring rain – there’s no middle ground.
Collin Tiemens
Instagram: collinclicksphotos
