Circuit de Chimay is a scenic road course nestled in the Southern Belgian countryside, just a few miles from the French border near the quaint town of Chimay. Every other year since 2007, this small town, renowned for its Trappist Monk Beer Brewery, transforms into the backdrop for the European Bug-In.
The event celebrates all air-cooled Volkswagen models, offering 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 at the end of last month, I headed to Belgium for its 10th running.
The original Bug-In began in the USA in October 1968, with its inaugural edition organized by Vic Wilson at the Orange County International Raceway in Irvine, California. Focused on era-popular modified and hot-rodded Beetles and Buggies, the show quickly found success. Volkswagen enthusiasts and car clubs across the United States flocked to the event, which soon gained sponsorship from well-known VW tuning brands including EMPI, Auto-Haus, and SCAT.
This wasn’t your typical car show as we know them today. It was a vibrant event where competition and camaraderie took center stage.
Drag Racing was a highlight, featuring the nation’s fastest Volkswagens over the quarter mile, as was the Slalom course. Then there was the Show ‘n’ Shine, which recognized the event’s best Volkswagens over several categories including Vintage and Custom. There was even a tongue-in-cheek ‘Worst of Show’ award presented.
For 15 consecutive years, these shows took place twice annually – once in spring and once in fall – culminating in the 31st and final Bug-In held in October 1983. Following the closure of the Orange County International Raceway, the Bug-In was resigned to the history books.
With the show’s previous editions serving as their inspiration, Freddy and Mike decided to bring this concept to Europe. To live up to the Bug-In legacy, they needed a venue with ample space and potential, which they found at Circuit de Chimay. This 4.5km (2.8mi) street course, primarily used for motorcycle races since 1926, hosted the inaugural European Bug-In in 2007, uniting VW enthusiasts from across the continent and even the United States.
The front straight now serves as the event’s entrance, featuring the iconic red Chimay bridge and a paddock for drag cars. The infield includes a large swap meet where enthusiasts and vendors 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 circuit’s back straight transforms into a quarter-mile drag strip. While the track surface isn’t conducive to personal best ETs, the drag racing is still a great spectacle featuring everything from street-legal, souped-up 1.6L Beetles to fully-built drag cars boasting wild flat-four engine setups.
A vintage twin-engined dragster debuted at this year’s event thanks to a showdown organized by the Belgian Drag Racing Association (BDRA) and Dutch Hot Rod Association (DHRA) to determine the event’s fastest car.
Among the exhibition highlights was Oklahoma Willy, a jet-engined single-cab split Bus that blew everyone away (not literally, thankfully) with its sheer power.
The burnout pit saw plenty of action, a patina-covered T1 Transporter winning the audience over. Another crowd favorite was the famous orange-and-black Initial Cox Beetle, expertly piloted by its French driver and turning tire rubber to smoke at every opportunity.
Despite heavy rain on Saturday dampening the racing activities, VW off-roaders reveled in the mud.
Meanwhile, the Show ‘n’ Shine area presented a stunning array of VWs, showcasing various styles and eras. Awards were given in categories including Old Speed, Custom, Vintage, and Coolest Exhaust.
A hallmark of these air-cooled shows is the sprawling campsites packed with Buses, Beetles, and Buggies. It’s not just about showcasing or competing in your Volkswagen; it’s about the journey and the camaraderie of fellow enthusiasts, a sentiment often overlooked in other automotive sub-cultures.
If you have any interest in air-cooled VWs, make sure you mark European Bug-In #11 on your 2025 calendar. Just be sure to pack shorts and a poncho, because, as my experience from attending six editions has shown, it’s either scorching hot or pouring rain – there is no middle ground.
Collin Tiemens
Instagram: collinclicksphotos
There were very important cars that were in the Cal Look area. One of them was a replica of Dean Kirsten's (Hot VWs photographer) first car. It has extremely rare and important parts on it like the Dean Dyno Soars aluminum wheels. Maybe one of these days you can go on the Cal Look Caravan from Germany to EBI.
There sure where some very special "legendary" cars there but it is very hard to cover them all at an event this big.
I can only imagine how big it's become over the years. Seems like I hear more and more people at the California Bug In talking about it
Even with the rain this year the campside was packed.
Infestation of air-cooled goodness!
I've always really appreciated the mix of styles when it came to classic vw culture
Thanks! I always enjiy seeing the incredible variety in styles and builds on basicly "the same car" at aircooled events.
Awesome coverage
Two Ghias at the entire event? Really?!
No there where way more gias i just didnt get a chance to shoot every car there as there are 500+