Show preparations are just half the fun
There are quite a few things that come to mind when we hear about the Appalachian Mountains - hiking, rafting, camping and the occasional spirited drive along US 129, better known as the Tail of the Dragon. But leave it to the crew of H2O Tuning to give us a reason to head that way every spring.
Nestled in the Appalachian Foothills, just 90 miles Northeast of Atlanta, resides the former logging town of Helen, GA. Revitalized as a quaint Bavarian Alpine town it has traditional Bavarian-inspired architecture and a windmill, there's also a slew of German restaurants and watering holes, while local law enforcement vehicles and personnel are emblazoned with Polizei.
Just some of the great scenery you find in Helen, GA
While the small town is a mere speck on the map, what it lacks in size it more than made up for in warmth. At the culmination of what was a pleasant 90min cruise through the winding Georgia mountain roads, taking in the spectacular scenery, we arrived at our destination.
Immediately we understood why the founders of Southern Worthersee, Matt Bounds and Chris Cooley of H2O Tuning, had chosen this location to host their VW/Audi show. From the friendly faces at the Helendorf River Inn, to the more than ideal 70 degree weather, our gut told us we were in for a real treat.
V-Donk. One of the most original cars at the show
Arriving a day early, we were able to partake in the pre-show activities, most of which involved Jgermeister, beer, hot cars, laughter, Roman candles and a cast of amicable people.
Judging by the quality of the cars that invaded this small town and the number of attendees who arrived the day prior to the show, we were excited to see what was in store for the next day.
A young show among a barrage of older, more experienced shows, SoWo is a breath of fresh air. In only its second year, we were pleased to see how many people had traveled a significant distance to attend the show.
Every car should come with it's own pit crew
The morning began with a short drive to the show venue (an empty parking lot in the middle of town). We were greeted by a group of friendly H2O Tuning members, who instructed us where to park and informed us about the days' activities. Vendors had already began setting up their booths and, little by little, many unique and carefully crafted Dubs began to fill the parking lot - from air-cooled, to air-ride.
A couple of hours later, just when you thought no more cars could fit, show coordinator Chris got a phone call. On the other end was a member of Atlanta's Drty Dbs, letting him know they were ten miles outside of town with a 70-car caravan. The show staff hastily hatched a plan to introduce the mass of cars, and within several minutes all had somehow squeezed in.
SoWo wouldn't be complete without one
After several hours, showgoers were summoned to the event tent for the evening's award ceremonies. Instead of trophies, authentic bier steins were awarded. Best of show went to Jeff Bynum and his boosted Mk3 VR6 Harlequin. And in a close second was Gayle Bigham and her flawless Type 3 Squareback (which is not her boyfriend's, by the way!). Awards were also given for Biggest Club Representation, which Drty Dbs won by a landslide, and Furthest Distance Traveled, landed Matt Wright from Southampton, England at the top.
Sweet Southern Squareback
As the show wound down, attendees made their way back to their hotels to prepare for the night's festivities, which were split between Big Daddy's Tavern and the parking lot at the Helendorf River Inn. What better way to finish off a day in the warm Georgia sun than with booze and schnitzel?
The following morning, after a Devotional lead by Wayne Bynum and his family, a group of Dubs headed for the winding mountain roads of the Appalachians for a spirited 40-mile mountain drive. This marked the official end of SoWo 2008 and the great weekend.
If you were unlucky not to make it, don't forget to mark your calendars for May 16-17, 2009, as this is one of the fastest growing VW/Audi shows on the East Coast.
We'll have a more timely report from this year's event, and you can find many more photos from our 2008 report online at www.eurotuner.com