Drew Dorbitz '08 Eos on Rotiform NUE wheels with Mason Tech front bags, AccuAir E Level, t
Now in its 14th year, H2O International is undoubtedly the most popular VW event on the calendar. Its combination of the best cars, beach location and laid-back nightlife make it the best weekend of the year for most VAG aficionados. It’s certainly the event we can look forward to and, while it might not have the scale and number of vendors that Waterfest can muster, it definitely has an unbeatable atmosphere.
Even heavy rain didn’t deter hordes of water-cooled fans from making the annual pilgrimage to Ocean City on Maryland’s coast. By arriving in late September when most of the tourist trade has departed, the Veedub crowd overwhelms the town. Everywhere you look there are people sitting by the side of the road, every restaurant parking lot is a car show, larger lots become impromptu GTGs, and it’s all accompanied by the sweet VR6 serenade as an endless stream of VWs parade past. If we could create a JDM-free Euro state, this is what it would look and sound like. For one weekend, we rule the roost. It’s unlike anywhere else in the world except perhaps Wörthersee or Wolfsburg.
Inevitably, we can’t place all our photos here, so we’ll compile an online gallery of the cars that didn’t make it into the mag. It might take us a while to do this, but keep checking eurotuner.com or email us a reminder.
Of course, the show might not please everybody. If you’re against the stance crew on air-ride with lots of poke, H2O will boil your blood. More so than ever before, the majority of show cars had gone this route, dropped on their frame rails, but able to raise themselves over the curbs and mud to leave the showground.
Located alongside Air Lift was Rotiform – the two companies owning H2O 2011 with their cutting-edge products. A few years ago, industry experts were predicting the decline of the wheel market, but enthusiast-led firms like Rotiform and fifteen52 are proving that products targeted at like-minded customers can sell.
The Eos wore forged Rotiform VCE wheels, sits on air and had snakeskin leather interior. W
Interestingly, it seems to have broken the stranglehold BBS held for many years, although the RS wheels were still to be found under a large number of cars because quality never gets old.
The vendor areas were dominated by software giants Unitronic and APR vying for attention with new products and show cars. Some of APR’s big-turbo kits definitely grabbed attention, but Unitronic’s Project A3 and the Mk5 Caddy in their booth grabbed the headlines.
With the Mk6 Jetta and new Passat available for almost a year, it was slightly worrying to see so few examples at the show. Again APR had perhaps the best of the Jettas, and Ian Avilla from VW/Audi having the best/only Passat Wagon. Considering the Jetta is VW’s bread and butter, it must be slightly worrying to see it making such little impact in the scene, and we’ll be fascinated to see how many new Beetles arrive next season. Yet this was also the year the Eos came good, so there’s hope yet!
Aside from that, H2O was the usual mix of home-built specials (with rust cars making a minor comeback) to big-budget ballers. The diversity of modifications and styles keeps the scene fresh and means there a niche for every wallet, fad and desire.
We didn’t get a chance to speak to many readers this year, but thanks to everybody who continues to support eurotuner. Don’t forget to visit eurotuner.com and youtube.com/eurotuner for our H2O video.