Thursday 14th July 2016

Skoda Sunday Service: 17/7/16

Free ice cream, Scalextric and classic Skoda racing cars confirmed for our latest Sunday Service!

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With Le Mans and Goodwood now behind us, it's about time we got this show on the road once again! For our next Sunday Service we welcome yet another newcomer to the calendar, Skoda, who will be hosting us on the 17th of July.

The Skoda brand has gone from strength to strength in recent years and, after a great deal of brand and product development, can now be classed as a serious contender in the commercial market. Not to mention the international rally scene, where they won the 2015 WRC 2 Championship, beating the likes of Mitsubishi Ralli Art and Ford M Sport in the process. In August 2011 they even set a new land speed record for a production car when they reached a staggering 227mph in an Octavia vRS on the Bonneville Speedway!

This pursuit of speed has clearly found its way into the DNA of their current line of vRS road cars, with James' Octavia vRS 230 Estate delivering for both performance and practicality whenever called upon in its capacity as his current long-termer.

They are certainly pulling out all the stops for PH too, having made space available for 500 cars. The Skoda team will be on hand throughout the morning to answer any questions and discuss the vRS fleet, significant Skoda race cars on show. As if that's not enough, there will also be a large scalextric track with prizes for winners aswell as a Skoda Ice Cream Van handing out FREE ice-creams throughout the morning.

Details:
Date: July 17, 2016
Cost: Free: Haribo or Beer (if you're feeling generous)
Start time: 0830h
Finish: 1300h
Total places available: 500
Put your name down on the calendar here

Address is
3210 Heyford Park,
Camp Rd,
Upper Heyford,
Bicester,
OX25 5HD

[loudlashadjuster]

Dang. For once I actually drive the right make of car, but I'm away doing a bike thing that weekend.

[Miner49er]

If anyone fancies meeting up at Beaconsfield Services beforehand, the thread is here…

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[court]

That's quite a fleet centre... https://goo.gl/maps/YprmER6VbHt

Hope there's room for 500 more!

[lezdix]

Just up the road and I've already committed to Classics at the Castle at Sherborne!

[Kolbenkopp]

Hm. Can anyone ask Skoda if there are any plans for new vRS models? The Fabia is missed, and the 'Rapid' could use an engine fit for the model name. Rapid vRS with the running gear of the Polo/Ibiza would be nice (and VAQ while we are at it ).

To those that can attend: enjoy, sounds like a fun event!

[Master Bean]

Another one within an hours drive. Good work pistonheads

[ecsrobin]

I'm at work

[Contigo]

Darn , At Brooklands Supercar Sunday on this day!

[R33FAL]

only 130 sign ups after a full 3 days...

usually this would be full subbed by now! hmm

Not much love for the "thinking man's" VW

[frontmech]

Kolbenkopp said:

Hm. Can anyone ask Skoda if there are any plans for new vRS models? The Fabia is missed, and the 'Rapid' could use an engine fit for the model name. Rapid vRS with the running gear of the Polo/Ibiza would be nice (and VAQ while we are at it ).

To those that can attend: enjoy, sounds like a fun event!

As far as I'm aware, ŠKODA are only keeping the Octavia vRS model going. No plans for the vRS name to be used on any other models.

The Superb will get a 'Sportline' due this year, which will be more styling changes (like M-Sport / S-Line models) than a performance model.
Fabia has the Monte Carlo model, again more sporty in appearance than an actual performance model.

A shame really, considering the popularity of previous vRS models.

[Wardy5]

A Skoda SS?!

Looks like last week was the wrong week to sell my Yeti then!

Have fun everyone.

[Kolbenkopp]

frontmech said:

As far as I'm aware, ŠKODA are only keeping the Octavia vRS model going. No plans for the vRS name to be used on any other models.

The Superb will get a 'Sportline' due this year, which will be more styling changes (like M-Sport / S-Line models) than a performance model.
Fabia has the Monte Carlo model, again more sporty in appearance than an actual performance model.

A shame really, considering the popularity of previous vRS models.

Yup a shame. Just read the article on the fast Superb and there perhaps the badge would not fit. But missed opportunity for the rest of the range IMO. The fast Fabia is really missed.

And yes I know I keep banging on about a rapid 'Rapid', but that thing is in an awkward position anyway. Supposed to be a slightly bigger 'lifestyle' alternative to the Fabia, there is not really much in it function wise if you compare it to the cheaper Fabia estate. Could well do with the pretty decent 192 PS 1.8 they fit in the fast Polo/Ibiza on the same platform.

Also totally incomprehensible they are not even marketing that VRS label across all of their markets. In Germany e.g. a 'VRS' is called an 'RS'. Stupid way to market what has become a well received little niche brand of its own. Feels to me like they've been told to get out of SEAT's way so they can have the sporty/value part of the VAG brands...

[knight]

Mmmm free ice cream, I'm there

[wilbo83]

Looks to be the first SS that may be under subscribed. Do PH still send the weekly email? As this was how I learnt about previous SS but haven't received the email in weeks / months. Know there is a new system but think an email reminder would still help.

[Mr Tidy]

1 less now - nothing Skoda that "floats my boat"!

Latest "Rapide" seems to be chasing Kia/Hyundai buyers - nothing exciting IMHO so I'm out!

Maybe a learning exercise for the Skoda PR people! Car fans just can't be ar*ed!

[Craikeybaby]

Free ice cream sounds good, but will there be any bacon based breakfast available?

[MrC986]

rb5er said:

Think I may have to pull out if this doesn't fill up soon. I like looking at pher cars but have no interest in Skodas and so far attendance seems too low to bother making the journey.

It'll be a pity if you decide not to make it to the SS - there have been smaller entry lists at other SS & the weather looks set fair hopefully as well. I'm sure those prepared to make the effort will support the PH crew & the new hosts & Skoda shouldn't be underestimated these days.

[SpudLink]

Santa Pod was also under subscribed. I don't think there were many people signed up for the Zenos SS either, which was cancelled at short notice.
As I've said before they need to pin these events to the PH homepage so they get noticed by people who visit the site infrequently.

[IknowJoseph]

I'm subscribed, looking forward to it, maybe a smaller crowd will make people a bit more chatty!

My usual question - can I bring my dog??

[xjay1337]

Yup i agree needs to be emails or on the home page / forum stickies so its easier to see.

I'll be there!