- Roadtrip

All roads lead to Snowbombing 2011...

The eminently enjoyable exodus revs off from Lipscomb Volvo Maidstone dealership. All Snowbombers receive a full set of directions and a bunch of random tasks to complete en route... before heading south in a mass exodus across the Channel to Calais. Then onto an overnight refuel with frothy beer and tasty sausages before heading off the next morning for the snow-capped peaks of Austria... Upon arriving in the Alps, all the cars parade triumphantly right up the Haupt Strasse (high street to you girls) in Mayrhofen, the home of Snowbombing and party capital of the Alps...

The Snowbombing 'Driven by Volvo' Road Trip is NOT a race or a rally! – it's more a leisurely European adventure for up to five passengers per car. As any agony aunt will tell you, 'It's not how fast you can do it, it's all about the fun you have doing it' - So think camaraderie rather than competition, we enjoyed the view out of all the windows, not just the front one... after all, you know what they say, 'half the fun is getting there!'

"Those who fall for it return year after year, road trippin' across Europe in cars and smiling ear to ear for the whole six days"

The Daily Express

We equip you with everything you need to get there safe and sound:

• Road Trip decals and flags for your Car (turning the lamest ride into something Pimp)
• Drivers Manual - it outlines the route, tasks and pit stops
• Road Trip uniforms for every passenger
• Return Ferry Tickets (everyone is on the same ferry on the way there!)
• Departure BBQ & Party at the start point.
• Stopover Party & heavily discounted accommodation.
• Arrival procession in Mayrhofen (the whole town comes out to celebrate)
• And of course the racing drivers salary (only joking about that one!)
• Parking facilities en route and in Mayrhofen
• And Finally... We even give you all your very own certificate to show the grandkids...

Highway hilarity all the way to the Hoff...

Taking part in the Road Trip is a once-in-a-lifetime assault on international asphalt. How many people get to take part in an international motoring event? In addition to stretching your Snowbombing 'Driven by Volvo' experience, it's also a great way to make new friends and take in the sights, sounds and smells of different countries and as a part of travelling circus of celebrities, media and high-octane fun!

"This is a great way to get to Snowbombing. Taking part in the rally squeezes in another few days of fun, and unlike a mundane low-cost flight, it will be something people can talk about years later." Gareth Cooper, Snowbombing head honcho

‘The kind people from Snowbombing had hooked us up with a sweet Volvo XC70 four wheel drive luxury motor to kill it across the tarmac of the autobahn and travel in style to the event. We were understandably pretty stoked on this – if you’ve ever driven around in a car that’s as comfy as your living room sofa and has more gadgets to play with than NASA HQ then you’ll know how I felt (cue smug smile).’ Whitelines 

Departure Party

All the cars meet at around 8.30am at the Road Trip departure point where they are registered, teams receive their Road Trip Packs and fill up with goodies for the journey. An Army can’t march on an empty stomach – so those nice folks at Volvo lay on a Hog Roast brekkie for all crews. Bap, Pork, Apple source... and an oompha band; the breakfast of champions!

For people travelling vast distances to meet at the start point, we advise staying at a local hotel the night before (details announced later).

Start Point to Dover

All aboard... Ferry - Dover to Calais

All aboard for a veritable voyage of cross channel cross-dressing and piracy on the poop deck. Snowbombing have their very own private room for the journey... host for a manner of naughty nautical knees ups courtesy of our resident mischief makers Squeaky Hill. The ferry is a great opportunity to mingle and meet everyone before you hit the third leg.

Calais to Overnight Pitstop

Glide through the land of great wine, fantastic cheese, onion sellers on bikes and handballing footballers to the land of, erm, frankfurters, cold cabbage, trains which run on time and frustratingly successful penalty takers - enjoy the view, stop off and chat to the locals in your pigeon French & German (don't forget to see the drivers manual for essential phrases)... but please whatever you do, drive on the right!

Location TBC

We will spend the night in a lovely European city... A good chance to chill out and relax, with a little Snowbombing 'Driven by Volvo' get together in the hotel. For those who are feeling a little more adventurous, we will have arranged guestlist discount at a local club ; details to follow.

2011 Hotel TBC.

In 2010 we took over the whole Achat Plaza Hotel exclusively for Snowbombers, offering some great discounted rooms. Located just a stone's throw away from the infamous Cocoon club and restaurants. The night was certainly an interesting one!

Facilities at the hotel included a great bar, restaurant, pay parking and even its own sauna and gym!

Rates: 60 Euros per room (business double, twin & single), subject to availability (2010 price).

We will be finding an equally lavish hotel at our NEW overnight stop, so expect to pay around a similar rate to last year. Details released soon. 

Overnight Pitstop to Mayrhofen

After awaking to more ham and eggs than 'The Annual Ham & Egg Awards', we hit the highway and witness the throng of the autobahn, as giggling repeatedly at lots of signs saying 'AUSFAHRT'.

An hour due south of Munich, mountains gradually begin to appear, to each side, purple cows graze in the meadows and singing nuns saunter across edelweiss-scented alpine meadows. This can mean only one thing... You are in Austria and Snowbombing 'Driven by Volvo' is only an hour away!!

Arrival Procession & Awards Party

We all gather just outside Mayrhofen before arriving at Snowbombing to a huge fanfare and hullabaloo; Our oom-pah band plays, flags wave, crowds line the streets and every car is applauded across the finish line. No worries about our chequered histories, we were still show the chequred flag and are vigorously applauded for our achievements.

The Awards Ceremony commences later that evening once we have settled in. Awards are given to the winners of the pit stop activities, and other categories. The champagne flows as we get the chance to climb onto the winners dias and get our photos taken before starting the week long party that is Snowbombing 'Driven by Volvo'.

Fun, fun, fun

This trip sees you burn more rubber than Russell Brand in a fetish club, see more white lines disappear than a rock group touring Bolivia and cross more borders than an on-the-run prisoner. In fact the Road Trip IS an event unto-itself and WITH so many slightly unhinged, spirited souls taking part it can be best described as 'Ice Road Truckers' meets 'It's a Knockout'! This Is NOT a race or a rally, it's a Road Trip.

Snowbombing's resident mischief makers...

and Activities along the way

Never has refuelling been so much fun! En route you have to make some very pleasurable pitstops indeed - in addition to the essentials (you know, having a wee, hitting the unleaded and raiding the confectionary shelves), you are also set a series of tasks. These often reflect the culture of where you are at the time and may include collecting photographic proof (so don't forget yer camera!).

Wacky Races: The Cast of 2011

In the weeks prior to Snowbombing 2011 you will be able to see all the Snowbombers that have registered and booked on the Road Trip. You can upload your crew's info and images and let the World (and French traffic wardens) know exactly who you are.

… as Barry Peters might say, 'don't be hard, show us your carb, don't be sloppy, show us yer jalopy!'

In 2010 we welcomed some very special guest drivers who hitched a ride with us all the way to Mayrhofen on the Road Trip:

THE SNOWBOMBING ROAD TRIP DRIVERS-AND-CREWS GROUP