Guinness World Record™ Attempt

When at first you don’t success, try, try again --- at least a second time. That was the motto of Bug Jammers trying to cram into a 1975 Volkswagen Bug at this year’s Pasco Bug Jam on Sunday, Nov. 13.

Seventeen Bug Jammers had successfully broken the world record in 2009 when they piled into an old-style Bug. But that record was short-lived when 20 students from Asbury University in Lexington, KY, crammed into a 1967 Bug and successful broke the record in December 2010.

But Bug Jammers wanted the record back and this year set out to reclaim their title.

Attending the world record attempt was “Miles,” the Bug used in the Asbury University record-setting event. The students there did the Bug cram in an effort to stop human trafficking and following the event the VW they named “Miles” took to the road for a 2,700-mile journey as the first abolitionist spokescar.

“Miles” and his driver, Kyle Schroeder, of Asbury University, spoke about their Stop the Traffick Freedom Drive that uses the “people’s car” to combat the buying and selling of people. They also cheered on the Bug Jammers as they tried to break their record.

“It was hard to keep track of the people stuffing into the Bug,” said Carol Jeffares Hedman, Bug Jam coordinator. “It was very hot and we were trying to get them in as fast as possible. When it was stuffed to the limits, we thought we had the 21 necessary to reclaim our record.”

But as the sweaty Bug Jammers were pulled from the small car it turns out only 16 had been inside.

Undaunted, the participants regrouped to give it another try. This time their efforts squeezed 19 into the Bug. But it still wasn’t enough to reclaim the title.

“If we couldn’t reclaim the title, I’m glad it is in the hands of such worthy people who are standing for a worthwhile cause,” Hedman said. “I’m not sure if we’ll try again next year, but we’ve already had some of those that participated this year want to try again.”

According to Guinness rules, those attempting the feat must be 18 or older and 5 feet or taller. They must also remain inside the VW with all doors and windows shut for 5 seconds.

Those attempting the Guinness World Record™ this year were:
1. Sheralyn Hennessey, of Wesley Chapel, FL, age 61, 5’2”
2. Kathleen Lindlbauer, of Leigh Acres, FL, age 26, 5’
3. Ryann Osborn, of Niceville, FL, age 18, 5’10”
4. Matthew Garcia, of St. Petersburg, FL, age 28, 6’1”
5. Troy Bidleman, of Hernando, FL, age 49, 6’1”
6. Chelsea Hunt, of Minneola, FL, age 20, 5’6”
7. Luis Santana, of Miami Lakes, FL, age 18, 5’10”
8. Jim McCullough, of Gainesville, FL, age 45, 5’10”
9. Craven Askew, of St. Petersburg, FL, age 19, 5’5”
10. Charlene Clasen, of Cocoa, FL, age 22, 5’3”
11. Maryanne Chancey Hecht, of Sarasota, FL, age 59, 5’4”
12. Jonathan Breidenbach, of Lakeland, FL, age 29, 6’
13. Jason McKnight, of Celebration, FL, age 37, 5’9”
14. Barry Dawson, of Ocala, FL, age 18, 5’5”
15. Amber Gascon, of Riverview, FL, age 18, 5’1”
16. Jessica Toney, of Ocala, FL, age 23, 5’6”
17. Matt Walsh, of Cocoa, FL, age 22, 5’7”
18. Robbie Guggenheim, of Gainesville, FL, age 31, 5’9”
19. Samantha Ashley, of Lutz, FL, age 25, 5’6”

Thirty-four Bug Jammers were successful in setting a world record for the most people crammed into an old VW Bus at the 2010 Bug Jam. There was no record previously set and the record is included in the Book of Alternative Records.

2011 Pasco Bug Jam Photos
by Hunter Hedman

Click on photo for photo gallery

For immediate release


DADE CITY --- More than 7,000 lovers of “the people’s car” came to view more than 500 Volkswagens entered in the 23rd annual Pasco Bug Jam, held Nov. 13 at the Pasco County Fairgrounds in Dade City, FL.

“Let It Be…etle” was this year’s theme and indeed a Beetle took home the top prize as Jay Kinsey’s 1962 stock Bug convertible took the Best of Show prize back to Goldsboro, NC.

Other “best of” awards went to: Tim Hesse, of Winter Park, FL, for “best engine” in his 1947 Bug; Angel Fleitas, of Naples, FL, for “best interior” in his 1960 Bug; Ron Folden, of Longwood, FL, for “best paint” on his 1959 single cab; and Lashaun Daniels, of Jacksonville, FL, for “best display” with his 1974 Type II.

Trophies were also given in nearly 60 classes for air- and water-cooled pre-registered entries, plus Top 20 awards for day-of-show entries.

Plaques were awarded to the Volks Family Car Club, of the Orlando area, for the club participation award. This is the second year the club has won the award with 20 member entered in the show.

The award for the persons driving the furthest to participate went to Robert LaPorte who drove his 1985 Westfalia Weekender 1,286 miles from Barker, NY, and Donna Morse, who drove her 2000 Beetle GLS 1,233 miles.

A new award, Judges’ Pick, was given this year to a participant they decided for whatever reason deserved their award. The inaugural award went to Bentley Lovely, of Winter Park, FL, who was driving his 1973 Super Beetle to the show when it was hit by a deer.

Bug Jam organizers deemed the event a tremendous success despite the fact that they didn’t reclaim their Guinness Book of World Record™ title for most people stuffed into an old-style VW Bug. Bug Jammers broke the record in 2009 when 17 crammed into an old Beetle but that title was short-lived as 20 students from Ashbury University in Kentucky took the title in 2010. The students did to kick off their stop human trafficking project and “Miles,” the black 1967 VW Bug that was used for their world-record effort and as well as a spokescar against human trafficking, attend the Bug Jam to tell about its missions and cheered on Bug Jammers as they tried twice to squeeze into a 1975 Bug. The first attempt only resulted with 16 and the second try only 19 folded into the old VW.

While the old Bug was spotlighted for that event, a new red 2012 Beetle brought by Bug Jam sponsor Reeves Import Motorcars was also a star. And some real stars were stationed in the auditorium to sign autographs as they visited with their friend who was a Bug Jam vendor. Paul Le Mat and Cindy Williams, stars of the classic movie “American Graffiti,” visited with Bug Jammers.

The Bug Jam is organized by the non-profit Pasco County Fair Association Inc., a 501 (c) 3 organization and all proceeds go to non-profit organizations, including All Children’s Hospital that has received more than $260,000 since the Bug Jam was conceived 23 years ago. More than 1 1/2 tons of food has also been collected for Suncoast Harvest Food Bank.

The Bug Jam is also supported, in part, by the Pasco County Tourist Development Council. The Pasco TDC named the Bug Jam was the Best Special Event of the Year in 2010.

Other sponsors are: Reeves Import Motorcars; Hilltop Motors; Clubair Sportswear; The Tampa Tribune; Classic Camber; hotVWs magazine; Total Performance; and Foreign Policy.

Next year’s 24th annual Pasco Bug Jam will be held Sunday, Nov. 11, at the fairgrounds. For more information, visit the Web site: www.pascobugjam.com; e-mail bugjam@pascocountyfair.com; or call the Pasco County Fair Office, (352) 567-6678.

The Pasco County Fair Association Inc. does not discriminate against any person on the basis of age, race, color, sex, disability, religion or national origin.