Crossword Genius

Examine VW breaking down touring California - it's the fans playing up (7,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mexican wave

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'the fans playing up' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I cannot tell whether this works.

'examine vw breaking down touring california' is the wordplay.
'breaking down' indicates an anagram.
'touring' indicates putting letters inside (touring can mean going round).
'california' becomes 'CA' (abbreviation).
'examine'+'vw'='examinevw'
'examinevw' is an anagram of 'mexinwave'.
'mexinwave' going around 'ca' is 'MEXICAN WAVE'.

'it's' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for mexican wave that I've seen before include "Sports crowd's rippling effect" , "Crowd movement working its way around a stadium" , "Where sections of a crowd take turns to stand and raise their hands" , "Crowd's acknowledgement" , "Acapulco beach phenomenon" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app