Event Coverage Aussie Hambers - JR&C 20th Annual Picnic SANDOWN PARK RACEWAY

20 years ago, John and Tina Katsanis got together with a few of their hot rodding friends for an impromptu Picnic and it astounded all of them when over 300 cars

Flooded the Casey Complex in Cranbourne, a number of cars that was unheard of for that time except for the Nationals. The rest as they say, is history.



In the twenty years since that first gathering, the KOA John’s Rod and Custom Picnic has become a mainstay of Victorian hot rodding, with people travelling from all over Australia, even the world to participate.



The early picnics were held at the Casey Complex in Cranbourne but it wasn’t long before that venue became simply too small to cope with the number of participants.

On the upside is was pretty cool on the occasions when it rained, because the huge empty warehouse building could swallow maybe five hundred or more dripping wet rods and customs.

The Picnic continued to grow after it was relocated to Pakenham Racecourse, but if it rained, well, everybody got wet, cars got bogged and the small covered area became very, very crowded. But hey, it was still a bunch of fun.

During the time at Pakenham, The Picnic not only grew in terms of volume of spectators, it grew from a one day to a two day and then a three day event. OK, three days is probably a bit of a stretch, but it started with a BBQ and bench racing session at John & Tina’s shop in Beaconsfield and when it outgrew that space moved to John & Tina’s property in nearby Berwick, where it still continues

Some great times were enjoyed at the Pakenham Picnics, but alas, eventually the event even outgrew that venue.



So a couple of years back, it was decided to move to a fantastic almost purpose built venue at Warragul.

Notice that we said almost perfect? The grounds were well grassed, there were powered campsites, buildings for shelter and plenty of roadways for some great cruising action. The outlook was fantastic and being well away from town, there were no neighbor issues with overcrowded paring and all those other things that aggravated the locals at Pakenham.

So, what was the problem? Just a small matter of this great venue being, located right in the heart of the rain belt. And when does it rain more than usual here? Springtime, that’s when, right when we are ready to party.



The first year at Lardner Park was almost the last as it rained all weekend and nobody turned up. After John’s untimely passing we decided to give it another try and blow me down if it didn’t bucket down and wash that event out too. We all had a ball but standing under a cold shower tearing up fifty dollar bills is not something that can be sustained indefinitely.

So we had some serious soul searching to do.

(1) Kill off the picnic,

(2) Give it one more try at the new venue, or

(3) Go back to our roots and make it a single day event at another venue closer to where everybody lives.

We decided on option 3 and commenced the search for a suitable venue closer to suburban Melbourne.

Man that was much easier said than done. Unfortunately Melbourne has proven to be venue poor when it comes to large automotive events so we had to search further afield! After checking out hundreds of alternatives we decided on Sandown Park Raceway. MELWAYS REF 80 D7.



Sandown Raceway is a truly iconic Australian motor circuit, having begun life on March 22, 1962. it has been a beacon for gear heads. For this year the basic layout will cover the same space as used by the swap-meet, so there’s plenty of undercover parking and shelter in the event of inclement weather.

Of course that’s not going to happen, so Picnicers will be able to capitalize on the fantastic grassed areas and gardens. There’ll be some motorsport activity on the track at the same time, so there’s some extra interest for the petrol heads



First order of business is that The Back To Our Roots John’s Rod and Kustom Picnic’ will be a one day only event at Sandown park raceway on Sunday October 21st, 2012. This is a little earlier than our usual date, but when that’s the only day clear on the venue’s calendar, then ya just gotta make the call. Since the date doesn’t clash with any major events that we know of, we bit the bullet and booked the place.



Festivities will begin on Friday afternoon at Chopper & Tina's place, John's Rod & Custom, (74 Beaumont Rd. Berwick) from 5:00pm till Late, meet & greet, with BBQ/Bench racing session, just setting the scene for the weekend. And what a weekend it's gonna be!



Saturday to be announced.



Sunday the festivities begin at Sandown Park Raceway from 9.00 am for entrants, and 10.00 am for the public. Hot Rods, Kustoms, Classic & Vintage cars, Motorcycles and Lowrider Bikes on display, Rockabilly Music festival, Model Car Show, Kustom Kulture exhibition, and much more.

The event comes to a close at 5.00 pm.

At the PICNIC we'll be graced by the presence of knockout rides from as far away as Queensland and Western Australia, and enthusiasts from the USA, Europe, and New Zealand are making the trek to be part of this on going Rod & Kustom extravaganza

With some of the best Rockabilly bands in the scene performing for your enjoyment, Including The Headliners, Wild Turkey, Atomic Hitones & Flying Saucers, and Many More, kewl rides numbering in their Hundreds that will converge from all over Australia to register their presence, huge Model Car show, Kustom Kulture Exhibition, Lowrider bikes, Mini rods, Lifestyle trade stands, Kids Rides, etc.



For this year we won’t be taking pre entries, so it’s just turn up on the day with your pre 1976 hot rod, kustom, or classic chrome bumper equipped vehicle (OK we accept that many Kustoms and hot rods have no bumpers, so there’s no need to stay away if you don’t have them) and join in the fun and games. Entry fees will remain unchanged at $25 for Driver only & $35 for a Family Pass. The sole aim of the event is to promote the fun in Rodding!!!

We’ve still got a bunch of planning and arranging stuff to get done, but we’re all excited about taking the Picnic back to it’s original format,

One which has been copied by many other events over the years.

So for now that’s the great news from KOA and next time I’ll have a lot more to tell you about how the New Picnic is shaping up.

Meanwhile if you want to know more please shoot us an email at; <!-- e -->Info@kustoms.com.au<!-- e --> or give us a call (03) 9796 2251



THE RULES!

At Kustoms Of Australia we championed the motto... there are NO RULES, but unfortunately circumstances change, and for our hobby to survive and thrive we have to abide with the times and continue to bring enjoyment to enthusiasts.

As our events are experiencing an enormous growth, we have to apply some basic rules to assure that our original aims aren't lost within the unprecedented demands placed upon us by enthusiasts and governing bodies.



Pre 76 Vehicles Only!!!



The Picnic is a Hot Rod, Kustom, and Rockabilly festival, not just a car show, so as in the past, your car will not be judged, and we don't want you to be disappointed. Trophies will be given to cars picked by enthusiasts for being kewl and not necessarily the best detailed cars there! We invite you to help us and your other friends by keeping an eye out and discouraging people from accidentally or intentionally causing any damage.
A couple of other requests. To expedite entry please endeavour to have the correct change ready, and be patient if there is a delay as the guys helping out at the gate are enthusiasts just like you and know that things can be frustrating at times, and will be trying to get you in as quickly as possible, all just for the love of the hobby.
Put yourselves in their shoes... actually, if you can spare a couple of hours during the day to help at the gates it would help tremendously!



NO DOGS ALLOWED

 

See ya tonight.

 

woo hoo!!!!!!!!

 

BTT for Aussie Hambers ....

 

Count me in

 

Awesome! Sounds great.

 

Sounds awesome

 

Don't forget it's not cup weekend this year it's before it!

 

Looking forward to this one, hope the weather gods will do the right thing, either way we,ll be there.

 

Only 12 More Days!!!!!