JOHN'S PICNIC...disappointingly large

Ahhhhhhhh well, what a shame. Tell ya what, I'll drink it for him! Yo ho ho 99 bottles of beer on the wall, 99 bottles of beeeeeeeer.........

Anyone got more car pics?

**x

 

Hey Thanks for the Pix Carps, I'll leave you aussies to cleaning up the mess, would love to get back over to take a look again one year.....
While we have you on line Carps are you ever crossing the Tasman ??

Oh and was someone actually asking Peddro to comment on Video, what the hells that about I ***ume they didn't get any sense from him.....

 

See the other Picnic post for some good pics.

 

Can't hurt.

 

I'm glad I can read....cos I'm still DEAF from two straight days of rockabilly blasting my eardrums to pieces! That's my ONLY complaint...

And 2 days after the event I am still ******ED.

To John, Steve (and Renata), Dean, Luke, Tom, etc....you guys kicked ****! Glad to be a part of it all. It saved my bacon!

My only regret is not seeing ONE car the entire 2 days.

Oh yeah,.......I'm a TV STAR now...like Flatoz! How the hell I was meant to keep a straight face with Cragar and Devilrod jumping around like ****heads is beyond me!

 

Unfortunately so! I helped on the gates, I organized the Low Rider bike show originally and even helped ***emble the trophies. Now I go with my family and friends, some of whom put their **** on the line to trade there. I help them wherever I can, because I know my help is never going to get me abused by people for things I am not responsible for. But I will probably never ever work the gate. I too used to be one of those that probably shouldn't have had my car there (in some people eyse ane early holden with mags ain't a rod or kustom!) but I was welcomed by Chopper and the gang and look wht I have now.

I will yell myself horse telling people it is one of THE best events in Australia and that it ACTUALLY starts Friday night and ends Sunday. It is not a one day show! I will tell everyone how good it is and that they have everything you could every think of seeing.

Carps, you make me smile everytime you post both here and on Ozrodders
cause I think I know what you really want to say

 

can I have your autograph.

 

Thanks Carps for putting a lot of things in perspective. Last year my wife & I worked the gate from around 8am to somewhere between 1 and 2pm. By then we were totally knackered. In reality we only a very small part in the event, others put in far more than we did. If more would give even a couple of hours & spread the load it would be a big help. At the Vic Rod Show clubs are rostered to help out at the ASRF stand. I know the Picnic is not an ASRF sanctioned event but surely at least some clubs might like to volunteer for maybe a set period of time. I didn't attend the Picnic this year, not because I was pissed off but because I'm trying to get my car on the road (I'm at a stage where looking at other folks cars is a bit depressing cos mine ain't done yet -- no doubt I'll get over it) but having read this post I figure I missed out. Anyway, well done to all who stood up to be counted & hopefully the "team" will increase in number for next year. Cheers, Peter.

 

You know you're always welcome..

Might even make the kiwi Nats next year. Got a date for the big event?

I think he was doing his Zig and Zag Impersonations.

 

Lucky then that the speakers were aimed away from where your staand was set up.

Do we really need to know about your sez life?

You better check again, I think the Bay Rodders cooked it withh eggs on their BBQ.

Me too I saw ****laods of cars and trucks and bikes and gurlz and all sorts of kool stuff.

You should be used to them doing that by now, they are always jumping around like ****heads.

 

yes pete, you missed out big time.

Which brings me to another issue and that is, not having a car at the event, any event, does not make you less a hot rodder than anybody who does have a car at the event. Far as I'm concerned you're all equal car or no car coz it's the people and their individual character that makes any event, the cars are only the icing on the cake.

So on thatt score, car or no car, if you don't turn up at 'The Island' in January, I'lll hafta send 'Da Boyz' to get you.

 

Actually Carps, you are way off the mark. While I can understand your defence of the event and the organisers, you missed the point of my original post altogether. Maybe it's my (lack of) writing skills, but I think I was fairly clear that I wasn't buying into the "my car's cooler than yours", street rod vs hotrod thing. I made no mention of the sort of cars I think were accceptable. If you knew me you would know the ****ty, 4 door, unfinished, going rusty Chev I drive.....................No hint of elitism here Carps.

The message of my original post is pretty simple: It is a Rod and Kustom event, so it makes sense that if you want to enter the event you should have a car that is in some way relevant to that description.

I have no interest in stopping any car / owner from participating as long as they have a car that could broadly fit the description.

I have no interest in p***ing judgement on the quality of make, model, build, style, or finish as long as the car broadly fits the profile.

I have no interest in excluding the owners of ANY type of car from entering and enjoying the event, but perhaps they could leave the Torana in the car park (and yes there were Toranas there)

I would like to see daily driver cars of late and relatively late model, with no custom treatment parked either outside the venue or, more practically, inside the venue in a separate area for public parking.

I don't plan to address all of your responses to this post, but I will say that there are no irrelavent cars in your shots because, naturally enough, you didn't photograph them. The convertible Mercedes, by the way, was a very late model one. Had it been a gull wing or similar, I'd be all over it.

Once again I will congratulate yourself and all of the organisers for a smoothly run event, especially considering the scale. I won't be taking you up on the offer to help run future events because like you, I can do without the grief.

Peter ****er
KOA member #486

 

Don't want to be a pain here, sir, but I don't think everyone agrees when
they go to a CAR meeting. Also saw that the event was advertised as:

JOHN'S Rod and Kustom 50's Picnic
Kustom Kulture Weekend

Saw the flyer HERE:

I wasn't aware that this was the ad. It sounds more like a big great
car meeting with happy people and all kinds of nice cars. But not a 50's Rod
and Kustom meeting. I guess that could be the reason for the "whining" ?

Anyway, I wish you luck with your very successful event and would love to
go there someday. I also would be more than happy to invite you to one
of the most "narrowminded" events in the world. The OSW . The people
working these gates have a lot to do, ha ha...

 

Gee big fella better take that lie down before you blow a gasket. A couple or thee negative comments couldn’t possibly overshadow the THOUSANDS of happy campers that dig the picnic and all those koowl cars. If any of you have met John you would know he’s a 100 % car guy. And for any of you that don’t know, he dedicates the picnic to his late wife as she had a lot to do with starting the event some 13 years ago. Ok all big events have some draw backs but that has more to do with some selfish ****heads who think the whole thing is put on to cater to their overblown egos. I would gladly walk the safeway car park on a Saturday to see one or two hot rods.

 

Hey Carps , Man I need your Diet Tips Mate"

Fat Gruntis

PS I liked the Pick Nik" Dang the Cars Me Likem the Girls "

My Eye Balls are being reinstalled Today

 

And WHERE exactly were you Mr. Gruntis?! Can't believe how this happened but....I didn't spot you at all!

 

Man I tried a couple of times to Swing in to sees ya but your Fan club line was to long, Just like the food line & Beer line at least the Cans where Empty

Speaking of Cans there where sum nice ones walking around , Man I dig them chicks that Dress to thrill er kill

Cars" Was there Cars to been seen?

 

Hey All,

Interesting post with some interesting opinions. I dont see people being unhappy with a certain aspect of the show as a critism worth dismissing. I can understand that as someone who may organise or help put on the show there is a certain emotional investment and to hear some negatives after a long day slaving in the sun could easily get your back up. For me I can block out the late models, the toranas, the mags and mullets but thier inclusion in the event "dilutes" what the essense of the picnic is for me.

perhapes there is no acceptible way to remove this element even if someone wanted to but it doesnt change the fact its still a valid opinion. for me its not about whinging about how bad it is, its about saying the show was great but here is one way the show would be even more enjoyable for me. another would be some variety in the music (how about some surf bands, maybe some 50's garage to break up the rockabilly) and maybe even moving the stage into one of the gr***ed areas so people can cruise the vendor area without earplugs.

I think its a dangerous thing for any event organiser to totally ignore the critisms of the people atending. it maybe JOHN'S rod and custom picnic but its not his $10 comming from everyones wallet that pays for the gig. maybe a more practical approach would be to hear eveyones suggestions and explain why they can or cannot be acted appon. makes everyone feel like they are included and in the process educates them about the difficulties event organisers face when putting on the show. equal parts PR and education.

Dann

 

Hahaha poor POOR Danny. Do you REALLY think that gate money covers the cost of a show? Please believe VERY few promoters break even, LET alone MAKE any money. Money is all the same color and pays the bills just the same irregardless of who's pocket it came out of! Yes, a Complaint Department for the hundreds of people who want to piss and moan about nothing really. Oh the porta loo had single ply and not double ply.........might chap my cheeks. BOO HOO HOO. Oh I had to park my rat rod (tm) next to a Ferrari.........I'm sure he's thinkin along the same line! I had to park my Ferrari next to a ****pile.....NICE! You want to park together, roll in together. This poor guy can borrow my Complaint Department if he likes........

 

hey brandy,

trust you to come up with a sensible answer to the problem.

where did i leave that Barbi pic...

Danny

 

FWIW I thought Danny made some very good points. Yes everyone will have their opinions too, me included.

A lot of events start off by catering to a select "splinter"" group ie: rodders and kustomizers and thats the very reason that the Picnic has been so well patronised by this group over the years. So its natural that these gearheads feel that the event is their OWN (even is its not)!!

The scene here IS different from the US. We are a smaller, less vocal group of enthusisats here in Oz. There is a very small aftermarket industry here but what they do here is world cl***, however the numbers are relatively small. There is no SEMA, no NHRA, no M***IVE profile and no corporate sponsorship like there is Stateside and most of us are happy with that. So is is a different scene, with different at***udes and different mindsets.

Having said that, the event is ***led ROD & KUSTOM PICNIC. That implies to most people that the event caters for traditional Rods and Kustoms, which by the way....is JUST WHAT THE HAMB DOES.

Should we start talkin ricers on the HAMB now ? How would that go down? Just as there are forums for ricers, muscle cars etc there are events that cater for different types of rides. Whilst I dont have a problem with other types of rides (hell Ive got a muscle car too) I dont come to the HAMB and expect to talk about my Charger as I do about my Deuce. I think that the Picnic has been recognised for so long as a hot rod type event that we all feel that is how it should stay to preserve its orginality and the type of rides/people who attend it and make it what is IS.

Its what also makes the HAMB what it is - strict rules about WHAT it is we come here and talk about and it is well policed by Ryan as it should be. This is why the HAMB is kool and has stayed true to its origins.

Danny made a great point about organisers ignoring what attendees think - it IS the participants who make or break an event IMHO. Without them there is no event. Having said that I take off my hat to Chopper, Carps and all the crew who do this year in, year out to make it what it is.

I dont have an issue with seeing some odd rides there, but I also would like to see the event maintain its roots as an event for HOT RODS and KUSTOMS, especially as we all live in times where hardly ANYTHING stays or is original any more.

The Picnic as I see it is an opportunity to debut new rods and kustoms, meet and greet friends from Interstate, see some kool bands/music and see cars in the flesh that have only been seen in the mags or on the Net and enjoy the camaraderie the traditional hot rodding brings.

Just thinkin out loud....

Rat

 

Carps,

Kumeu is January 21-22nd

Beach Hop is like April 26-30th

Those there are probably the North Islands two biggest events, Kumeu could do with better bands, HAMB'r Noddy sounds like he has the Beach Hop sorted for next year, either of those are damn good reasons to jump a cheap flight across the ditch.

 

So I 5 years time when it's the SUMMERNATS PICNIC...and the young rodders and customizers don't turn up any more...but they get 3000 cars through the gate on Sunday, is that still successful?

FWIW...dan has some good point IMHO.

M

 

Thanks Danny and Rat.

I'm glad to see that someone else sees that I'm not taking a swipe at Chopper, Carps or the event.

It is undoubtably THE rod and kustom event of the year.

I hope that Carps might see that when his hurtin' heals.

And Dan, perhaps you may be right that there is no way to fix the (perceived) problem. Only the organisers know the running of the event well enough to know if there is practical solution. Before that can happen it requires them to take a disp***ionate look at the event and, as you've suggested, maybe consider some feedback, before twisting it around and dismissing it.

Pete

 

.....Grant me the Serenity to ACCEPT the things I CANNOT change.....

Courage to CHANGE the things I CAN....

And the Wisdom to KNOW the DIFFERENCE.

 

Hehehe..........

 

What are you laughing at?

 

Lol, just becuase you dont think its a worthwhile pursuit for us to voice our concerns...

Danny

 

At Brandys reply matey !!

Rat

 

I love all of you Skippy's unconditionally and you KNOW that. But I also understand that if I want to improve upon something I have NO control over, I'll just start my own and show people what traditional REALLY is.

THINK SMARTER NOT HARDER!

Not one of you has said alright so here's the game plan for a REAL traditional show......instead it's oh we should put in our complaints.

Danny, you should know me FAR better then that.

You like that Rat? You don't EVEN wanna know why I know that.
**x