With the dedication and support from the majority of the people that brought you the 1999 and 2003 ASRF nationals at Geelong, along with the full support from the Victorian divisional council of the ASRF and local clubs, Geelong Street Rodders and strong support from the City of Greater Geelong, Geelong Otway Tourism and the Geelong Agricultural & Pastoral Society, will work together to ensure the success of this event.

As in previous Street Rod Nationals at Geelong the philosophy of the committee is that the Nationals are put on for the members of the ASRF, to get together and have a good time.

Location

The Geelong Showgrounds can be an ideal venue for your event.  The Showgrounds are easily able to cater for 1500 cars, has grassed and bitumen areas, have a number of permanent Buildings for caterers to set up canteen or café facilities and has ample public parking adjacent to the showgrounds.

The showgrounds also has ample public toilet facilities for an event this size, has an AV or public address system within the grounds and has many other undercover or outdoor areas for entertainment or trade displays.

The Showgrounds, covering an area of 12.5 hectares, are located only 3kms from the centre of Geelong.  The grounds have permanent infrastructure of a number of halls suitable for conduct of various functions.

Activities

One of the main objectives of the Nationals committee is to keep entrants & their families entertained throughout the entire event. The following activities are designed to keep everyone wanting to remain on-site at the complex for the majority of the weekend.

TRADE STANDS Ample room for a large number of traders to display their goods both undercover & outdoor.

CRUISING Cruise track throughout the complex, with continuous cruising keeping the atmosphere at a high.

GO-WHOA Exciting driving events at the complex.

CLUB TENTS Surrounding the cruise track, with room for a large number of clubs to have their own club tent site.

MEALS Various sit down meals provided on-site at the complex.

ENTERTAINMENT Bands, dancing & and more.

LADIES TIME Entertainment for ladies only to provide a bit of time-out.

KIDS ACTIVITIES Games & activities aimed at keeping the kids entertained.

MINI ROD CORRAL Designated areas & times for mini rod cruising.

CAMPING A large number of powered & un-powered sites available at the complex.

Getting There

Geelong is situated an hour’s drive from the city of Melbourne along the Princes Freeway.  Most major highways lead to Geelong with the Princes Freeway passing through Geelong as well as the Hamilton Hwy from west and the Midland Hwy from the North West.

The opening of the Western Ring Road in mid 1997 connects the Tullamarine Freeway with the Princes Highway, greatly improving access from Melbourne to Geelong.

The Geelong Ring Road has also been opened at the beginning of 2009 and has improved movement and ease of access for all participants.

Geelong is also easily accessible from the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne with transportation to Queenscliff (a 30 minute drive to Geelong) on the car/passenger ferry service which operates hourly between Sorrento and Queenscliff, 365 days a year.

Geelong is the gateway to some of Australia’s greatest tourist destinations, from the tranquility and charm of historic Queenscliff to the rolling surf of Bells Beach and the unsurpassed beauty of the world’s most spectacular drive - the Great Ocean Road.

DOWNLOAD ENTRY FORM: WORD DOCUMENT or PDF

From http://www.kustoms.com.au

Saturday 30th - Sunday 31st October 2010 "New Venue"

As you probably have already heard through the grapevine, we had to look for a better and larger venue to hold the 18th Rod & Custom PICNIC, but 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 found a purpose built venue that we think is perfect for such an event. Lardner Park is an ideal venue that is very well equipped with beautiful landscaped parking areas and grid type road ways with easy freeway access from Melbourne. Lardner Park is situated at 155 Burnt Store Road, Lardner VIC 3820, a leisurely 55 min drive from Dandenong.
The picnic will continue to bring you the best entertainment possible with a dozen Rockabilly bands playing non stop over the 2 days while you enjoy the sight of over a thousand Hot Rods & Kustoms that will travel from all states in Australia to party with like minded enthusiasts. We will keep updating the site with more information, such as directions on getting there, accommodation, etc. so keep checking in.

Kustoms Of Australia is proud to present the PICNIC for your enjoyment, one of the most entertaining and successful events in the world! The PICNIC attracts more entries than any other rod event in Australia mainly because the organisers understand what rod & kustom enthusiasts expect for their enjoyment, and work tirelessly to achieve the end results that have brought so much happiness to enthusiasts over the past 17 years. The sole aim of the event is to promote the fun in rodding!
There will be heaps of activities taking place throughout Saturday and Sunday, with over a dozen of the best Rockabilly bands in the scene performing for your enjoyment, not hundreds... but kewl rides numbering in their thousands 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, etc.

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.
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! Those that can help get to see all the cars cruising in, and get free entry, event shirt, and food and soft drinks, and are invited to the post Picnic BBQ and drinks on Melbourne cup day. NO DOGS ALLOWED

Get your entry form here.

ENTRIES CLOSE 17th OCTOBER 2010

Only pre 1965 vehicles that meet ASRF classification eligible. Pre ‘48 must be Rodded, Post ’48 must be restored or modified. Blatantly unroadworthy and temporary permit vehicles not eligible.

PROPOSED PROGRAM

Friday 5th
Cruise Main Street or play a round of golf at Bright golf course, Back Porepunkah Road
3.00 p.m. – 9 p.m. Registration. Pioneer Park, Cobden Street
Entrant must present receipt. Window sticker and arm bands will not be handed to entrants on behalf of other entrants under any circumstances.
8.00 p.m. – 11.30 p.m. Sausage sizzle, Drinks Provided (Gold Entrants only). Music by Jump & Jive and D.J. Anthony

Saturday 6th
9.00 a.m. – 12 p.m. Registration at Pioneer Park
9.00 a.m. Trade Stands open
11 a.m. Poker Cruise begins from Pioneer Park visiting local businesses and attractions.
Or Cruise to Gapsted Winery Myrtleford, entertainment and food available
12 p.m. Registration closes
3.00 p.m. – 5 p.m. Go to Whoa Churchill Avenue, Bright ***Entrants competing in the Go to Whoa MUST be wearing long sleeves, longs pants and shoes and BYO Helmet to compete***
6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Hot Dinner served in the Marquee, drinks available from Football Club
8.00 p.m.– 11.30 p.m. Entertainment by Hell Freezes Over (Eagles) and Endless Summer (Beach Boys) Tribute Show
Buses pick up from 6.00 p.m. Last bus leaves 12.00 a.m.

Sunday 7th
7 a.m. Show & Shine set up at Pioneer Park
8 a.m. Entrants Breaky provided at Marquee
8 a.m. Trade Stands/Market/Helicopter rides opens
8 a.m. Show & Shine open to public
10.00 a.m. Children’s entertainment in Marquee
11.00 a.m. Aerobatic performance
11.05 Jump & Jive and D.J. Anthony starts up
12.30 a.m. Aerobatic performance
2 p.m. Presentations, Raffles, Give a ways
Major Raffle, 1934 Ford Tudor body, winner doesn’t have to be present, winners will be notified.
Minor raffles winners must be in attendance when drawn, if prize not claimed within 2 minutes it would be redrawn until a winner is found.

IMPORTANT NOTE/CONDITIONS TO ENTRANTS:
- Only one Goodie Bag and T Shirt per entry form
- One single individual entry per entry form (no multiple entries)
- Parking on the oval for the "Show N Shine" is "first in, best dressed" as there may not be
enough room to fit all vehicles.
- Entries received after closing date will be BRONZE entries only and NO Goodie bag or T Shirt will be issued.
- If T - Shirt size is not indicated on the entry form then a Medium will be issued.
- No refunds will be issued for non attendance. Goodie Bags will be posted out instead, after the event is over.
- Receipts with the Entry number will be issued to every entrant.
This must be presented at registration otherwise entry may be refused. Therefore if you have not received your receipt within two weeks of sending in your entry please contact John.
- Window stickers and arm bands will not be handed to entrants on behalf of other entrants under any circumstances.

INFORMATION CONTACTS

Entrant information: John Vlahopoulos 0419 340 029 A.H.
E-mail info@northernsuburbsstreetrods.com.au

Event information: Ray McDonald (03) 9465 0000
E-mail: sales@mcdonaldbrosracing.com.au

Website: www.northernsuburbsstreetrods.com.au

Many innocent individuals have been caught by this sudden change in policy, and have vehicles in transit or stranded in foreign or domestic ports.

The Department has belatedly placed an Alert notice on their website, and have issued a new version of the Vehicle Standards Bulletin (VSB) that relates to importation.

The Import Alert can be viewed here.
The revised Information Brochure (VSB10) can be downloaded here

Post your thoughts on this by commenting below and don't forget to share this with your other online mates. This is a very real threat to our lifestyle and the Government needs to be made aware that we will not stand for it!

More info:

• Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Website

• Head over to http://www.ozrodders.com/board/ to read a lenghty discussion on the topic.

One of the first articles I posted here on rodandcustom.com.au was a small introduction and a web link to the fine art photography of David Biene and his amazing book Hopped-Up.

Extract from the website:

"Hopped-Up is a portrait of the European scene of the Hot Rodding culture. David  uses fine art photography and sophisticated face-to-face interviews to present all the different facets of this subculture and some of its protagonists. This book is about real people, about personalities. It is about true enthusiasm and passion, about sweat and fun, about friendship and individuality. And it is about style and photography.

David Biene spent a lot of time on the road over the past 5 years traveling through Europe to meet Rodders in their garages, he stands by the start line when they race and hangs out with them after the races to celebrate their victories."

Currently in London I managed to spot an ad in one of the many local magazines for an exhibition featuring a selection of Davids works being held at the Proud Camden Photo Gallery at the awesome Camden Markets. I just had to get along and check out some of the great photographs that essentially showcase Europes Hot Rod culture.