KOOL Kroozin’

For those in the know, the annual Canberra Rod & Kustom Krooze is one of those events that is very much by car people, for car people.

Hosted by the Canberra Hot Rod Association, the annual CRAKK Run has quickly become one of my favourite events of the year, especially as an entrant! Based at the Capital Country Holiday Park on Canberra’s outskirts and held over the January longweekend, the CRAKK Run is four days of cruising, live music and generally having fun with like-minded people. It’s very much family orientated with lots of activities added to the event to keep children busy including the pool area that was kept very busy this year with temperatures above 30-degrees each day. The heat certainly didn’t affect the spirits of those entering the CRAKK Run and this year saw the most entrants ever assembled for the event. Most Rod & Kustom events have a cut off period of Pre ’66, but the team behind this great event has taken on the Australian Street Rodding Federations move to extend that to Pre ’78, which say a number of cool, chrome bumper cars turn up to mix it with the Hot Rod and custom crowds.

The Program for the four days offered plenty to do for entrants, with different choices on each day depending on what mood you were in. Thursday was early registration day, with a meet and greet that evening for sponsors before the club staged a sausage sizzle and drinks for entrants in the main gathering area while the first of the live music performed by The Meteors, jammed away for all to enjoy. Even at this early stage, cruising the park was well underway. Each day, the CHRA made sure that all entrants were well fed for the day ahead offering back and egg sandwiches and fruit Friday and Sat mornings, with a pancake breakfast offered up on Sunday before the event program kicked off. On top of that, there were plenty of refreshments put on by the club whilst the live music and DJ sessions were held. And to save you from a trip into town for dinner, there was a burger and donut vans on site all weekend to make sure you didn’t go hungry. It’s things like this that keep entrants happy and wanting to keep coming back year after year.

As expected, Friday was set to be an action-packed day with hot temperatures forecast and clear blue skies. Entrants were offered a few different activities to take in including the Skid Pan driving experience, a cruise to Gold Creek for the shops, cafes and tourist attractions or a cruise to the Museum of Democracy and Old Parliament House. Whilst each cruise was worth taking in, we decided to join the line-up for some fun on the skid pan, after photographing the action last year. There were quite a few cars ready to tackle the wet track, but with two cars allowed each time, we didn’t have to wait long for our go. With Kathy on the sidelines with the camera (she wasn’t keen on being in the Chev) and Montana and Danyon with me, we eased the Chev around the course for a couple of laps to get our bearings and then the fun began! You know you’re alive when you have a car of this size hanging the rear end out! Even more so when it unexpectantly spins around backwards on the main straight! Damn we had some fun… Car after car, the entrants tried to get around the circuit as fast as they could, but ultimately, they would end up backwards off the edge of the wet track. I can’t wait to do it all again next year. Back at the events base, the cruising was in full swing and poolside was the most popular place to be. An impromptu water balloon toss was taking place and soon got out of hand when multiple balloons were flying and the hose came into play! Yes, I’m looking at you Dave Andrews! Whilst this was happening, nearby, there was a metal shaping demonstration happening where Ben and the team from Lucky’s Speed Shop were showing how to chop a hot rod roof the right way. That night, Old Skool Rock entertained the masses to top off a great first day of the 2023 CRAKK Run.

Those that didn’t party too hard were up early on Saturday morning for egg and bacon rolls for brekky before getting their cars ready for the cruise to the picturesque Park in Queanbeyan for the official show and shine. Lined up under the trees, the cars created an amazing spectacle for those coming along for a look at what the event had to offer in the way of Hot Rod’s, Customs, Muscle Cars and more. With more than 200 cars on show, this was a great place to be. It was more of the same upon our return to the venue, with lots of people cruising and having a good time. This was also the time where the ladies got to dress up and head over to the Dining Hall and Deck for the Cocktail Party. It was a booked-out section of the event and from what we could see (and hear), the ladies certainly had a great time! Saturday night featured the BOOMBox2U DJ playing a mix of 80’s songs that really had lots of people dressed up in their flouro colours and dancing the night away – well, giving it a great shot anyway.

After three big days of 30-plus degrees and sunny skies, Sunday morning started with the wet stuff and never really stopped, forcing the guys to shift the presentation into the dining rooms. After the pancake breakfast, the trophies were awarded, including the Killer Rides Show Standout award, which I (eventually) presented to Mark Cannan for his oh so cool ’32 Ford high-boy Roadster. Personally though, I was amazed to take home a place in the Top Three Pre ’66 Cars as well as the Integra Service Dogs Choice and the Dennis Moreau Memorial award. I’m still in disbelief!

After the presentation, entrants number was drawn out and given the choice of a myriad of prizes lined up on a table before the event closed with a Hot Dog lunch!

The laid-back approach taken by the organising committee is definitely a winner. There’s a reason why entrants keep coming back time and time again, and that most certainly comes down to how the event is run. As a sponsor, the event is worth being a part of from that side, with lots of promotion given to all that choose to be a part of it. As an entrant, it is without doubt one of the coolest events I have been too, and will continue to be a part of as long as we can. So if you own a Hot Rod, Custom, Muscle Car or Pre ’78 chrome-bumper cruiser, make sure you keep an eye out for next year’s entry forms… www.chra.org.au

Words / Pics - Paul Beck