History of the Canberra Rod and Kustom Krooze (CRAKK Run)

The Canberra Rod Run first took place over the January long weekend of 1977 and was a very successful event for its day. Originally an event sponsored and organised by the Meteors Street Rod Association, it later took on various forms, such as the Wizard's Camp Out and the Canberra Rod Show, until the mid 1980's. The Australia Day Long Weekend was, by then, the "property" of the Canberra rod scene. For some reason, rodding in the late 80's came to a standstill, and the sanction for the Australia Day long weekend was up for grabs. So the Canberra Hot Rod Association claimed it.

The first CRAKK run took place on the January long weekend of 1991 at what was then known as the Federal Tourist Park and the Federal Highway Inn. Ian Walton was the co-ordinator and is credited with inventing the acronym CRAKK - the Canberra Rod and Kustom Krooze. The committee was made up of CHRA members Paul Johns, Dennis Moreau, Rob Whelan, Graeme Thomas and Choco Munday. The decision to put on the run was the result of discussions during the early part of 1990. Up until then, individual CHRA members took turns organising a one day event over this period (more often than not, if someone was unfortunate enough to miss a meeting, they were "volunteered" to put on an event!), such as Drag Racing, an observation run, cruise nights, billy cart derbies and camp-outs. The time had come, however, to get a major rodding event back in the ACT.

Note: The acronym CRAKK and the title "Canberra Rod and Kustom Krooze" is the intellectual property of the Canberra Hot Rod Association, and has been since 1990. The CRAKK Run concept was simple:

  • Work hard all year to provide a Rod Run for the ENTRANTS
  • Make it value for money
  • Give sponsors the exposure they deserve
  • Keep it interesting

Over the years, the CHRA has adhered to these basic principles, passing on their experience from one committee to another. They must be doing something right, because the event has grown every year, even over the recession years where many similar events were cut back or cancelled.