Melbccr
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Melbourne Car Cruise Registry (MelbCCR) is a car club formed in Melbourne circa 2000 that has regular events to this day. The Internet forum-based club achieved the peak of its popularity circa 2002-2003 and revitalised the pastime of cruising, popular in the seventies and eighties.
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[edit] History
Emails first started circulating around 2000 stating that a 'Supercruise' would be organised for a certain night, meeting up in a suburban shopping centre car park. The invite was open to all people and makes of cars. Several of these events were organised over the next few years. Many of which involved over 600 vehicles participating.
Cars in attendance ranged from Rice boy cars to street machines, P Platers and on some rare occasions, exotic cars.
2001 saw their biggest event organised at the Melbourne Docklands. Some 1000 vehicles paid admission to The Docklands and participated in dyno tuning and stereo decibel competitions. This event saw the peak in the club's popularity. At this stage, the club had permeated commercial radio, underground culture and national car magazines.
Cruising has always been the primary activity of the club. But many members have gone further into track racing, advanced driving, drifting and off street drag racing.
[edit] Co-operating with the police
The Docklands event culminated in a cruise that caused absolute gridlock and mayhem, which caused the Victorian Police tremendous grief. This made organising future events increasingly more difficult. But in defense of the MelbCCR Admin Crew, every attempt was made to be above board with the Police Force.
Factions of the Police would not always be obliging, with regular random road worthy inspections, speeding fines, EPA notices issued on cars and attendance en masse at some events.
The relationship with the Police has and will always remain tenuous. However, much of this attention is brought on by members who insist on unsociable actions; such as burnouts, loud noise in residential areas, exceeding the speed limit and basic dangerous driving, and their presence is NOT welcome. Unfortunately as the club grows its members tend to consist, by and large, of younger drivers with no sense, civility and even less car control ability.
[edit] Events
Events ranged from Easter Good Friday Appeal cruises a Victorian fundraiser for Children's' Hospitals held annually. Other significant cruises would be held for the launch of The Fast and the Furious and the Melbourne Autosalon.
[edit] Fringe clubs
MelbCCR was born from many users of other pre-existing car clubs in Melbourne. By 2003 MelbCCR took its turn to help others begin other Internet-based car clubs with a heavy emphasis on social events, in Melbourne and arguably Australia.
