Hows about we organize a proper protest?

[388cube_edxr8]

Lo all,

How about we organize a massive protest using the cars that we enthuse about, all around Australia.

We get everyone with a high performance or modified car (not just fords) to start on the outskirts of whatever your capital city is, in a carpark (or 2), and drive in 1st gear through the city, just as peak hour starts, and finish at the biggest political building you have in your capital city.

Rev your engine as much as you want, but any burnouts will likely result in your car being impounded, as the Police are going to be there, whether we like it or not.

We get the whole thing publicized on talkback radio, the rest of the radio stations will follow and bring even more support.

Now that's a proper, nondestructive, non-riot protest.

I remember the Truckies of Brisbane did a similar thing last year (year before?), and it worked out pretty well for them.

We need to make a stand about no Government funding for controlled performance driving, amidst a worsening crackdown on 'hoon' behavior on the roads, no matter how secluded said road may be.

Personally, I couldn't organize my way out of a wet paper bag, so anyone who wants to take the reigns from here on in is more than welcome.

[flappist]

Not good timing.

It would be like a religious group organising a peaceful protest a few days after terrorist attack.

It will no go well...........

[geckoGT]

Time to keep a low public profile in terms of public congregations of large numbers of modified vehicles.

I would say a better option is maybe a public rally with no cars present, of all clubs and online forums members and publicly denounce the use of vehicles in illegal activities such as street racing, burnouts etc. Better to let the public know peacefully that we as true car enthusiasts do not support the behaviour that has hit the media so often. Even better if we can instead detail combined efforts to reduce the incidences of these activities in conjunction with the state police and transport departments.

[GSfalcon500]

That sounds like a union style protest that will only annoy people stuck in the traffic that you cause.The fact is that people that dont enjoy cars as a hobby hate and dont understand poeple that do,and that is most people.
Hear is a solution that i think that could work here if peoples attitudes change (not likely ,to much of a british menatilty here) http://www.semasan.com/main/main.asp...ANcom/HomePage
If the link dosnt work type in sema action network on google and have a look what can be done with the right organisation and money of course.

[gtxb67]

wouldn't the same type of boofhead that did the damage on friday come along to one like this too

[geckoGT]

Originally Posted by gtxb67

wouldn't the same type of boofhead that did the damage on friday come along to one like this too

That is why any public meeting would have to without cars present.

The key I believe if the enthusiasts want to do anything constructive is not to inconvenience the public with cars, but show our sub culture disapproves of illegal activity and supports elements of road safety improvement.

[Jim Goose]

Originally Posted by gtxb67

wouldn't the same type of boofhead that did the damage on friday come along to one like this too

Bingo...

Unless your able to trust the people that come along its a waste of time.
A largeamount of cars "revving" their engines will still attract bad publicity and then the RTA or whoever can still do you for noise pollution.

No doubt other morons will drive illegally modified vehicles and the police/ RTA will have a field day.

If you want to organise things you need to get the members of all the local motoring groups, from bikes, to holdens, to VINTAGE, British, etc etc etc... ALL together.

And then ONLY MEMBERS participate in the parade etc.....
You set out a route, time of day etc and arrange it with the Police (shock horror!). Get permits or whatever you need.....

Collect signatures and present them to the local member... blah blah blah..
But at the end of the day do you honestly expect the state governments or local council to cough up money to build a motor sports facility???

Unless you get COMMERCIAL backing by some large company and find a suitable location, you wont get far at all.

And yes, its too soon at the moment to do anything. Keep a low profile and wait till the media forgets the event.

[gtxb67]

the problem is that even if it is for members of car/bike clubs only and there are none of the club cars/bikes there, the boofheads will show up with baseball bats or in their fully shick vl's. you cannot stop people from showing up to a public place and if it was a parade or inside an oval for instance, the moron's would congregate outside of the official areas and start trouble because they did not receive an invite

my thoughts may be too negative and not pro-active i know, but in my opinion the only thing we can do as a group is to behave on the roads and not bring any attention to ourselves. from a personal point of view i do not get hassled in any of my cars, but not even the coupe. have very rarely been pulled over in almost 23 years - i would like to think it is the way i drive it. the police have an idea what is going on - they know who the morons are

getting together is only going to create potential for another riot type event. the best way to protest is to drive in a safe manner and do not give the powers that be any ammunition to victimise the true enthusiast

[Riksta]

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

Unless you get COMMERCIAL backing by some large company and find a suitable location, you wont get far at all.

We've got that here in SA.

The government could even MAKE money by selling or leasing the land to them!

And yet, look at the situation we're in, because the Motorplex might "encourage hoon behaviour" on our roads. We've got too many old people who are terrorised by anything louder than the AM radios they listen to who would prefer us to be driving cars that made no sound at all, and the government continually listens to them and does whatever they want. When it comes to car enthusiasts, they don't give a rats.

[4Vman]

The timing couldnt be worse... We dont need a "protest" at all, we need a smart group of intelligent people to sit down and nut out a long term strategy and proposal that looks at the big picture, is savy to the ways of parliment and the media and set up sub working groups in every state to quietly work their state political system...

What we dont need is a public show of stupidity which is exactly what will happen if you hold any kind of public "protest"....

[ltd]

Better off organising a protest and having it away from traffic. Make sure its regimented so no one acts a fool, have the police even escort it. Flappist is correct, if you annoy people talkback is going to be full of anger toward the event. Call Allison Pietrowski (program director) at channel 9 and have her promote it as "Non Hoons, asking for what the police advocate in their own drag strip". Make the public get behind it by not having anyone inconvenienced, not having loutish behaviour and having full police involvement. Invite the roads ministers to address the crowd.
The reason I suggest this, is that we have all seen many protests and have all been inconvenienced by them. I personally hate protestors. Everyone I know hates them too. Do the exact opposite to what everyone expects and it will go over a treat. Do the engine rev salute thing too and say something like "We won't be silenced on this issue".
A lot of the people who would protest are sure to be security guards so get co-ordinated with them and the local coppers. I think it would be brilliant. Perhaps charge an admission of $1.00 and have it on some farmers farm. Doesn't have to be big numbers just co-ordinated.

[Jim Goose]

Originally Posted by Riksta

We've got that here in SA.

The government could even MAKE money by selling or leasing the land to them!

And yet, look at the situation we're in, because the Motorplex might "encourage hoon behaviour" on our roads. We've got too many old people who are terrorised by anything louder than the AM radios they listen to who would prefer us to be driving cars that made no sound at all, and the government continually listens to them and does whatever they want. When it comes to car enthusiasts, they don't give a rats.

I doubt its "old" people making the noise about hoonish behavour...

The debate that building a facility will encourage worse behavour on the roads could be argued ad-nauseum. Its like the guns laws which were introduced many years ago.

All the law abiding citizens handed them in.... Its the same with a motor sports facility. Only those ACTUALLY interested in cars, bikes and having fun etc, etc, etc will go to these places.

The moronic ellement (those of us will remember that when we were younger we were morons, some grew out of it, some remained morons) will always "rebell" against authority and continue to street race, do burn outs in public etc... It will never change.

The governemnt, weather it be local, state or federal will always gain mileage about "hooning" and BEING SEEN doing something, weather its making more and more useless laws or ranting and raving on TV. Its all about being seen as publicity is what THEY (the pollies) want.

Its the moronic element in society which ruins it all for everyone and until these idiots are educated from a young age (parents for instance who drive like idiots with their kids in the back of the car!!! The lack of REAL Policing on the roads... ie Speed Cameras WHICH DO NOTHING to embaress you etc...) nothing will change....

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

I doubt its "old" people making the noise about hoonish behavour...

The debate that building a facility will encourage worse behavour on the roads could be argued ad-nauseum. Its like the guns laws which were introduced many years ago.

All the law abiding citizens handed them in.... Its the same with a motor sports facility. Only those ACTUALLY interested in cars, bikes and having fun etc, etc, etc will go to these places.

The moronic ellement (those of us will remember that when we were younger we were morons, some grew out of it, some remained morons) will always "rebell" against authority and continue to street race, do burn outs in public etc... It will never change.

The governemnt, weather it be local, state or federal will always gain mileage about "hooning" and BEING SEEN doing something, weather its making more and more useless laws or ranting and raving on TV. Its all about being seen as publicity is what THEY (the pollies) want.

Its the moronic element in society which ruins it all for everyone and until these idiots are educated from a young age (parents for instance who drive like idiots with their kids in the back of the car!!! The lack of REAL Policing on the roads... ie Speed Cameras WHICH DO NOTHING to embaress you etc...) nothing will change....

Spot on.

[blackxrsix]

Why dont the consortium market it as a driver training ground to improve driving skills and general road behavior with skid pans etc and once they have the land then expand to a motorsport park with a drag strip.The word drag strip frightens the sh-t out rann and his nursing home buddies.Even if we call it prius electric motorplex.Its typical adelaide with its older population they dont like change as long as they get there hospital for there hip replacements and a tram so they dont need to get the gofer out the shed there happy.Lets see how many of these promises come true.Its just another thing he has : for us.!!!!

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by blackxrsix

Why dont the consortium market it as a driver training ground to improve driving skills and general road behavior with skid pans etc and once they have the land then expand to a motorsport park with a drag strip.The word drag strip frightens the sh-t out rann and his nursing home buddies.Even if we call it prius electric motorplex.Its typical adelaide with its older population they dont like change as long as they get there hospital for there hip replacements and a tram so they dont need to get the gofer out the shed there happy.Lets see how many of these promises come true.Its just another thing he has : for us.!!!!

Yes..... it seems obvious doesnt it.

[04redxr8]

Originally Posted by 388cube_edxr8

Lo all,

How about we organize a massive protest using the cars that we enthuse about, all around Australia.

We get everyone with a high performance or modified car (not just fords) to start on the outskirts of whatever your capital city is, in a carpark (or 2), and drive in 1st gear through the city, just as peak hour starts, and finish at the biggest political building you have in your capital city.

Rev your engine as much as you want, but any burnouts will likely result in your car being impounded, as the Police are going to be there, whether we like it or not.

We get the whole thing publicized on talkback radio, the rest of the radio stations will follow and bring even more support.

Now that's a proper, nondestructive, non-riot protest.

I remember the Truckies of Brisbane did a similar thing last year (year before?), and it worked out pretty well for them.

We need to make a stand about no Government funding for controlled performance driving, amidst a worsening crackdown on 'hoon' behavior on the roads, no matter how secluded said road may be.

Personally, I couldn't organize my way out of a wet paper bag, so anyone who wants to take the reigns from here on in is more than welcome.

Not a bad idea, very wrong approach.

Protest bad, demonstration good. A mass show and shine would be a better idea. We are already seen as an enemy, disrupting traffic would make things worse not better.

A show and shine would demonstrate numbers, a willingness to upkeep old cars, and hopefully quash stereotypes. It will also give us a chance to speak with the media to get our real point across. A peacefull rally if you will.

[Saraco]

Originally Posted by blackxrsix

Why dont the consortium market it as a driver training ground to improve driving skills and general road behavior with skid pans etc and once they have the land then expand to a motorsport park with a drag strip.The word drag strip frightens the sh-t out rann and his nursing home buddies.Even if we call it prius electric motorplex.Its typical adelaide with its older population they dont like change as long as they get there hospital for there hip replacements and a tram so they dont need to get the gofer out the shed there happy.Lets see how many of these promises come true.Its just another thing he has : for us.!!!!

We were promoting it as a motorsport/driver training centre! NOT A DRAG STRIP!p.s.The consortium, on hearing the Rann governments victory, have pulled their money out and walked! So, any A-GRADE motorsport/driver safety training complex, will now have to be taxpayer funded. There is going to be no fun with cars,(i.e. drag racing) in close vicinity of Adelaide, for a VERY,VERY,VERY long time!

[kezzer]

Originally Posted by 04redxr8

Not a bad idea, very wrong approach.

Protest bad, demonstration good. A mass show and shine would be a better idea. We are already seen as an enemy, disrupting traffic would make things worse not better.

A show and shine would demonstrate numbers, a willingness to upkeep old cars, and hopefully quash stereotypes. It will also give us a chance to speak with the media to get our real point across. A peacefull rally if you will.

I agree, considering you don't get many bogans -arsehats at these events anyway it shouldn't be a problem. Also, organise the event to start at like 9am on a sunday instead of 11pm at night, this way all the ****heads will be hungover and not attend.

[Deech]

Originally Posted by 388cube_edxr8

I remember the Truckies of Brisbane did a similar thing last year (year before?), and it worked out pretty well for them.

Do you mean the one about the logbook laws (September 2008) that the general public was convinced was about fuel prices, and therefore was fruitless in arguing their case to the people and only served to worsen their image when they created traffic havoc?

The one that was abandoned after a few short days after the media shot their cause down with the "fuel prices" straw man, and that did nothing to avert the logbook laws which came in anyway?

Apologies if I'm thinking a different one, but either way that's a perfect example of why a similar protest wouldn't work. Look up the "straw man" fallacy.

[Bucknaked]

What are you actually protesting against?

[GrimmReaper09]

I must have missed something.....what happened on "the Friday" mentioned in some of these posts ?

[04redxr8]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

What are you actually protesting against?

I'm guessing the riot and the fact some media has claimed that it was perpetrated by enthusiasts. Protesting in fact would add fuel to that argument.

[GrimmReaper09]

I think we need to do what some have said here. Peaceful....no cars....loads of signatures....LAW ABIDING demonstration.

ANY disruption to traffic will be very bad for the cause and will be counterproductive to the whole thing and be splashed all over the media with politicians saying "this is why we WILL NOT build this complex, this sort of behavior is unacceptable" and just take progress backwards.

This issue can't be tackled head-on, it needs to be done right, through the right channels and very delicately. The complex will be a major asset to S.A and WILL drop the road toll no matter what anyone believes. It won't be overnight, it may be 6 months before any reduction is seen, but it is, in the long term, a necessity for driver education.

[DJR-351]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

What are you actually protesting against?

Don't worry, i can't work this one out either....

[snappy]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

What are you actually protesting against?

The slow death of the enthusiast under the guise of hoon.
Slowly losing event and places to enjoy our hobby . There killing a culture that helped build this country . But the constant attacks and media coverage of illegal activities are making the law abiding enthusiast look like a criminals . An making out motor sport events are just meetings for organised crime .
If nothing is done in the near future the only people that will be able to enjoy the car above 4000rpm will be the super rich or professionals .
I believe appoint needs to be made the being a car enthusiast is simple hobby about the passion of motor vehicles . Its not about braking the law . An we need backing from the government for venues and events just like any other sport .

It was not the government or the rta that taught me to drive safely to respect others and how to use a motorcar appropriately .
It was car clubs and people on hear that made me aware there was ways to enjoy your car legally

[Saraco]

Originally Posted by snappy

The slow death of the enthusiast under the guise of hoon.
Slowly losing event and places to enjoy our hobby . There killing a culture that helped build this country . But the constant attacks and media coverage of illegal activities are making the law abiding enthusiast look like a criminals . An making out motor sport events are just meetings for organised crime .
If nothing is done in the near future the only people that will be able to enjoy the car above 4000rpm will be the super rich or professionals .
I believe appoint needs to be made the being a car enthusiast is simple hobby about the passion of motor vehicles . Its not about braking the law . An we need backing from the government for venues and events just like any other sport .

It was not the government or the rta that taught me to drive safely to respect others and how to use a motorcar appropriately .
It was car clubs and people on hear that made me aware there was ways to enjoy your car legally

The government are slowly breeding the love of cars out of us! I'm afraid it's working.