History
In an all-but-forgotten corner of the Frankston Caravan Park in Victoria can be found the birthplace of WA’s most famous hot rodding event. Nestled amidst the weeds and long grass is the very caravan within which Al Erdman and Eric Warren, after participating in the Confederates Rod & Custom Club Poker Run of 1980 and armed with little else besides a pencil, some beer and an out-of-date P
erth street directory pulled from the clutter on the back seat, created the very first Big Al’s Poker Run. Soon after their return to the west coast, the inaugural Run was held. On that second Saturday in February 1981, entrants paid $5 to enter and cruised from the Carousel Shopping Centre carpark to the finish at Bernie’s Drive-in Hamburger Bar on Riverside Drive where the judging was done by Mal Hardwick. Eight trophies were given away that night, amongst them Top Street Rod which was won by John Hyde’s ’39 Ford Sloper and Top Street Machine awarded to Lee Weir’s Pontiac. History doesn’t record who won the Joker prize of a monster-steak barbecue pack. That first Poker Run attracted 52 entrants. Three decades years later, it takes a staff of 90 just to man the event. The Run has grown to a size where it demands nine months worth of organising, involves numerous government departments and attracts a growing list of sponsors. For many years, the annual Poker Run video guaranteed worldwide exposure of the event and encouraged an ever-increasing number of entrants, culminating in a record 850 vehicles in 2001. And while still based around hot rods and vehicles of American origin, the Poker Run has invited over the years clubs such as the Holden Car Club, GT Falcon Club, Austin Healey Club and Bolwell Owners to add a colourful diversity to the event. In response to growing numbers, a pre-entry system was introduced in 2002 and proved to be immediately popular. Quite simply, an entrant registers prior to the event and is issued a number and an identifying windscreen sticker. On the day of the Run, those who have pre-entered need only check-in through the pre-entry lane, thereby negating long queues and the risk of boiling radiators. In 2013, the location of the day event changed from the Burswood Park site to the Taylor Reserve in Taylor Street, Victoria Park. Although the venue incurs higher costs from the Town of Victoria Park, we have a much larger event field which will lend itself to having several reserved areas to allocate to specialist car clubs and Marques, something we have been asked for by many clubs over the years. This move has increased our event field from 2.5 to 7 hectares. Contrary to popular belief, the Run is no longer planned from an old street directory. Using the latest edition of the UBD however is no guarantee that instructions won’t confuse left with right and lead entrants astray along the MNDR to the RAB before turning into the OTLK. And as for Casey Jones, keep an eye on the boom gates! After all, it wouldn't be the Poker Run without one major 'cock-up' in the directions, now would it.
