A Rally With A Difference that Makes A Difference
Bendigo to Pooncarie to Milparinka to Innaminka to Betoota to Isisford to Beylando Crossing and then to Townsville; now that sounds like an insane adventure! It’s an adventure just waiting for you to register, and it’s an adventure you could be on during 18th–26th October in spring 2024. Then there’s another one in autumn 2025. Are AWDs, 4WDs or any buses allowed on this rally? No, only vehicles with 2WD can be entered.
But that’s nuts! Yes, but it’s also a blast. These car rallies have been happening for quite some time now, and they were first brought into being by James Freeman. He is somewhat of a legend round these parts, as, sadly, James lost both of his parents to cancer just 12 months apart from each other. This was devastating and a really heavy burden for James to carry, as you can imagine, but James and his family nursed their parents through the last stages of their lives. In order to bounce back on top of things and to help him to make a difference, he carefully planned and instigated the first Shitbox Rally. The Shitbox Rally is a car rally that is all about having fun while raising money for cancer research.
Can I enter a new car that I buy from Private Fleet? No way! There is a $1,500 car value/budget rule, and it is the main rule that the Shitbox Rally organizers have stipulated. There are “penalties” for any cars not meeting the criteria! But yes, you can decorate your car. The crazier the decorations the better, and this is a big part of the rally’s fun. Just the bonnet and two front doors are needed for the rally sponsors’ and organiser’s stickers, so these are the areas you need to keep clear.
You do not have to have had a run in with cancer to enter the Shitbox Rally, but the truth is that many of the entrants have been affected by cancer in one way or another, whether it be from losing parents, family, or close friends from cancer; or people that they know of that have battled or are battling cancer. This car rally is all about raising awareness and money for the Cancer Council, but it is also about wanting to offer support and a friendly ear to those that have suffered or are suffering.
This sounds like my favourite sort of motorsport. This is not so much a race, but rather a challenge to achieve the unthinkable. That is to drive cars worth just $1,500 across Australia via some of its most formidable roads; and it’s all in the name of charity. I might see you there one day, as I line up in an old BYD Dolphin at the starting line of the mighty Shitbox Rally (at some point in the future, because these cars are brand new to the market at the time of writing). That might not go so well because I don’t think there’s many charging stations out there!
If you race me to the Shitbox Rally, then you’ll definitely have first bragging rights. What a blast!
Visit the official website at
https://www.shitboxrally.com.au/
Level 2, 9 Help Street