Shitbox Rally drivers are crossing the outback to raise money for a worthy cause (cancer research), personal challenges (breakdowns) and make new friends.
More than 240 teams in the seven-day 3700-kilometre rally left Adelaide on Saturday (August 15) bound for Darwin.
The most significant rule of the rally bans cars that are worth more than $1500 as well as 4WD or AWD vehicles; 2WD cars only. The vehicles must be roadworthy and registered.
Organisers also emphasise that the rally IS NOT a race.
“Shitbox Rally is about far more than driving old cars,” says founder and CEO of rally organisers Box Rallies, James Freeman.
“It’s about ordinary Australians doing something extraordinary together.
“Every breakdown becomes a story, every kilometre brings people closer together, and the funds raised contribute to life-saving cancer research,” he says.
SHITBOX ONE OF SEVERAL RALLIES
Since its launch in 2010, Box Rallies participants raised more than $68 million for cancer research, making it one of the country’s largest non-government funders of cancer research, it says.
Every team commits to raising at least $5000 and Box Rallies say 100% of all donations goes directly to the Cancer Council.
This Shitbox rally alone has already raised $2.2 million, organisers say. (A Port August-Townsville drive for autumn next year has already raised $193,000 and a Cairns to Darwin rally for 2027 has raised $44,000 so far.)
Teams can be sponsored online; click here to visit the portal.
Cars taking part in the rally are all creatively adorned featuring themes, and most of them are sold off at the end of the rally.
Click here for the video link on the Shitbox Rally’s YouTube channel.
THE ROUTE
- Saturday, August 15: Parachilna, SA via Port Wakefield, Port Pirie and Port Augusta.
- Sunday, August 16: William Creek, SA via Leigh Creek, Copley and Marree.
- Monday, August 17: Mount Dare, SA via Oodnadatta.
- Tuesday, August 18: Alice Springs, NT.
- Wednesday, August 19: Daly Waters, NT via Tennant Creek.
- Thursday, August 20: Timber Creek, NT.
- Friday, August 21: Finish Line in Darwin via Victoria River Roadhouse, Katherine and Pine Creek.
- 10am-12pm, Saturday, August 22: Post Rally car auction at Darwin Sailing Club, Fannie Bay.
CLICK HERE: More photos from day two of the rally in northern South Australia.
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