Rattling rally cars on epic trip for cancer research

Bourke was a welcome stop on the epic rally from Alice Springs to the Gold Coast this week. Photo contributed

Bourke was a welcome oasis when 500 weary drivers rolled into town in their 235 rattling rally cars on Wednesday. The drivers were the hardy souls who signed up for this year’s Shitbox Rally, joined by 15 support crew, mechanics and support crew. This is the 42nd Box rally over 15 years, with the charity drive raising more than $2.5 million this year alone. It is one of the biggest charity drives in the country and all proceeds go to the Cancer Council’s research programs.

James Freeman is the founder and CEO of the Box rallies, a charity he launched 15 years ago after losing them both parents to cancer within 12 months of each other.

“I wanted to do something to honour them,” James said.

“Since launching the rallies, I have taken part in every one of the 42 treks in those 15 years.”

Luxury and comfort is left at the starting point, James said the purpose was to raise funds, and the rally was the reward.

“For many people, the rally is on their bucket list, and they take part not just to raise funds but to enjoy the adventure,” he said.

“The rally cars can’t be worth more than $1500 and we have a pretty good idea of the value of every car that comes along. It doesn’t matter if you’re not a mechanic though – we have plenty of mechanics ion the support crew as well as a lot of the drivers.”

This year, the Shitbox rally will cover 3,800 kilometres starting in Alice Springs on October 24 and ending on the Gold Coast later this week.

The teams spent Tuesday night at Silverton before setting up camp at Renshaw Oval in Bourke on Wednesday and then heading to Nindigully before the final leg home to the finish line on the Gold Coast.