Goodbye civilisation. Hello desert.
Winmalee’s Wayne Moloney and his Austrian uncle-in-law Hans Rametsteiner, together with Woodford mates Jeff Sprague and Jan van der Walle are just two of the teams getting ready for the adventure of a lifetime, and it’s all in the name of cancer fundraising.
They're part of the 2017 Shitbox Rally challenge, when 200 cars worth no more than $1000 are driven epic distances on some of the most arduous unsealed outback roads in the country.
For Wayne Moloney and Jan van der Walle the 2017 Shitbox Rally is no new adventure – they took part in 2016 and have happily signed on again.
But Jeff Sprague in his “new” old bomb is moving right outside his comfort zone.
“It will be an experience for me considering I’m not a camper … it’s going to be tough,” he said.
The groups will make the week-long trek over 3,800 kilometres from Adelaide to Cairns through the Oodnadatta Track and the Plenty Highway. For the Blue Mountains pairs it will add up to about 10,000 kilometres of travel as they will start and finish the journey in the Mountains.
“The organisers have said this is the most difficult rally they have put together,” Wayne Moloney said.
Mr Moloney purchased his “Bombadore” for $900, compete with oil leaks, dodgy brakes, an ignition that needs to start with a screwdriver, and 400,000 kilometres on the clock. It is still going after completing the rally last year.
“Cancer has been a curse on our family. My dad passed away when I was young … mum four years ago. It’s our chosen charity. We can have a bit of fun, meet people who have had similar experiences with cancer ... and raise the money.
“Last year we had a pretty emotional experience because one of the ladies in our group had done the previous two [rallies] with her son, and this was to be his third and he died in January of cancer and she was taking his ashes and spreading them along the way.”
Mr Sprague is also keen to make his own impact on cancer research funding.
“Jan and I have written on our car 15 names of people we know who have lost their lives to cancer. The more we can raise, the more we can research this horrible disease.”
Over the past seven years the rally had raised more than $10 million for the Cancer Council.
Wayne Moloney said they were lucky to have Yokohama tyres donated by Bob Jane at Penrith with Nepean Spare Parts at St Mary's giving him a good deal on suspension bits that had to be replaced in the Bommodore and SSS Automotive at Girraween fitting the suspension.
Ray Rumble at Lawson Car Care & Tyre Centre also thoroughly checked out both cars to see if there were any major issues, and S&K Auto Electrics at Blaxland sorted out an electrical problem at no cost.
Mr Sprague said he was also very grateful that Street Art Murals Australia donated their time to do artwork on their car.
For more information go to www.shitboxrally.com.au and search under teams for 'Boardies and Lederhosen' or 'Bill & Ben The Flowerpot Men'.
A duo titled the Department of Funk from Hawkesbury Heights, with drivers Daniel Djuracic and David Bonnette are also taking part in a 1999 Holden Combo van.
