200 teams, 3,800kms and seven-days – Shitbox Rally takes on outback Australia in 2017
Announcement posted by Shitbox Rally 01 Aug 2016
Red dust, blue skies, a convoy of shitboxes and horizons that span for endless miles. In May 2017, 450 participants will take to the Australian outback in cars worth less than $1,000 all to raise much-needed funds for critical cancer research initiatives. The largest independent fundraiser for Cancer Council, Shitbox Rally will embark on an arduous 3,800km seven-day adventure from Adelaide to Cairns via the Oodnadatta Track and Plenty Highway starting on Saturday 27th May 2017.
It’s a voyage into the unknown for many of the 200 teams as they experience the classic elements that make the Australian outback legendary. From the red orca dust and surprise river crossings to the remote cattle stations and the breathtaking vastness of Lake Eyre, Shitbox Rally 2017 promises to be an unforgettable challenge to achieve the unthinkable.
The rally will bring together an eclectic mix of 2wd vehicles of illrepute for the challenge to cross some of Australia’s toughest 4x4 tracks. It’s an audacious adventure that takes teams out of their comfort zones and into the desert, travelling from the city streets of Adelaide to the tropical rainforests of Cairns.
As Box Rallies Founder James Freeman explains, Shitbox Rally is not only about exploring the vastness of Australia, it’s about bringing people together from all corners of the country to help achieve the extraordinary.
“Each year, Shitbox Rally challenges participants to explore some of the most rugged and remote regions of Australia in cars that would never be considered outback-worthy. Making it across the finish line is a testament to the spirit of the rally as teams help each other pull through with gaffer tape, cable ties and a whole lot of laughter.”
Alongside the drive, this year the fundraiser aims to raise $1.4 million in the fight against cancer with teams required to raise at least $4000.
“The rally is really a reward for all the dedicated fundraising the teams do for Cancer Council. From the trivia nights to the chocolate sales, the teams go above and beyond to help raise awareness and funds for cancer research, and it brings a great sense of pride to the rally community. When you’re driving on the rally, you feel completely at home in an area that is entirely isolated, not only because of the connection you feel to the Australian landscape, but also the community rallying around you. That’s what Shitbox Rally is all about,” said Freeman.
Shitbox Rally caters to those who crave something different, providing an adventure of a lifetime all in the name of a good cause. Whilst registrations for this year’s rally have now closed, budding participants are encouraged to submit their details for future rallies. For further information or to support the cause with a donation, visit http://www.facebook.com/shitboxrally or www.shitboxrally.com.au.
Key dates for this year’s route include:
27th May: Departing from Adelaide, SA
2nd June: Arriving in Cairns, QLD
ABOUT BOX RALLIES
Shitbox Rally is not a race but rather a challenge to achieve the unthinkable: to drive cars worth $1,000 or less across Australia via some of its most arduous roads - all to raise money for cancer research. Shitbox Rally was founded in 2009 by James Freeman after both of his parents died from cancer within 12 months of each other as a way of raising money and awareness in the fight against cancer – a disease that now affects so many people. Over the last seven years, Shitbox Rally has raised over $7.8 million for cancer research, making the rally the largest independent fundraiser for the Cancer Council nationally.
The rally is a reward for all the fundraising the dedicated participants do to put into research for prevention and ultimately to help find a cure for cancer, and it’s a chance to meet like-minded people and see our vast and beautiful country in a totally unique way. To qualify to be in Shitbox Rally, supporters must have raised a minimum of $4,000.
2017 marks the eighth Shitbox Rally. Previous rally routes include 2016 Mackay to Hobart across Bass Strait, 2015 Canberra to Townsville via the Birdsville Track, 2014 Perth to Darwin via the Gibb River Road, 2013 Adelaide to Fremantle via Uluru, 2012 Melbourne to Cairns via Innamincka, 2011 Brisbane to Darwin via the Savannah Way and 2010 Sydney to Alice Springs via the Oodnadatta Track. For more details please visit www.shitboxrally.com.au.
Overwhelmed by the tremendous success in its first international destination in New Zealand, Shitbox Rally NZ is returning in February 2017. To register for 2017 Shitbox Rally New Zealand, or to find out more information, visit www.shitboxrally.co.nz.
An additional $1.175 million has also been raised for Cancer Council Australia over the past three years of Mystery Box Rally, a similar concept also created by James Freeman. Known as Shitbox Rally’s mad baby brother, Mystery Box is, as the name suggests, a mysterious adventure in mystery cars with a shorter distance and less days travelling. Unlike Shitbox Rally, this rally takes care of finding the cars and each location is a mystery, adding to the excitement and adventure of the drive. For more information please visit www.mystery-box.com.au.
-ENDS-
MEDIA CONTACT
Holysmoke! Agency
Amanda Fry, Yvonne Kong or Laura Heslop
P: +61 2 8354 0931
E amanda@holysmokeagency.com.au; yvonne@holysmokeagency.com; laura@holysmokeagency.com
It’s a voyage into the unknown for many of the 200 teams as they experience the classic elements that make the Australian outback legendary. From the red orca dust and surprise river crossings to the remote cattle stations and the breathtaking vastness of Lake Eyre, Shitbox Rally 2017 promises to be an unforgettable challenge to achieve the unthinkable.
The rally will bring together an eclectic mix of 2wd vehicles of illrepute for the challenge to cross some of Australia’s toughest 4x4 tracks. It’s an audacious adventure that takes teams out of their comfort zones and into the desert, travelling from the city streets of Adelaide to the tropical rainforests of Cairns.
As Box Rallies Founder James Freeman explains, Shitbox Rally is not only about exploring the vastness of Australia, it’s about bringing people together from all corners of the country to help achieve the extraordinary.
“Each year, Shitbox Rally challenges participants to explore some of the most rugged and remote regions of Australia in cars that would never be considered outback-worthy. Making it across the finish line is a testament to the spirit of the rally as teams help each other pull through with gaffer tape, cable ties and a whole lot of laughter.”
Alongside the drive, this year the fundraiser aims to raise $1.4 million in the fight against cancer with teams required to raise at least $4000.
“The rally is really a reward for all the dedicated fundraising the teams do for Cancer Council. From the trivia nights to the chocolate sales, the teams go above and beyond to help raise awareness and funds for cancer research, and it brings a great sense of pride to the rally community. When you’re driving on the rally, you feel completely at home in an area that is entirely isolated, not only because of the connection you feel to the Australian landscape, but also the community rallying around you. That’s what Shitbox Rally is all about,” said Freeman.
Shitbox Rally caters to those who crave something different, providing an adventure of a lifetime all in the name of a good cause. Whilst registrations for this year’s rally have now closed, budding participants are encouraged to submit their details for future rallies. For further information or to support the cause with a donation, visit http://www.facebook.com/shitboxrally or www.shitboxrally.com.au.
Key dates for this year’s route include:
27th May: Departing from Adelaide, SA
2nd June: Arriving in Cairns, QLD
ABOUT BOX RALLIES
Shitbox Rally is not a race but rather a challenge to achieve the unthinkable: to drive cars worth $1,000 or less across Australia via some of its most arduous roads - all to raise money for cancer research. Shitbox Rally was founded in 2009 by James Freeman after both of his parents died from cancer within 12 months of each other as a way of raising money and awareness in the fight against cancer – a disease that now affects so many people. Over the last seven years, Shitbox Rally has raised over $7.8 million for cancer research, making the rally the largest independent fundraiser for the Cancer Council nationally.
The rally is a reward for all the fundraising the dedicated participants do to put into research for prevention and ultimately to help find a cure for cancer, and it’s a chance to meet like-minded people and see our vast and beautiful country in a totally unique way. To qualify to be in Shitbox Rally, supporters must have raised a minimum of $4,000.
2017 marks the eighth Shitbox Rally. Previous rally routes include 2016 Mackay to Hobart across Bass Strait, 2015 Canberra to Townsville via the Birdsville Track, 2014 Perth to Darwin via the Gibb River Road, 2013 Adelaide to Fremantle via Uluru, 2012 Melbourne to Cairns via Innamincka, 2011 Brisbane to Darwin via the Savannah Way and 2010 Sydney to Alice Springs via the Oodnadatta Track. For more details please visit www.shitboxrally.com.au.
Overwhelmed by the tremendous success in its first international destination in New Zealand, Shitbox Rally NZ is returning in February 2017. To register for 2017 Shitbox Rally New Zealand, or to find out more information, visit www.shitboxrally.co.nz.
An additional $1.175 million has also been raised for Cancer Council Australia over the past three years of Mystery Box Rally, a similar concept also created by James Freeman. Known as Shitbox Rally’s mad baby brother, Mystery Box is, as the name suggests, a mysterious adventure in mystery cars with a shorter distance and less days travelling. Unlike Shitbox Rally, this rally takes care of finding the cars and each location is a mystery, adding to the excitement and adventure of the drive. For more information please visit www.mystery-box.com.au.
-ENDS-
MEDIA CONTACT
Holysmoke! Agency
Amanda Fry, Yvonne Kong or Laura Heslop
P: +61 2 8354 0931
E amanda@holysmokeagency.com.au; yvonne@holysmokeagency.com; laura@holysmokeagency.com