NUMEROUS crappy cars drove through Mount Isa on Wednesday during a journey from Adelaide to Cairns.
More than 200 teams are travelling in their chosen car to raise money for cancer research as part of the Shitbox Car Rally.
In Cairns the travellers auction off their cars, which they originally had to buy for less than $1000. They could be bought back by the car owners for their return trip home and for future rallies.
One of the cars is owned by former Mount Isa residents David and Xenia Schraag. They are based in Cobar but are members of the Mount Isa Harley Owners Group. HOG sponsored them by donating $1000 to the cause.
The cars first arrived in Mount Isa at about 12.30pm. They started the day from Tobermorey Station on the NT border, and aimed for Burke and Wills road house by nightfall.
Many cars have struggled to make the journey and are in need of car parts.
Craig McConaghy, of Sydney, and Daniel Trani, Brisbane, in Team Disputin, have had a rough journey in a 1976 yellow Honda Civic.
They had no air-conditioning and so have needed dust masks on the 900 kilometres of dirt roads they have travelled while opening the windows.
“We’ve had the exhaust snap off. The suspension is now a thong. Legitimately,” Mr McConaghy said.
“That’s been our shock absorber for the last 800 kilometres.
“We’ve gone through one battery, numerous cable ties. This panel on the side of the car shaken off.
“No tyre blowouts, which is incredible, and a whole lot of dust.”
Despite its faults he would likely try to buy it back at the auction. “It’s a bit of a rally favourite so I suspect I probably will.
“I will regret it immediately afterwards because I’ve got quite a bit I need to do.”
The Geezers on Tour team members, Dan Williams and Darren Manning, used a Mercedes Benz 300d Sedan. They come from Flinders Park, South Australia.
“My nan passed away from cancer so it’s my way of giving back and it’s also good fun on the rally,” Mr Williams said.
The money goes to the Cancer Council. This year the rally has raised more than $1.5 million.
