The 2022 Shitbox Rally makes it from Mackay to Darwin

Driving vehicles valued $1500 or less, 250 shitboxes traversed through the outback and arrived in Darwin in all their rustic glory. See the pictures of drivers and the shitboxes.

Floss Adams

less than 2 min read

October 22, 2022 - 12:59PM

Northern Territory

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Crossing the finishing line of the Shitbox Rally means something different to everyone.

But to the Jervis Bay couple Deb and Ray Weeks, it meant holding up her middle finger in the face of cancer.

The charity event which raises money for cancer research invites anyone to take up the arduous challenge of driving a shitbox valued $1500 or less, to drive thousands of kilometres across the outback.

From Mackay to Darwin, 250 shitboxes traversed the Savannah Way to raise money which most of them chugged across the finish line on Friday afternoon on The Esplanade.

For Ms Weeks who is a bowel cancer survivor, she said it was an emotional finish.

“For me it’s about awareness and it’s about raising awareness because there’s no cure for cancer,” Ms Weeks said.

“Bowel cancer sneaks up on you, I had it for five years with no symptoms and it got to stage three before I knew I had it.

“It took years to recover but you actually recover forever, it’s mentally tough.”

The pair raised $22,000 together.

The 2022 Mackay to Darwin event has raised $1,816,288 so far.

From Jervis Bay, Deb and Ray Weeks travelled 3342kms in a 1978 Volvo which was donated by a friend. Ms Weeks is a bowel cancer survivor. The pair have raised $22,000.

See the gallery below

From Gympie Qld, Craig Campbell and Pete Mortimer travelled 3342kms in an old police panel van which they paid $900 for. Picture: Floss Adams.

From Mackay and Gympie, Ben Jones and Dean McClintock travelled 3342kms in a 1996 Falcon Longreach ute which they paid $1200 for. This is their second rally and have raised $45,000 collectively over the two. Picture: Floss Adams.

From Yandina Qld and Bendigo Vic, Kellie Aveyard and Justin Lindner travelled 3342kms in a 2004 Mitsubishi Magna which they paid $1300 for. Picture: Floss Adams.

From Gippsland VIC, Sandra Tozer and Pauline Murcott travelled 3342kms in a 2007 Kia Rio donated by Townsend Nursery. The pair said everyone doubted they would make it. Picture: Floss Adams.

From Melbourne and Brisbane, Jamie Warden and Chris Jones travelled 3342kms in a 2000 Ford Falcon donated by the Smolders family. The pair will be driving it back to Brisbane. Picture: Floss Adams.

From Auckland NZ, Nick and Sasha Buxeda travelled 3342kms in a 2002 Ford Falcon Wagon which they paid $1500 for. If you couldn't tell, the pair are Austin Powers themed and made the trip over the ditch to participate in the charity event. Picture: Floss Adams.

I AIN’T A CHICKEN: From Adelaide Hills, Robert Brooks and Kane Smith travelled 3342kms in a 1997 Chrysler Grand Voyager. Picture: Floss Adams.

From Gwandalan NSW, Tiff and Mick Parker travelled 3342kms in a 2003 Holden Commodore VY which they paid $250 for. Picture: Floss Adams.

From Melbourne, Craig Saunders and Pierre Bahou travelled 3342kms in a 1999 Toyota Corolla which they paid $800 for. The Mackay To Darwin journey is his fourth rally. They have raised $7620. Picture: Floss Adams.

From Hayman Island, Arpad Romandy and Ben Matters travelled 3342kms in a 1991 Cressida which they paid $1000 for. Picture: Floss Adams.

From Bridgetown, Michelle Wright and Katheryn Holland's vehicle unfortunately died along the trip but was given a ute to drive over the finish line. They paid $1500 for their shitbox which died. Picture: Floss Adams.

From Townsville, Linda Hawes and Leigh Maskell travelled 3342kms in a 1991 Mitsubishi Lancer which they paid $400 for. Picture: Floss Adams.

From Brisbane and Mackay, brothers Dave and Dennis Thompson travelled 3342km in a 1995 Peugeot 405 which they paid $300 for. Picture: Floss Adams.

From Brisbane and Mackay, brothers Dave and Dennis Thompson travelled 3342kms in a 1995 Peugeot 405 which they paid $300 for. Picture: Floss Adams.

From Gold Coast and Hobart, Paul Yakimoff and Tim Roberts travelled 3342km in a 1995 Peugeot 306 which they paid $650 for. Mr Roberts said her name is Chantelle, it’s a sexy French name, a nice French woman she is. Picture: Floss Adams.

From Gold Coast and Hobart, Paul Yakimoff and Tim Roberts travelled 3342kms in a 1995 Peugeot 306 which they paid $650 for. Mr Roberts said her name is Chantelle, it’s a sexy French name, a nice French woman she is. Picture: Floss Adams

Born in Poland and now living in Gosford NSW, Dominik Giemza travelled 3342kms in his everyday car due to his shitbox breaking down two days prior to the event. He drove a VW Passat through the outback. Picture: Floss Adams.

From Sydney, Peter Boyer and David Smith travelled 3342kms in a 1993 Ford Falcon which they paid $1100 for. Picture: Floss Adams.

From Sydney and the Central Coast, father and son Gary and Ben Hattersley travelled 3342kms in a 1991 Toyota Corolla which they paid $650 for. Picture: Floss Adams.

From Gold Coast, Rob Green and Chrissy Arundel travelled 3342kms in a Renault Megane Convertible which they paid $700 for. Picture: Floss Adams.

From Sydney: Peter Webb and Damien Russell travelled 3342km in a 2011 Holden Commodore VE which they paid $1000 for. The pair have raised the second highest amount for cancer with $43,000 of donations. Picture: Floss Adams.

From Perth, Sam and Cazz Hooper travelled 3342km in a 1999 Toyota HiAce which they paid $500 for. On the right, from Busselton, John Miller and Dean Elliott drove a 1996 Holden Rodeo. Picture: Floss Adams