
Dunoon mechanic Russell Wilson had so much fun at the Shitbox Rally last year, he has asked his wife Alison to join him and head out to the back blocks of Uluru next April for another go at making a $1,500 car attempt the almost impossible.

Russell and Alison will drive for approximately 46 hours (depending on the Shitbox) over 3,842 km from Adelaide to Perth via Uluru to raise money for the Cancer Council.
The Shitbox rally is a challenge to achieve the unthinkable – to drive cars worth up to just $1,500 across Australia via some of its most formidable roads, all in the name of charity.
Last year Russell and co-driver Ulf Steinvorth drove from Rockhampton to Tassy and raised around $10,000 for the Cancer Council.
An ’83, ’84, ’85-ish Toyota Hiace
This year the Wilsons would like to double that amount for a good cause, and they even have a new ‘car’ for the event. Gone is last year’s 1989 Red Roadrunner and taking up space in the Wilsons’ workshop is an ’83, ’84, ’85-ish Toyota Hiace complete with a mattress and rust spots.
Neither of the couple have been to this part of Australia before so they have no idea what to expect. ‘But, we’ve got solar panels, a bed, a deep-cycle battery. This will be our house on wheels.’
The Wilsons are hoping to attract some sponsors – someone with $20k would be perfect – with all of the funds raised going to the Cancer Council, as the couple fund the car and the trip themselves.

Garage sale on Sunday
To help things along there will be a garage sale at the Dunoon workshop on Sunday with lots of bits and pieces ready to be offloaded in the name of cancer research, including raffle tickets – the winning prize being last year’s Shitbox.
The garage sale is at the Dunoon Automotive workshop at 111 James Street (the main drag), Dunoon.
You can follow the adventure in Instagram at: @rustymotorhead or on the Shitbox Rally website.


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