Nathan Laurens is taking his Bluey-themed BA Falcon on the road again for the 2023 Shitbox Rally to raise money for the Cancer Council.
In action in last year’s rally, where Nathan and his friend Shaun raised $11,000.
This year, the car has raised heavy-duty suspension, to tackle the 200km rally from Newcastle to Townsville.
Last year, Nathan Laurens and his friend Shaun Prestage signed up for the 2022 Shitbox Rally, a 2000 kilometre race to raise money for the Cancer Council.
The pair raised $11,000 and this year, Nathan is revving up to do it all again, this time accompanied by his mum Judy.
The Shitbox rally has to be undertaken in a car worth no more than $1000, and all cars are auctioned off at the end of the race.
After surviving last year’s run, Nathan bought back his Bluey themed BA Falcon, and has made a few modifications for this year’s race.
“After last year’s rally, I learned our car needed new suspension,” Nathan said.
“It was so low and we got battered with big rocks. So the suspension has now been replaced with raised, heavy-duty suspension.”
This year’s rally starts on May 13 in Newcastle NSW, and travels to Townsville via Betoota (Birdsville).
The fund-raising goal for this year was $7500, and the tally is currently sitting at $7560.
Nathan is hoping donations keep rolling in, to raise as much money as possible for the Cancer Council.
He would also welcome sponsorship from any interested local businesses, to help cover the cost of the trip.
On his Facebook page, Nathan is also fundraising through raffles (donated by Savitrek) and from $20, you can put a sticker on the car in memory of a loved one lost to cancer.
Rally
Organisers warn the trip is not about creature comforts, describing it as a “dirty, dusty, maybe muddy and tough” adventure.
As part of the event, every car is put into a buddy group – and every group has a mechanic with them.
“If you break down, everyone in the group has to stop,” Nathan explained.
“If the car can’t be fixed on the side of the road, it gets trailered into camp and then you have all night to fix it. So there are a few chances.”
Nathan has already decided he will buy the Wackadoo car back at the end-of-rally auction.
“It's getting transported back via a tow truck. It will then be put aside for a bit as I have another car I'm going to do up for a rally next year.”
Follow Nathan and Judy’s progress on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WackadooLetsGoCruise?mibextid=ZbWKwL
Donations: autumn2023.shitboxrally.com.au/wackadoo-lets-go-cruise
