By Eleanor Wilson
Berwick Mitsubishi’s Heath Eustace and long time friend and co-worker Dane Kelly know a thing or two about cars.
Working in the automotive industry for 18 and 22 years respectively, the pair will put their knowledge and skills to the test next month as they venture across Australia’s top end for the Spring 2022 Shitbox Rally.
The charity rally, which takes place from 15 to 21 October, will see 250 teams of two drive thousands of kilometres across Australia’s harshest and most isolated roads.
The catch? The cars cannot exceed $1500 in value – meaning they will likely hit a few bumps in the road.
Heath and Dane have chosen to put their faith in a 2004 BA Ford Falcon Wagon during the seven day rally, which – if all goes well – will transport them 3342 kilometres from Mackay to Darwin.
Aside from some prospective issues like overheating, punctured tyres and challenging back-roads, the pair are optimistic about the journey.
“We’re pretty excited to be taking part,” Heath said.
“Hopefully we don’t have any issues…so long as the air conditioner and beer fridge work we should be happy,” Dane joked.
Raising funds for the Cancer Council, the pair has already collected $3200 of their $5000 goal, thanks to supportive friends and family, as well as generous sponsors including Fundit Finance, Global Factory Maintenance, Advance Car Carriers, Auto Motor Group, Berwick Mitsubishi, National Car Buyers, Mornington Isuzu, Signarama Albury and Motorsport Wheels and Tyres.
“It has been challenging to raise the money because things are a bit tighter financially for people at the moment, but we’re confident we’ll reach our target,” Heath said.
The men anticipate they’ll be driving about 500-600 kilometres each day, with Heath, who has participated in the rally three times before, the main driver, while first-timer Dane sits passenger side as “co-pilot”.
“[Heath] had been looking at doing the rally for a while and threw the idea up and it sounded like good fun for a good cause,” Dane said.
“I’ve personally got a bit of experience riding motorbikes in fairly remote parts of New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory…we’re both quite mechanically minded as well.”
The Shitbox Rally itself is currently in its 13th year, with its Spring rally already raising over $1.3 million for the Cancer Council.
A “great cause in general”, the fight to find a cure for cancer hits close to home for Heath, whose family members have battled with the disease.
“I’m getting a bit older so the threat of cancer and how it might impact you becomes more relevant,” Heath said.
“You just want to do your bit for your family and the wider community and hopefully assist in some way to try to find a cure for cancer…that would be great.”
To donate to Heath and Dane’s team, called Neither Fast or Furious, head to spring2022.shitboxrally.com.au/neither-fast-or-furious
