Sh*tbox Rally Team Interview

Sh*tbox Rally Team Interview

As the name suggests, it's all about beaten up old bombs. But this is no typical rally. The teams will drive beaten-up old cars from Melbourne to Cains with the challenge of getting to North Queensland in one piece by 20 April! The one catch is that the cars must be worth less than $1,000.

The 2012 Shitbox Rally will feature more than 150 teams that will depart Melbourne on 14 April for a road trip of a lifetime. Each team will have two drivers and need to raise a minimum of $4,000 to be able to take part in the event. Each team is also responsible for creating its own individual theme and personality for the car.

Interview with Kirsty Deane, Jo Gates and Maria Daley

Question: What is the Sh*tbox Rally?

Kirsty Deane: It's a pretty unique event for the adventurous type of person who wants to make a difference to a greater cause. We take a bunch of banged up old cars and then drive them around the country to raise funds for the Cancer Council - all of the cars have to be worth less than $1000. It's bucket loads of fun too.

Jo Gates: It's a 'cannonball run' style rally adventure which raises funds for the Cancer Council NSW. Teams compete by fundraising their entry fee, then driving across Australia in a car that must be <$1000 in value (hence the term 'sh*tbox'). It's a really great way to get involved in a great charity.

Maria Daley: Imagine the worst car you could possibly choose to take on a roadtrip between Melbourne and Cairns (and not the lovely coastal route!) ad a bunch of people with a bit of a warped sense of humour and tonnes of dust -raise at least $4000 for the cancer council before you start the drive, and that is essentially the sh*tbox rally!


Question: Can you tell us about your team?

Kirsty Deane: Our team is a group of three chicks Me, Maria and Jo. We've known each other for years and used to work together. We get along great and have loads of laughs together. We're all pretty out-there fun loving girls so it's going to be a hoot.

Jo Gates: We are a team of three good mates looking for the adventure of a lifetime. Kirsty is the veteran, having raced last year in cahoots with her dad. Maria and I are new to the experience. We reckon we have what it takes to win this thing! Its girl power all the way. Each of us has been personally affected by Cancer in some way in the last 12 months, so we all have reasons to make it a trip to remember and have a ball whilst we do it.

Maria Daley: Three chicks on a mission to kick cancer's ar*e.


Question: How did you go about organising a car for the Rally?

Kirsty Deane: We wanted a car with a bit of spunk and character - it would have been easy to pick up an old Toyota or Ford, but we figured there'd be loads of them and we want to stand out. We hunted down an old Saab on eBay and had a friend who knows cars take a look at it for us. When the seller found out about the cause she dropped her price down to $500 for us, so we were able to use the rest of the budget to get an oil leak fixed.

Jo Gates: Kirsty used a SAAB in the 2011 rally and lived to tell the tale, so when another SAAB in our price range popped up on eBay, we went for it! It's also good to have a car that's a little out of the ordinary and stands out from the herd of Commodores and Camry's that are most of the cars in this price range.


Question: Why did you decide to participate in the Sh*tbox Rally?

Kirsty Deane: I did the rally last year with my Dad - it was an incredible experience and I loved every minute of it. Whilst I was on the bus on my way to the airport to catch my flight home to Sydney my husband called me and broke the news that Jo had been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. It was a complete sledgehammer after just spending a week having an amazing time and meeting amazing people, but it really drove home to me the relevance of the fundraising side of the rally and why it's so important to do what we can to step up and help in the fight against Cancer. Cancer bites.

Jo Gates: I was so excited watching Kirsty prepare in 2011 that I knew I wanted to take part one day. While Kirsty was on the road in the 2011 rally, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, which was a huge shock. I didn't want Kirsty to know my diagnosis until she went past the finish line. It kind of put a fresh meaning on the cause for all of us and for me personally, the 2012 Rally became a personal goal that I could focus on that was the other side of my cancer treatment. And here we are - I have finished treatment, am well on the road to full health and the race is finally here!

Maria Daley: How could I not? Kirsty did such a great job last year and her stories of fun and camaraderie on last year's rally made it really appealing. The icing on the cake was that I had two friends be diagnosed with Cancer within a few months of each other last year (two women under the age of 40). Throughout their treatment, I was alerted to the fact that there is so much we don't know about this disease, but we are getting closer to understanding how it is best treated. So much more funding is needed for research into it.


Question: How can Australians donate to your team?

Kirsty Deane: We have a Facebook page at: www.Facebook.com/Anita.Tow or you can make donations directly at: www.Everydayhero.com.au/Anita_Tow. We also have a team video: www.Youtube.com


Question: What is your fundraising goal?

Kirsty Deane: Initially it was $4,000, but we just smashed through that with two months to go so we've upped it to $5,000. I have a sneaky feeling we're going to smash that too though!

Jo Gates: We're aiming for $5,000 but it would be amazing to get more.


Question: Why do you believe it is important to give something back and raise funds for an important cause?

Kirsty Deane: Cancer touches the lives of every Australian in one way or another, whether through personal battles or supporting family and loved ones through treatment. I recently lost a friend to Melanoma. He passed away only four months after diagnosis and was only 39 - It was a complete tragedy and my only hope is that by raising these funds I might help to increase the chances of saving the next person's life just by even a little bit. The Cancer Council do some amazing work to help minimise occurrences of Cancer and educate the community, and they also provide important help to cancer sufferers and their family and friends. I believe that each of us has a role to play in the fight to beat Cancer.

Jo Gates: I was able to see the great work the Cancer Council does through my own experience with Cancer. They offered a presence and education and support that I really needed and asked for nothing in return. For some people Cancer Council is the only resource they have. It's a great feeling to be able to give back in some way so they can help the next person affected - or better still - research towards a cure.

Maria Daley: I know too many people who have been affected by Cancer. The cost associated with research and treatment is incredible, every little penny helps.


Question: Can you talk about the preparation you are doing for the Melbourne to Cains drive?

Kirsty Deane: We've all had to step it up a bit in terms of our car knowledge, but our approach there has been kind of : "fake it 'till you make it". We figure there will be loads of willing blokes on the road who can help us out if we need it. Apart from that we've been making loads and loads of lists - our priority at the moment is deciding on our fancy dress costumes for each day!

Jo Gates: Well, our car is just about ready to go. We've listed the supplies we need and most importantly, planned a send off party with friends and family in Melbourne for when we arrive there.

Maria Daley: Lots of planning meetings to cover the essentials like- dress up outfits, playlists, Car painting, fundraising ideas and preparations. There is quite a bit of planning needed to get on the road - we are lucky that Kirsty has participated before and has the insider's edge!


Question: Have you participated in the Sh*tbox Rally previously?

Kirsty Deane: Yes, I did it last year with my Dad. It's so much more personal and meaningful this year though.

Jo Gates: Kirsty is the veteran, having raced last year in cahoots with her dad. Maria and I are new to the experience

Maria Daley: No.


Interview by Brooke Hunter