Rallying funds for cancer

REUNITING for a meaningful automotive adventure like no other, former tour operator Patrick Liston, and car salesman Terry Austin are hitting the road.

As participants in the 2019 Spring Shitbox Rally, the Ballarat pair have joined forces to drive a rundown vehicle 3614kms from Altona to Townsville via Birdsville, raising money for the Cancer Council.

Originally travelling together in 1985’s Australasian Safari, ‘Patto and Fox’ will ride in a 2000 model Toyota Camry next month, moving along dirt roads most the way.

The pair recently paid only $150 for the car, which will be auctioned to a motor wrecker at the finish line, raising further funds.

“It’s an auto, so we’re travelling in style,” Mr Liston laughed. “It’s not a bad old car.”

Twelve years ago, Mr Austin experienced cancer. Mr Liston’s brother also died from the disease 20 years ago, and his son’s friend lost his life from the illness at age 37, leaving behind two children.

Considering the Shitbox Rally’s cause was so close to home, the duo thought it appropriate to “get the band back together.

“Everyone’s affected by cancer. There’s lots suffering,” Mr Liston said. “I enjoy going for a drive in the outback, it’s for a worthy cause and we’re having some fun.”

For more than 200 registered teams of two, tents and swags will be home each night after driving about 500km a day.

All participants need to have seats available for passengers as they travel through and stop at remote, drought-stricken communities of New South Wales and Queensland.

“You’ve got to have room because there’s a chance that one or more of the vehicles are going to die, for sure,” Mr Liston said.

“It will be a challenge driving these old cars through the outback along dusty, rocky, corrugated tracks.”

Shitbox Rally organisers hope to raise more than $2 million from the event. ‘Patto and Fox’ have already exceeded the minimum $5000 they needed be invited to the starting line, but they want that number to grow.

Head to 2019spring.shitboxrally.com.au/patto-and-fox to discover how you can support the team.