We’re Barry (Auckland) and Dan (Brisbane) – a father-and-son duo who should know better – taking on the Shitbox Rally Winter 2026, driving from Mildura to Townsville in a car worth less than $1,500. In our case, that dubious honour belongs to a well-worn Ford Mondeo we picked up for $900. It has air-conditioning that works when it feels like it, a mysterious coolant habit we’d prefer not to interrogate too closely, and an interior that once supported entire civilisations of grime-based lifeforms.
Seven days, thousands of kilometres, and absolutely no guarantee the Festering Ford will make it past the first servo. The odds are not improved by our ambitious plan to keep it running with basic tools, duct tape, and whatever parts we can scavenge.
But the rally isn’t just about survival. We’re raising money for the Cancer Council, supporting research that helps families everywhere. Our team name says it all: we’d rather be on motorbikes, but the organisers cruelly insist on cars. So instead, we’re tackling the outback in our Mondeo of questionable provenance and structural integrity, held together with number 8 fencing wire and a level of optimism that exceeds our mechanical skills.
Every team must raise at least $5,000, and every dollar goes directly to the Cancer Council. Your support – whether it’s a donation, a share, or just cheering us on when we inevitably break down – genuinely makes a difference.
We'd rather be on motorbikes... are fundraising for Cancer Council
They're doing what!?
Shitbox Rally is a 7-day challenge like no other. Participants drive cars worth no more than $1,500 through some of Australia's most stunning (and often rugged) landscapes, all in support of cancer research. It's not a race — it's a challenge and more importantly, a celebration of the power of community.
Yes, the cars break down, and yes, there are plenty of unexpected twists along the way, but that's all part of the fun.
The rally is designed to be a colourful and unpredictable experience, where teams travel in small groups, helping each other along the way.
And when the day's drive ends, we gather around the campfire, share stories, and reflect on the day's achievements.
This event brings together people who have been impacted by cancer in different ways — whether it's through their own battles or through loved ones. Together we'll make memories that last a lifetime while supporting the fight against cancer.
Donate NowEvery rally. Every dollar.
Directly to Cancer Council.
Box Rallies is the largest funder of cancer research in Australia — outside of the government. Every dollar supports Cancer Council.
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Leading development of a novel epigenetic test to more accurately determine tumour risk — particularly for tumours misclassified by current clinical tools.
Developed innovative x-ray hardware under $0.5M that produces MRI-quality images and captures 3D scans during live treatment delivery.
Targeting pancreatic cancer via anti-fibrotic NID2 therapy combined with Gemcitabine/Abraxane chemotherapy to stratify and improve treatment outcomes.
Exploring genomics to identify high-risk patients earlier and guide development of new therapeutic strategies — improving survival chances.
Advanced pre-clinical evaluation of sphingosine kinase 1-targeting agents as a therapy for acute myeloid leukaemia.
Advancing CAR-T cell therapy for extracranial solid paediatric cancers.
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Harnessing epigenetics for early detection of residual and recurrent breast cancer through advanced liquid biopsy testing.
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A new targeted therapy for resistant HER2-positive breast cancers.
