Rally with a difference returns to NZ

The Shitbox Rally is coming back to New Zealand in February 2017, with registrations open for 100 Kiwi teams to join the challenge.

Box Rallies founder James Freeman launched a Kiwi version of the event in late-2015, replicating the Australian rally that has been running since 2010.

Teams take used cars of incredibly low value (and therefore quality), then drive them thousands of kilometres over the worst possible roads to raise money for the Cancer Society of NZ.

Freeman created the event after losing both of his parents to cancer in the space of 12 months. The rally has been the largest single charity contributor to the Australian Cancer Council since 2010: around A$6.4 million so far.

The inaugural Kiwi event was run in February this year, on outof-the-way roads all over the North Island. This year, the rally takes to the South Island.

It kicks off in Te Waipounamu on February 25, with 200 participants (an equal number from each side of the Tasman) taking on a seven-day round trip from Christchurch.

Cars have to be worth less than $1700, warranted and fully insured. The vehicles are sourced by Manheim with the Box Rallies team and auctioned off in a private event the day before the event begins.

The idea is that without the need to source their own cars, teams can put more effort into fundraising.

Indeed, the more you raise you the better the car, because teams can only bid based on their fundraising amounts. Once the ‘purchase’ is made, teams have 24 hours to decorate their vehicles before the event starts.

Teams must raise a minimum of $4500 to enter the event.

It’s not a race and teams are encouraged to support each other as much as possible, leading to a few MacGyver moments as people try to get their rubbish cars to the finish line.

The Box Rallies team also provides full support, including recovery gear and trailers, to that ensure nobody is left behind.

‘‘Many of us have been affected by cancer in one way or another,’’ says Freeman. ‘‘The rally is a unique way of bringing the community together to combat the cause, raise awareness and support the Cancer Society of NZ.

‘‘It brings together like-minded people that otherwise may never meet, in adventure all for a good cause.’’

‘‘The rally is a unique way of bringing the community together.’’ Jason Freeman