Two Air Force officers are gearing up to drive a $900 Corolla, 3815 kilometres in eight days as part of this year’s Shitbox Rally, raising funds for cancer research along the way.
The route spans from Mildura to Townsville, taking in the Flinders Ranges, the Birdsville Track and the Gulf of Carpentaria from June 19 to 27.
This will be Squadron Leader Jessica Aldred’s third rally. She bought the vehicle at an online auction in December last year and drove it back to North Queensland from Brisbane in two days.
The team named their vehicle ‘Tankette’ after the historical term for a mini-tank.
Over her weekends, Squadron Leader Aldred sanded it down, painted it brown and fitted a roof pod with a water cannon made from plumbing pipes.
The military theme also connects to their final destination – the home of Australia’s armoured brigade, 3rd Brigade.
“Driving that many kilometres is hard, but fighting cancer is harder,” Squadron Leader Aldred said.
“The idea of sitting in traffic and seeing this Corolla that’s a tank, shooting water out the front, makes people laugh.”
Shitbox Rally is not a race, it’s a challenge to drive cars under $1500 across Australia.
“75 per cent of the route is dirt roads, which is more than any other rally,” she said.
‘Driving that many kilometres is hard, but fighting cancer is harder.’
To participate, teams had to raise a minimum of $5000.
“Tankette has raised about $8500 for this rally so far, bringing my personal three-rally fundraising total to over $30,000,” Squadron Leader Aldred said.
They will be driving 500 to 600 kilometres a day in groups.
While smooth runs mean arriving before sunset, breakdowns within the group can push arrival times later into the night.
Participants camp in swags and tents to keep vehicle weight down, with meals provided by local community groups.
This will be the first rally for Wing Commander Paul McGinty, who jumped at the chance after being introduced to the event during a family road trip.
He is no stranger to long-haul driving, completing a lap around Australia in 2024.
His role in the rally will be maintaining overall cabin morale by operating Tankette’s turret and co-driving.
Wing Commander McGinty said everyone knew someone impacted by cancer in their lives.
“We are in the group of people out there trying to do something about it. I think [it] is an absolutely wonderful thing,” he said.
“If you’re up for a bit of excitement or a bit of adventure, and love the Australian outback, then it’s too good of an opportunity to pass up whilst making a difference as well.”
Defence image Squadron Leader Jessica Aldred and ‘Tankette’ in front of an ASLAV and M1A2 Abrams, with 2nd Cavalry Regiment’s Major Trent Lamb, Corporal Wade Purcell, unit mascot ‘Courage’ the wedge-tailed eagle and Major Benjamin Sheppard. Photos: Major Blake Sheriff
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