Shit Box Rally – Boîte de Merde Ralley – Mia Méra: Rally
Yes the greatest motoring event of the year, the annual Shit Box Rally where 200 cars costing no more than $1,000 drive 3,500 very long kms, sometimes in circles despite relatively modern technology, around outback Australia and Tasmania has begun.
We started this great event on the esplanade at Mackay with at least 5 curious locals, a dog and a yet unidentified life forms looking on.
Mackay used to have a population of 120,000 but after the run down in mining 30,000 people have left. Houses that were selling for $850,000 can't get buyers at $250,000. But the people are great and the influx of 500 rally drivers and their hangers on certainly lifted the spirits of those 5 locals, dog and yet unidentified life form.
Anyway, after a rousing team photo the Rally got underway at exactly 0930hrs. The motor in the mighty Ford Falcon BA Ute throbbing in anticipation of the 680 miles ahead to the lovely but remote town of Blackall. After an hour and a few wrong turns we finally got out of Mackay and were on more or less the right road.
Arriving in Blackall at 11pm last night to me was a highlight…to others, particularly the good souls from the Country Women's Association, it was a black mark.