MEDIA BACKGROUNDER: SHITBOX RALLY May 2017

About Box Rallies

2017 marks the eighth Shitbox Rally – this time travelling to via the Track and the Plenty Highway (27 May to 2 June).

Shitbox Rally is a challenge to drive cars worth $1,000 or less across Australia via some of its toughest roads to raise money for cancer research.

The rally is not a race. It’s a colourful event, attracting a loyal following of ‘Shitboxers’ – some of whom have completed the rally every year since its inception. They are brought together after experiencing cancer themselves or seeing cancer impact family and friends. It’s a chance to meet like-minded people and see Australia’s vast and beautiful country via its red dirt roads, hills and creek beds, ending each day at sports ovals and race courses and more, camping under the stars and enjoying rally friendships.

To participate, each team must raise a minimum of $4,000.

Shitbox Rally has raised $7.52 million since 2010 and is on track to raise $1.5 million this year.

About James Freeman Founder, Shitbox Rally

James Freeman founded Shitbox Rally in 2009 after both of his parents died from cancer within 12 months of each other.

James also developed Mystery Box Rally and has held two Shitbox Rallies in New Zealand. The rally has become the largest independent fundraiser for Cancer Council nationally, raising more than $10 million for cancer research.

While steering Box Rallies, James became a Finalist for Australian of the Year, SA in 2015. He has also been Nominated for Australian of the Year 2017.

James previously forged a career running small to medium sized businesses in an ownership or senior management position. He lived overseas for 12 years, working in London, New York and Dubai.

Footage

Shitbox Rallies has a small dedicated production team on each rally, capturing stills and vision each day. See image galleries for Box Rallies here https://www.flickr.com/photos/shitboxrally/sets

Social media footage can be seen on the official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pg/shitboxrally/videos/

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Team stories

Shitbox Rally team members are available to share their stories. Contact PR Manager Michelle Prak, 0409 964 331 or [email protected] for more.

The 2017 route and itinerary

2017 marks the eighth Shitbox Rally. It travels a 3,800km, seven-day route from Adelaide to Cairns via the Oodnadatta Track and Plenty Highway, from 27 May to 2 June. Itinerary below:

DAY DETAILS NIGHT STOP OVER & ACTIVITIES Day 1 7:30am Arrive at start line ROXBY DOWNS Saturday 27 Torrens Parade Ground, Victoria Drive May Adelaide RoxbyLink

Community Centre & 563 kms Oval Sealed 9:15am Depart Adelaide Pioneer Drive 4:00pm Arrive – ROXBY DOWNS

Sunrise: 6:30pm Dinner 7:10am Sunset: 5:30pm Day 2 6:30am Breakfast OODNADATTA Sunday 28 May 8:30am Depart Racetrack

All Day Dress Up Day: 453 kms 5:00pm Arrive – OODNADATTA Everything Yellow Unsealed

6:30pm Dinner Sunrise: 7:09am Sunset: 5:42pm Day 3 7:00am Breakfast Monday 29 8:30am Depart Pioneer Park Racecourse May Stuart Hwy, Connellan 206 kms 5:30pm Arrive – ALICE SPRINGS Unsealed 447 kms 6:30pm Dinner Sealed

Sunrise: 7:09am Sunset: 5:55pm

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Day 4 6:30am Breakfast TOBERMOREY STATION Tuesday 30 8:00am Depart Plenty Hwy May

171 kms 5:30pm Arrive – TOBERMOREY Activity/Entertainment Sealed 386 STATION : Trump does Shitbox kms Unsealed (all day fancy dress) 6:30pm Dinner Sunrise: 7:08am Sunset: 6:05pm Day 5 7:00am Breakfast BURKE & WILLS Wed 31 May 8:30am Depart ROADHOUSE

186 kms Unsealed 5pm Arrive – BURKE & WILLS 108 kms ROADHOUSE Sealed 130 kms 6:30pm Dinner Unsealed 107 kms DaySealed 6 7:00am Breakfast EINASLEIGH Thursday 1 8:30am Depart SunrJunei se: 7:10am Suns489 ketm: s 5:00pm EINASLEIGH 5:50pmSealed 108 Unsealed 6:30pm Dinner

Sunrise: Day 7 6:40am 6:30am Breakfast Friday 2 June Sunset:

5:50pm 4:00pm Arrive – CAIRNS 54 kms

Unsealed

326 kms Sealed

Sunrise: 6:40am Post Rally 9:00am Post Rally Auction Sunset:

5:50pm Saturday 3 Cairns Showground June

Car auction after rally

Shitbox Rally ends with a car auction on Saturday 3 June. See an incredible array of cars of all shapes and sizes. There is no reserve on any cars – all will be sold. Having taken part in Shitbox Rally 2017, many have had recent mechanical work done. Those buying cars will be helping raise funds for the fight against cancer.

When: Saturday 3 June 2017 Open for public viewings from 9am. Auction begins 10am.

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Where: Cairns Showground, 109-127 Mulgrave Rd, Parramatta Park QLD

Box Rallies media contact:

Michelle Prak 0409 964 331 [email protected]

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