Manheim Australia is the auction partner for the ‘Shitbox Rally’, with an array of adventure mobiles to be sold online between May 3-6.
The rally challenges participants to drive their chariots, costing $1500 or less, across some of Australia’s most gruelling routes in the name of charity.
The Shitbox Rally 2024 – Autumn event was held between April 12 and 20 and took participants from Adelaide to Perth via a revised 4976km route.
This iteration was unlike any other, with weather necessitating a series of chaotic last-minute changes, adding an 1176km total detour passing through remote towns, including Coober Pedy, Penong, and Caiguna.
A convoy of 260 teams participated in the 2024 Autumn rally, raising $2.9 million for the independent charity, Cancer Council. Box Rallies (Shitbox Rally and Mystery Box Rally) are the leading individual fundraisers for Cancer Council nationally, generating more than $45 million for cancer research.
Among the participants was the United States Ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy. Ambassador Kennedy and consulate colleagues formed ‘Team Moonshot’ and took their old Ford Falcon from go-to- whoa, raising a massive $340,000 in the process.
Every Shitbox Rally features an array of roadworthy and registered cars decorated for the occasion, and this year was no exception.
Popular choices included Aussie-made Toyota Camrys and Avalons, Ford Falcons and Holden Commodores. However, some left-of-centre models included a Nissan 300ZX, a 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300D, a Volvo 740 wagon, and convertible VW Beetle and Peugeot 206 versions.
A selection of the vehicles that made it to the Perth finish line will be sold off unregistered via a Manheim Online BidNow auction, with all funds raised again going towards Cancer Council.
Ambassador Kennedy’s team elected to keep their vehicle so it would not be among those up for auction.
“We’re proud to support Shitbox Rally as an auction partner,” said Manheim Australia Director of Operations Sean Kinsey. “It’s an incredible, community-led event that gives life-long memories to participants and raises millions for a cause that touches every one of us.”
The next Shitbox Rally is the Winter 2024 event, slated to take participants on a circuitous route from Melbourne to Alice Springs. Manheim will auction many of the competitor vehicles again via the live auction process.
