Wackadoo Let’s Go Cruise – Wonthaggi Shitbox 2024 winter rally

THE Wonthaggi Shitbox team are taking part in the 2024 winter rally that will kick off in Altona on June 15.  Nathan Laurens and Daniel Macafee have a goal to raise $15,000 – they’ll travel through outback towns and on less travelled roads over seven days before finishing up in Alice Springs on June 21.

Nathan is a Chef at Inverloch Coast Care Community and Daniel, a Finance Manager at Bay City Auto Group. Nathan had always wanted to take part in the annual fundraiser; sharing that he had his email registered for around seven years before he submitted a team.

“Then in 2020 I lost my uncle to Urothelial carcinoma (cancer in the bladder) so in 2022 I decided to submit a team and got accepted,” said Nathan. “So, this will be my third rally. We have since lost my partners grandfather and my step mum to cancer, so the rallies have even more meaning now.” Daniel has unfortunately also lost family and friends to Cancer. So, he is enthusiastic for his first rally.

“Together we have already raised $12,067, that's currently the highest we have done so far,” said Nathan.

This year's car is a 2005 Kia Pregio van; a five-speed manual with a diesel engine, generously donated by Island mowing. “Friends of mine brought the business and took over, so when they went to transfer the van into their name, it failed the roadworthy due to condition and rust. So, I brought it home and put it in the shed. I did all the rust repairs in my own time, and I had to completely remove all the interior and dashboard to get the heater controls working again,” said Nathan.

“It needed all new carpet and seats, so, I did a few trips to the wreckers, and after six months of work we got it through a roadworthy; it’s now painted it in the bluey theme like my other rally car. The van will have more room for spare parts and our camping gear.”

In attempt to reach their $15,000 goal, Nathan and Daniel have fundraised in the local community, holding a Bunnings sausage sizzle in Wonthaggi, running 100 number raffles where Nathan said he was lucky enough to get a signed Geelong and Collingwood Guernsey to raffle off, as well as generous support from local business sponsors and individual donations.

The rally isn't a race it's more of a challenge to get the cheap cars from the start to the finish. Driving on road's that these cars normally wouldn't handle, having to make roadside repairs or have the cars trailed to camp. “If the cars aren't able to drive out in the morning, then they are left behind and we jump in with another team,” said Nathan. “We’ll have dress up days - our two are punk and white wedding. We’ll also stay in small remote towns and put a lot of money into those smaller communities which is always beneficial.

Nathan and Daniels 2024 winter rally can be found on Facebook, follow their journey as they set off this month. Visit https://www.facebook.com/WackadooLetsGoCruise?mibextid=ZbWKwL