The prospect of corrugated bush tracks, bog holes, mountains of dust and creek crossings hasn’t been enough to deter more than 40 outback adventure seekers so far from putting up their hands for this year’s Great Endeavour Rally in New South Wales.
The test of endurance will trek 3,300 kilometres, after its flag off in Parramatta on 18 October, to Dubbo, over eight days, via the Flinders Ranges in South Australia. Along the way it will take in the likes of Booligal and Pooncarie, the kind of places many people would be hard pressed to even point to on a map.
The big test will come mid-event when the rally spends two days amongst the rugged Flinders Ranges in central South Australia. If the trip hasn’t yet sorted out the champs from the pretenders, the stunning national park with its rough tracks will certainly provide a huge challenge.
“The aim for us is always to go places that are hard to find on the map and even harder to go alone”, said Rally Coordinator Joel Stephens. “It becomes an adventure holiday with friends into the heart of outback Australia.”
“For the vast majority of entrants the rally is as much about raising funds for people with a disability as it is about challenging their vehicles and themselves.”
“All the entrants are champions in the eyes of the people with a disability in New South Wales who will benefit from the funds raised.”
Interstate rivalry may also be on the agenda with the inaugural event in 2013 being taken out by the Queensland family team of Martin, Rowena and Karen Crouch in their 1977 Holden wagon.
That win put the Crouch family on a roll because they also backed up to win the 2014 Queensland Great Endeavour Rally which took place in July.
The event also generates fierce competition for prizes which include Overall Winner, Best Presented Vehicle and, of course, the Lost, Found and Broken Down Award.
Since 1988, the Great Endeavour Rally has covered large parts of the country and travelled as far north as Arnhem Land in the Top End and as far west as Broome in Western Australia. It has raised $8.5 million for Endeavour Foundation – a not-for-profit organisation which supports people with a disability in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.
“If you want to test your rally car to the limit, or just take the family car on a road trip with a difference, then the Great Endeavour Rally and Cruise is you,” said Mr Stephens.
The main rally course takes in some challenging bush roads and scrubby tracks, while the cruise course is suitable to any car that doesn’t mind a few gravel roads.
The Great Endeavour Rally is one of the most affordable charity motoring events in Australia. Entries close on Friday 3 October. For more rally information, or to register, visit great.endeavour.com.au
You can also call 1800 63 40 40 or email rally@endeavour.com.au
SUBSCRIBE BELOW TO READ THE FULL STORY
