The local economy received a welcome boost when 250 rally cars passed through Kerang on Saturday, where many of them stopped for lunch.
The rally challenges teams to drive cars worth less than $1000 across some of Australia’s most formidable roads, all in the name of charity.
The event, now in its 10th year, raises much-needed funds for the Cancer Council.
The spring version of the rally is being run for the first time this year, with teams travelling from Melbourne to Townsville, via Birdsville, over seven days.
An earlier run in May took competitors from Alice Springs to the Gold Coast, via the Gulf of Carpentaria.
The rally was first held in 2009, and since then has contributed nearly $15 million to the Cancer Council for education and research.
First-time competitors Vivienne and Mark Chase, who stopped in their “buddy group” of six vehicles at Atkinson Park on Saturday, were upbeat about the event.
“At this stage, the rally’s already raised $2 million,” Ms Chase said.
“You have to raise a minimum of $5000 to enter. We were on a wait list since April and we raised over $8000.
“We’re doing it in memory of three mates.”
Kerang and Swan Hill were the designated lunch stops for the group, which was headed to Wentworth, New South Wales to spend the night.
“We camp out every night,” Ms Chase said.
“And we support the communities we pass through.
“They supply food for dinner that we’ve given them money for, and of course we buy food and fuel in the towns.”
The competitors left Melbourne at 9am on Saturday and started arriving in Kerang around midday.
They are expected to reach the Birdsville Hotel today.
