Two Central Coast teams are about to swap school runs and work weeks for something a little dustier, louder… and significantly more questionable.
This week, Team Sliding Bores and Team Cheeky Bums will join the Winter 2026 Shitbox Rally, driving from Mildura to Townsville in cars worth no more than $1,500.
What is the Shitbox Rally?
For the uninitiated, Shitbox Rally is not a race. It’s a seven-day challenge that sees teams drive budget cars across some of Australia’s toughest roads, raising money for Cancer Council along the way.
Since the first rally in 2010, the event has raised more than $65 million for cancer research.
This year’s Winter Rally is taking place from Friday 19 June to Saturday 27 June 2026. It will take teams through some seriously remote country, including the Flinders Ranges, Birdsville Track and Gulf of Carpentaria, before reaching the finish line in Townsville. Around 70% of the route is expected to be on unsealed roads, so this is less family road trip and more please let the gearbox hold together!
The Loop is Central Coast’s most inclusive night out
Meet the Central Coast teams heading to the Winter 2026 Shitbox Rally
Niagara Park local Garth Schwartz is taking on his first rally with Tasmania-based mate Ian Mackintosh as Team Sliding Bores. The pair have already raised more than $10,000, with plenty of support from friends, family and Central Coast businesses.
For Garth, who travelled Australia with his family in 2022 and 2023, the rally is a chance to get back out exploring the country – just this time in a car that costs less than a decent lounge.
“From Mungerannie and the Birdsville Track to Karumba and Chillagoe, the rally will take us places most people never go, let alone in a car worth less than $1,500,” Garth said.
Ian has been busy getting the car rally-ready, including rebuilding the clutch and gearbox before bringing it over from Tasmania. Since arriving on the Coast, he’s been gathering spare parts, donated goods and the odd marketplace treasure before hitting the road.
Joining them are Watanobbi locals Sarah and Paul Marynissen, better known as Team Cheeky Bums.
Paul is a four-time rally veteran, while Sarah is lining up for her third Shitbox Rally. Together, they’ve raised more than $17,000 for Cancer Council over the past three years.
For Paul and Sarah, the rally is deeply personal. They drive in memory of Paul’s dad, who died from lung cancer just over 10 years ago, and this year they’ll also be remembering their mate Jack, a fellow rallier who died earlier this year.
Their team name is not just for laughs, either. As part of their fundraising, Sarah and Paul created a calendar-girls style ‘Cheeky Bums’ calendar featuring – you guessed it – their own cheeky bum photos in various locations!
Big hearts & beat-up cars
The two Central Coast teams have been placed in the same buddy group for the rally, with Paul and Sarah sharing advice and rally know-how with first-timers Garth and Ian.
Together, they’ll be representing the Coast on one of Australia’s wildest fundraising adventures – all for a cause that means a great deal to so many families.
To donate or follow the teams, check out Team Sliding Bores and Team Cheeky Bums via the Shitbox Rally Winter 2026 website or follow Team Sliding Bores and Team Cheeky Bums on Facebook.
We’ll be cheering them on from home and sending all the good-luck vibes their way.
May these dodgy old cars make it all the way to Townsville!
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