This year two Leeton shire residents will be taking part in the annual Shitbox Rally, which raises funds for the Cancer Council. 

Brett Deaton and Richard Ashton set off over the weekend to reach Mackay in Queensland, where the rally takes off from on Friday. 

As the name of the rally indicates, participants in the event are only allowed to drive vehicles worth $1000 or less. 

Both Mr Deaton and Mr Ashton have been working on their chariot of choice – a 1996 VS Holden Commodore – and were confident it would make the distance. 

After taking off from Mackay, the rally will weave its way through the outback and small towns before making a water crossing on the Spirit of Tasmania to cross the finish line in Hobart.

“I think we’re the only two from the Riverina taking part,” Mr Deaton said. 

“People come from all over the country to be part of it (the rally). 

“We’ve had lots of long nights getting the car up-to-scratch. 

“Hopefully we won’t have too many problems with it along the way. 

“I reckon it should be fine.”

The rally mainly consists of off-road driving and challenging roads for the 400 participants taking part in 2016. 

The rally was founded in 2009 and, in the last six years, has raised more than $6.36 million for cancer research, making it the largest independent fundraiser for the Cancer Council.

The Leeton team has already raised close to $6000 for the event. 

“It’s mainly come through sponsorship and different things like that,” Mr Deaton said. 

“I reckon we’ll definitely be doing it again next year, so we’ll probably do a bit more fundraising in the lead up. 

“The support has been really good though.”

To qualify to be in the rally, supporters must have raised a minimum of $4000.

“Next year we’ll make it bigger,” Mr Deaton said. 

“We wanted to see how the first year went. 

“We’re really looking forward to it. I think what we’re looking forward to is finally getting on the road.”

To follow the pair’s journey over the next 10 days visit the Prolop Shitbox Rally Team 2016 Facebook page.