A WEEK long rural odyssey not only thrilled South East motoring enthusiasts, but raised valuable funds for the fight against blood cancers.
Held over seven days, the Leukaemia Foundation Aussie Muscle Car Run allowed car lovers to hit the road together in high-powered vehicles earlier this year in support of the charity.
Teams travelled from Adelaide through to Fleurieu Peninsula, Tailem Bend, Mildura, Renmark, Wilpena Pound, Barossa Valley and then back to Adelaide.
Over $60,000 dollars was raised by four South East teams contributing to the total $540,000 raised through the annual event.
Car 69 Entrepreneurial Bogans drivers Tom Stokker and Mick Mullan recently shared their journey with The Border Watch.
“Our first stop after driving the Fleurieu Peninsula was at The Bend Motorsport Park,” Mr Mullan said.
“It is such an awesome facility and while we were there they held an additional fundraiser where cars were able to pay $40 to drive the track.
“I think there were almost 100 cars, so an extra $4000 was raised to go towards the Leukaemia Foundation.”
“While we were at Tailem Bend, we had an issue with our front tyre while going around a corner … we sorted that out quite quickly though.”
However, the team missed out on the Pinnaroo Show and Shine, but soon caught back up with the other 60 cars for the Mildura drag race event.
“When we participated in the drags, we broke three out of the four exhaust brackets,” Mr Mullan said.
“Someone we knew gave us a hoist in Mildura and a team from Port Lincoln came with us.
“You could not fit six men under a hoist, but whenever we needed help an arm would reach in.”
It was the first run for a Port Lincoln team which was also hit with mechanical troubles.
“They broke down in Peterborough, so we waited around with them until they were fixed,” Mr Mullan said.
“They only had their car on the road for a week before they left for the run, so they were still finding the gremlins.”
Mr Mullan and Mr Stokker were particularly captivated by their trip through Wilpena Pound.
“We really noticed the impact of drought,” Mr Mullan said.
“You forget how lucky we are here because it is all green and lush.
“We plan to go back there as it is a very scenic drive, one of those things you can add to your bucket list.”
While staying in Wilpena Pound, the team was served a traditional meal of kangaroo.
“When we got there, we were presented with a welcoming ceremony,” Mr Mullan said.
“I had never tried kangaroo before, its gamey but something different.”
The event ended with presentations in Adelaide.
One of Mr Stokker’s highlights of the event was a strong performance at the Mildura drags.
“I did not finish it front, but I was in front for most of the day,” he said.
“Normally I am last, but this time I was first.
“I also enjoyed driving at the Mallala Motorsport Park at the end of the run.”
Mr Mullan believes their three-speed automatic 77 LX Hatchback Torana suited the Mallala course better than the Tailem Bend track.
“The track suited the Torana a bit better, but the GTs have longer legs so longer straights work better for them,” he said.
“The Torana goes alright on the more whippy tracks.”
Although there was a social aspect to the run, the team did not lose sight of why they were there.
“Generally people are there for a reason, we have done our fundraising and we are there to enjoy it,” Mr Mullan said.
“It is so busy all the time from dawn to dusk, you are always doing something.
“You are fixing your car, helping someone else fix a car, driving and then cleaning the car before you go to the next event.”
All money raised goes to the Leukaemia Foundation.
“If people have a suitable car from the ’60s or ’70s, we encourage them to enter next year,” Mr Mullan said.
“If not, donating is the next best thing.”
Mr Mullan and Mr Stokker thanked their sponsors and those that donated to the fundraiser.
