ARARAT’S Barkly Street was given a wake-up call on Monday morning as the Great Escape car rally for Cystic Fibrosis Australia set off for its 3800-kilometre journey.
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About 40 cars and 150 participants set off for the 10-day rally having held scrutineering on Sunday and breakfast at J-Ward.
School students and passers-by were serenaded with a chorus of horns, flashing light, sirens, engine revving and a Torana letting off clouds of oil smoke.
Among the drivers joining the first leg to Loxton was rally regular Ron Harris.
The almost complete circuit will take the rally into South Australia and up to Coober Pedy before heading back to the coast at Streaky Bay and finishing at Mount Gambier.
Mr Harris and Car 25 were able to pass the $10,000 milestone thanks to a $400 donation from Ararat’s Bendigo Bank.
“We’re very happy with all the sponsors we have gotten in the last four months,” Mr Harris said.
“All the sponsors on our car have all donated $200 and upwards, which will take us over the $10,000 level.
“Every year the rally donates about $400,000 while we’re out there raising money and awareness for cystic fibrosis.”
Cystic Fibrosis is a life-threatening genetic disorder affecting the lungs and digestive system.
Cystic Fibrosis Australia funds research into better treatments and ultimately a cure for the condition.
Mr Harris and his teammates will be travelling in his trusty 1975 Holden Statesman named in honour of Melbourne Cup-winning racehorse Black Caviar.
“We arrived at the name Car 25 after Black Caviar and her 25 wins,” he said
“We decided to have 25 dots that could be sponsored and covered with logos at $200 each so that we know we’ll be will be in the leading fundraisers this year.”
Mr Harris said he was looking forward to the camaraderie of taking part in the rally with Tony Carra and Wayne Ford.
“Tony is one of the guys in town that always looks after and drives fast cars, and he’s coming along with Wayne, who came away with me in 2006.
“It’s been 11 years since we were in the rally together and I’m looking forward to it.”
Mr Harris and his teammates have raised between $8000 and $9000 during previous Great Escape rallies.