An Australian-made leader in all-natural lubricants and protectants, Lanotec was pleased to support a family team in the Spring Shitbox Rally

Lanotec is proud to have supported a family team in the Spring 2024 Shitbox Rally, all in the name of raising money for cancer research.
Participating under the team Mayhem banner with the support of Lanotec, father and son Ross and Benjamin May honoured their daughter and sister Katie, who passed away 25 years ago after a brave five-year battle with Leukemia at the age of six.
The basis of the Shitbox Rally concept is not specifically competitive, but rather taking $1,500 vehicles across a formidable rural course in the name of charity and awareness raising.
Starting in Bendigo, the route for the rally took participants to Townsville via overnight stops in Pooncarie, Milparinka, Innamincka, Betoota, Isisford and Belyando Crossing.
All told, the event raised over $2,200,000 from the 225 registered teams, bringing the total raised by all Box Rallies to over $50 million in the aid of 63 different cancer research programs.
Against incredible competition, Mayhem tallied over $36,000 for the Cancer Council, far exceeding their original target of $20,000, with their total placing them in the top ten fundraisers for the event overall.
“For me personally, it’s 25 years since Katie died, I’m finding that my son Benjamin, who is 32 now, he is talking about it more, asking questions, he talks about his recollections, because he was anywhere from two years old to seven years old when it was happening,” Ross said.
“I thought to myself that it sounds like it is time for us to do something together to remember her and bring it out in the open.
“We come from a fairly small community, and we are doing a fair bit to open up about it…everyone has their story, cancer will affect almost everybody, and we’ve got to work our way through it together.
“The only way to make a better future is to put more money into finding answers.
“I think the Shitbox Rally is very inclusive, and something the entire community can be a part of.”

For the Rally, Mayhem secured a 2007 Ford Territory – although it was trashed inside, it started the event mechanically sound and in fitting with the event’s cost cap.
Importantly, the Territory offered an extensive canvas, with artists at a local school in Mansfield, Victoria, turning one of Katie’s pictures entitled “Dreaming” into a uniquely eye-catching livery.
Unfortunately, en route, the Territory succumbed to the tough course, and the crew switched to a spare Holden to complete the rally.
Mayhem coordinated various initiatives to assist in their quest to raise funds. This included an art auction featuring more than 20 pieces donated by local artists and private collectors from around the Mansfield area. Supporters also donated ten prizes for a raffle valued at over $3,500.

To support Mayhem’s mission, donations can be made at https://spring2024.shitboxrally.com.au/mayhem

Details on the Spring 2024 Shitbox Rally can be found at www.shitboxrally.com.au

For more from Lanotec, visit www.lanotec.com.au