Local hot rodding identities Sharon Soldatos and Stacey Raselli are set to take part in the July edition of the Cancer Council’s Shitbox Rally fundraiser.
The ‘Lightning Queens’ will be making the journey in a four-door BA Ford Falcon Station, which was originally purchased by late hot rodder and Graffiti publications founder Larry O’Toole from Castlemaine’s former Hunt and Lobb Ford Dealership in 2005.
“The challenge requires you to drive a car to the value of $1500 on the 3000km route. We approached Larry’s wife Mary about using his wagon and she kindly agreed to support us,” Sharon said.
‘Shazza and Razza’ as they have been dubbed and their Lightning McQueen themed station wagon will tackle a nine-day trek from Port Douglas to Melbourne to raise as much money as they can for this worthy cause.
To kick off their campaign, the dynamic duo will be hosting a fundraiser hosted by Rod and Carol Hadfield at Hadfields Hot Rods in 624 Pyrenees Highway, Chewton this Sunday April 12 and invite the whole community to go along and help them raise funds for this important cause.
The family-friendly event will run from 10am-3pm and will include car displays, food vendors, live music by Four Door Shitbox (appropriately named band for the day!) and a bar.
“We encourage everyone to come along and enjoy the fun. We will be having a ‘Wear your oldest Car Tee Comp’ and it is a great opportunity to see Haddy’s Automotive Museum. It will be a fantastic family day out for a wonderful cause,” Stacey said.
The pair said they were keen to tackle the challenge as they are passionate about trying to make a difference and raise funds to enable the Cancer Council to research this dreaded disease.
“We have all been touched by stories of friends, relatives, children who have lost their fight and by those who are still fighting the horrible ‘C’. It does not discriminate. This is our little way of fighting back,” Sharon said.
The pair were scheduled to leave in May for the autumn rally but this has just been postponed due to the war and fuel crisis. They will now depart from Port Douglas in July and make the nine-day trek inland via The Oasis Roadhouse, Aramac, Toompine, Louth, Narrandera and Dargo to Melbourne.
“We will stop at remote outback towns (just like Radiator Springs!). We will tackle rough roads and camp along the way. We can’t be Queens!” they said.
Shazza and Razza thank all the local businesses for their generous support in getting the BA ready for the rally including: PJ’s Tyres, Tom at Castlemaine Hydraulics, CAE Performance Products, Hadfield Hot Rods, Action Auto, Pedders, Burson Auto Parts, Thompson Transport and Glen Rewell who has done the outstanding livery on the car. You can check it out at this Sunday’s fundraiser.
Entry to Sunday’s event is $20 per car, $10 per person (walk in) and $5 to visit the museum. Can’t make it? You can still support the cause by donating at autumn2026.shitboxrally.com.au/lightning-queens/donate
