2010
We’d like to thank everybody who has been following this space and who has supported the Great Escape, and Cystic Fibrosis Australia. For the 2010 Great Escape Car Rally we raised approximately $380,000; and these funds all go to providing Cystic Fibrosis Research and Services.
The results from the 2010 Great Escape are as below.
Braidwood to Bateman’s Bay
It’s all over for another year! We have very sadly celebrated the end of the 2010 Great Escape with many friends, new and old. Our final day gave us the opportunity to enjoy one last wacko section on a great track winding through rainforest on sharp, rocky roads as we headed towards Bateman’s Bay and the finish line.
We received a very warm welcome as we drove into Bateman’s Bay, and all breathed a collective sigh of relief that we had made it in one piece! (Although some cars were a little bit injured by the time we got there)
The evening in Bateman’s Bay gave all rally participants the opportunity to see some photos of the last ten days, debrief with all others on the rally, and congratulate the award winners on the night. There was also a treat in store as the start and finish points for the 2011 Great Escape were revealed and participants were able to register – we’re going from Tamworth to Port Douglas, and more than 20 teams are already on board!
Everyone is looking forward to catching up with each other then.
Wymah Valley to Braidwood
A last big driving day was a hard one, with many of the cars feeling the pressure! There was a broken axle, gearbox, clutch and many other rattles and bangs along the way, meaning a few of the cars will be limping to the finish line at Bateman’s Bay. Even beloved Rosie (the Cystic Fibrosis Australia bash car) is wounded and may need assistance to make it to the end!
The upside to the hard driving, was the beautiful scenery. We winded up and down spectacular hills, enjoyed two deep creek crossings and saw plenty along the way. With a full day of tight turns, a couple of cars left the road in places, although help was never far away to get them back on track and on our way to Braidwood.
We picked up a packed lunch in Tumbarumba before heading into the Snowy Mountains, were things were cool and snowy! There wasn’t snow on the road, but there was plenty on the side of the road as we drove past and stopped at lookouts.
Arriving in Braidwood was bittersweet for most rally participants, knowing that we’re on the downhill run to the finish line now. We played a little night time golf and enjoyed the entertainment at Braidwood Golf Club before getting ready for our final day and trip to Bateman’s Bay.
Moyston to Wymah Valley
Today was another long driving day, which started with a tricky wacko that saw many cars lost! Once finally back on track, the rally headed north from chilly Moyston, towards Shepparton for lunch. There were plenty of thrills, and one small spill with a tree and bumper bar both taking a hit! Luckily, there was not major car damage, and most importantly, no one was hurt.
The tracks provided plenty of tight turns, more mud and a few challenges for the navigator. As we passed through and near some larger towns (Shepparton and Albury), there were plenty of media opportunities along the way, which enabled the rally to give the public another insight into the fun and festivities that is The Great Escape.
As we neared our night spot, a few cars stopped at the famous Ettamoga pub, before arriving at Wymah were we enjoyed a night jam packed with auctions, silent auctions and entertainment. After plenty of bidding, dancing and singing, everyone is sad to be approaching the final few says of the rally.
Gemini Downs to Moyston
The morning started early, as we had plenty of road to cover today, and wanted to try to have cars in town before dark. However, as Road Boss Jamie Lawson soon found out, things on The Great Escape won’t always go to plan! Jamie was the first car to get bogged for the day, and was quickly followed by the official who tried to pull him out. It was only with seven snatchem straps and two four wheel drives that the road boss’s car finally moved!
After a quick re-route, cars were back on the road again, and enjoyed some great driving around tight corners, with muddy and sandy patches and trees on the road to dodge. There was also some very scenic driving as we travelled through paddocks of vineyards on our way towards the Grampians.
Lunch was as perfect as a scene from Crackerjack. We were looked after beautifully, with live entertainment and a wonderful assortment of fingerfood and sweets. Nothing was missed, there were even fresh flowers on the tables!
As the day drew out, and we still had some country to cover, we were led into Moyston by The Kennys, locals to the region. Once in Moyston we were treated to a game of football (AFL down here) with the locals and another hospitable night before getting ready to do it again tomorrow!
Kangaroo Island to Gemini Downs
As we left Kangaroo Island, everyone was feeling a little bit rested and ready to get back on the road again! The drive to Victor Harbor for lunch was straight along the bitumen, but was very scenic and good transition back to the mainland.
Once at Victor Harbor, the rally enjoyed VIP treatment as we arrived to a rock n roll and hot rod festival. The town was buzzing and we felt like we’d stepped straight back into the 50s, with plenty of cars envied by rally participants parked around the streets. There was also a dance competition and plenty of other activities which kept us occupied for a few hours.
After lunch, we saw some of the most challenging wacko sections yet, with one very sandy patch proving too difficult for almost every car, with four wheel drive recovery vehicles on constant stand by. There was so muich difficulty getting through this section, that the final wacko for the day was cancelled. Even with the driving route cut short, some cars still didn’t arrive into camp at Gemini Downs until almost 10pm (the other reason for this was that these cars ignored their rally navigation and listened to a sat nav instead!).
Once at Gemini Downs, everyone was able to unwind after being welcomed by a cocktail, tailor made by the VB Boys and their custom designed, 2 stroke cocktail mixer! We were also treated to campfire songs by Roo – a definite crowd pleaser!
Kangaroo Island – Kangaroo Island (2)
The lay day in Kangaroo Island was just what every rally participant needed! There was time for washing, some car repairs and maintenance and a few extracurricular activities as well!
The local sporting community on Kangaroo Island was tied up with football (AFL) and netball grand finals, which some rally participants attended, to the delight of local children! This major local event, meant that we almost had the rest of the island to ourselves!
As a day without organised rallying and activities, everyone was up to their own devices. Some went deep sea fishing, while others made the most of quad bikes to visit the island and some just enjoyed a seafood lunch overlooking the water!
The end of the day saw all rally participants re-group for a game of bowls and a dress up night with an ‘Animals and Mammals’ theme, with some extra special efforts made! Everyone has enjoyed three nights in the one destination to prepare for the remainder of the rally and all it has to offer!
Kangaroo Island – Kangaroo Island
A full day on Kangaroo Island gave us the perfect opportunity to explore, and our wacko sections delivered the most impressive scenery we’ve seen so far! There was plenty of wildlife around as well – rally participants stopped to let a big koala cross the road, and others also saw penguins and seals on our travels.
The driving during the day saw us travel on plenty of narrow, rocky roads, with a few cars needing to do a bit of back-tracking after missing some very sharp corners. The leisurely route gave everyone the opportunity to see the hidden treasures of the island, before returning back to Kingscote for dinner together overlooking the water, a perfect end to the day!
Everyone is feeling very settled, and looking forward to a lay day to catch up on washing, a few minor car repairs, and enjoying more of what Kangaroo Island has to offer.
Morgan to Kangaroo Island
The morning started with great excitement at Morgan Primary School, where four cars attended the school assembly. Terry Stewart and Teresa Carlson spoke at the assembly and all rally participants spoke with the children as they demonstrated the various lights and buttons in the cars. The children weren’t looking forward to going back to class after ‘surfing’ with the Beach Bums on top of their car.
At the same time, all the rally cars not at Morgan Primary School were battling their way through the bush in the most challenging “wacko” section yet. One car was pulled up after a tree hit them (this was the explanation from the driver!), another car boasts a few new scratches from a fence and every single car is accumulating mud!
Lunch was a real highlight, as all rally participants stopped in Birdwood to take in the National Motor Museum at the same time. The muddy rally cars made a colourful contrast to the shiny treasures and relics inside the museum!
The afternoon drive was all bitumen as we headed South to the ferry for Kangaroo Island, but was also some of the most scenic driving we’ve seen so far. The view coming down to the water was beautiful and excitement grew as the rally cars were loaded onto the ferry and then off again at Kangaroo Island 45 minutes later! We’re all looking forward to three nights in the same place, and seeing the sights of Kangaroo Island over the next couple of days.
Patchewollock to Morgan
Today saw us cross more sandy roads, with a bit of mud thrown in as well!! We travelled through Mallee country and the drove beside the Mighty Murray river as we crossed the boarder into South Australia. In the morning, we ziig-zagged our way across shire roads and scruffy stock routes to eventually come out at a very interesting geographical location called the Pink Lakes – appropriately named as a result of the old salt mines in the area. After we stopped to admire the inland water views, off again over some more remote tracks, with some last minute changes due to the water over the road!
Lunch at Loxton was a real treat. The 350 students at Loxton Primary school had each made a rose as a findraising exercise and had a wonderful time looking at all the cars parked around their school oval. Many of them would have been way too distracted to do any school work after lunch!
We then headed north-west into some more remote country, were we dodged mud puddles, gates and trees before reaching the ferry that crosses the Murray to take us into Morgan, where again, a great night was had by all.
Echuca to Patchewollock
Our first day was the perfect way to settle any nerves and introduce everybody to the driving involved in The Great Escape. There were flood warnings in Echuca before and during our time there, and we saw plenty of the flood water around the town. This also meant that some last minute changes to our route had to be made, as the cars wouldn’t have been able to make it through the flooded waterways !
While we avoided the mud, we couldn’t avoid the sand, and plenty of cars quickly learnt where their snatchem strap was, how to use it and how handy it is!
Lunch at Quambatook came with entertainment, as we were treated to a demonstration at the Quambatook Tractor Pull! A few of the rally cars also had a go, but there was only one who stood up to the test…
After lunch, more sandy roads before we finally arrived at our night stop, Patchewollock, greeted by locals at the pub were a band and mechanical bull had been arranged just for participants of The Great Escape. Needless to say, it was a great night!
Day 1 is always full of excitement. New faces, new places, reunions with old friends, and lots of noise!
Today, 49 cars were scrutineered by our volunteer officials, officially registered for the 2010 Great Escape and were inducted into the fun that is the rally. A host of new entrants joined older hands in the street parade, which was led by LJ Hooker Echuca through the town just as school had finished for the day. Children, parents, shoppers and excited (sometimes bewildered!) passers-by saw the rally cars and officials pass through town to the Echuca Port, where we were all able to see what the town was famous for.
After a few quick mechanical updates (certain not to be the last!) rally participants, sponsors, family and friends gathered at the Echuca Workers & Services Club for the official welcome dinner. We were wished well on our way by Peter Williams, Mayor of Echuca, and formally undertook “The Oath” under instruction from Jamie Lawson – formally known as ROAD BOSS (or RB to his mates).
Everyone is looking forward to getting off road – and probably muddy tomorrow.
