By DAN RYAN
Two daring drivers, Sarah Hazelton and Chantelle Aitcheson, are hitting the road for a cause that’s close to their hearts and, as they point out, statistically close to many families in the community.
Losing her daughter three years ago, Sarah has become a passionate campaigner for cancer research, teaming up with Chantelle to raise funds through this year’s Mystery Box Rally.
"So we're raising money for the Cancer Council. My daughter passed away three years ago, my co-driver, Chantelle's nan passed away from cancer, I've lost two grandfathers, and my father has been treated by it so everyone is affected by it somehow. We've just raised over $10,000," Sarah said.
To take part in the rally, each team must raise a minimum of $4000, a threshold Sarah and Chantelle achieved quickly thanks to strong community support.
"Cowra's been great, we've been very supported. Chantelle is in Blayney, she's been fundraising and well supported there too," Sarah said.
The Mystery Box Rally is no ordinary drive.
"So it's called the Mystery Box Rally, we start and finish at Broken Hill - over five full days, it's 2,500 kms we have to drive. The mystery is the route, each morning we get a map and a list of checkpoints," Sarah explained.
With over 177 cars in the rally, each carrying two people, the event is designed with camaraderie in mind.
"There's over 177 cars going with 2 people to a car, split into buddy groups of 7. You split them up so they look out for each other, and if one buddy breaks down we all break down. Two people to a car, share the driving – Chantelle did this last year with her husband."
Alongside the gruelling drive, the rally also includes plenty of lighter moments.
"There's dress-up days, and a memorial dress-up day – Chantelle has made a few shirts for us. My daughter loved unicorns, so we've got unicorn themed clothes for that moment," Sarah said.
For both women, the cause makes every kilometre worth it.
"We've had amazing fundraising this year, reaching over 10,000. I enjoy cars, to start with which is why I looked into it, and obviously with Mackenzie and I have lost family members. Everybody gets touched by cancer at some point, it's a good cause to be raising money for cancer research, so it'd be good to hopefully not have the same issues in the future for family, friends and other sufferers. It's all Australian researchers being funded, and it's a great way to see the countryside."
Their rally car (a Holden VP Commodore) has its own story.
"It's a Holden VP Commodore, my husband and I actually pulled it out from under a tree last year, it was full of grass, every window smashed, it was a complete mess. We got it going for last year's Mystery Box Rally. My husband and I are both mechanics, so we had a lot of sponsors for parts and bits and pieces for the car. No major modifications, just the rear suspension so it doesn't hit anything underneath; that's about it," Chantelle said.
On Friday afternoon, Team Not Fast Just Furious were farewelled from Enablement Services before making their way to Broken Hill for the official start of the Mystery Box Rally on Saturday.
At time of writing, Chantelle and Sarah had already exceeded their $10,000 fundraising goal, but donations remain open to support their efforts at:
👉 https://2025.mysteryboxrally.com.au/not-fast-just-furious