WITH two amazing car rally fundraising experiences already under his belt, Tathra's Bob Barker, or Hools as he is better known, says next month's fundraiser will be his last.
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"I'm getting too old for this now, you come back totally worn out," Hools said ahead of his epic 10-day rally through mainly central Australia for Kidney Health Australia.
The rally begins on August 11 - but just getting to the start line will be an adventure in itself for Hools and co-driver Mick Hayden (Gonzo) of Cooma - as a 3000km effort is needed to reach the Alice Springs starting point.
The duo plan to leave about four days ahead of the start of the rally and will be cruising along the highways in Barker's Ford XR8, before putting it to the test along the 4000km rally course, which will cover outback properties desert and forest roads in areas of Ross River, Oodnadatta, Coober Pedy, the Flinders Ranges, Broken Hill and Mildura before finally finishing at Moama in Victoria.
A highlight, and some of the toughest terrain, will be when participants move south of Alice Springs, travelling along the edge of the Simpson Desert.
Hools and Gonzo are two of over 68 participants expected to take part in the Kidney Kar Rally.
A minimum of $4500 must be raised per vehicle to enter the rally, which covers all meals for driver and navigator, plus a public liability contribution.
Hools said he was particularly looking forward to the overnight stopovers on outback properties during the course of the rally and the rest day at Coober Pedy.
He thanked his sponsors, particularly the local businesses for their support, including Little Bottler - Liquor Outlets, Concrete One Sydney, Bega Fasteners and Industrial Supplies, Raw Surfboards Tathra, Bega Car and Dog Wash, Barker's Tathra - Excavating and Landscaping Supplies and Kalaru Automotive for helping with the car preparation.
"We are very grateful of the local support," Hools said.
Hools and Gonzo have previously participated in a Variety Club Bash Rally in 2005 and more recently, Cystic Fibrosis rally in 2012.
He and Gonzo are looking forward to another memorable, fun adventure on the road, where there will be plenty of action and many new stories to recount when they return home.
