Locals Michael McCourt and Scott Clarke have just returned from this year’s Outback Car Trek, which was a great success for team Cobber.

The trek ran from Parkes in NSW westwards to Cameron Corner (border of SA, NSW and Queensland) and then eastwards to Hervey Bay on the Queensland coast.

Car numbers were reduced from pre-COVID times.

However, approximately 70 cars participated in the trek, with about 15 support vehicles.

Team Cobber entered five cars and one support vehicle.

As a result of the wonderful support they received, Team Cobber raised more than $130,000 and the trek overall raised a little over $1m.

In addition to money raised for the RFDS, participants bring money into every town they visit during the trek – supporting local schools, sporting clubs and more.

It is estimated the trek brings between $50,000 and $70,000 in gross turn-over to each overnight location across the trip.

On behalf of Team Cobber, Michael and Scott would like to thank the following local businesses for supporting the Royal Flying Doctor via sponsorship of Car 153, including Boots Hay Hatherleigh, Creek Livestock, Elders, Fennell Logging, Michael Vawser, Millicent Crash Repairs, Millicent Industrial, Nutrien, Pat Harrold, Rabo Bank, RJC Evans, Teagles, William Buck, Woakwine Station and Woomera Homestead.

Charlie Patterson from the RFDS was grateful for the support from the team’s sponsors.

“The Flying Doctor airlifts 20 South Australians every day – someone twice a day from the South East – to Adelaide for life-saving or specialist medical treatment,” he said.

“But the RFDS cannot do this alone.

“It relies on the community – people like you, our car 153 sponsors – to bridge the gap in its operational funding and to purchase its flying intensive care units … at a cost of more than $7m each.

“Thanks for your help.”

This year the duo built a new trek car – a 1981 VC Commodore Sedan.

To meet the demands of the outback trek driving conditions, many modifications were needed, including replacing engine and gearbox, roll cage, sump guard, bull bar, racing harness seatbelts, extra fuel tank, two-way radio (UHF), flashing light and dust lights, upgrading suspension

The team would like to thank local businesses Daikin Exhaust, Millicent Crash Repairs, Pasqua Marino and Trusted Automotive for helping set the car up.

Visit www.outbackcartrek.com.au for more information on the Outback Car Trek.