Martin and Iain here. We’re sitting at Brisbane Airport waiting to fly back to Melbourne. We’ve just given car 450 her final run for the bash, up the freeway from Byron Bay to the Y3K Energy Office here in Brisbane. After a solid clean yesterday the car is now looking very good, with little indication of the punishment it’s been given. Thanks to Andrew from Y3K here for running us to the airport.

The final dinner was held last night, and it was a blast. Performances by Mike Brady, Lisa Edwards, Russell Morris and Brian Cadd were mixed with speeches, awards and presentations. It turns out that The Bash has raised over $1.4 million for special needs children, something that we can all be proud of. Needless to say, it was a big night, and sunglasses are a necessity to hide bleary eyes this morning.

This entry ends the official entries for our Bash Blog. We all hope you’ve enjoyed reading it. Next year’s Bash has been announced, and will be heading to Yeppoon, near Rockhampton in Queensland. We’ll be giving old Car 450 some TLC in the months ahead, and most of us hope to be ready to give it another shot next year. This thing is adictive in a way that is difficult to describe. It comes down mostly to the people involved, both competitors, helpers and organisers.

Thanks for taking the trip with us!
Regards, the Car 450 Team.

Last night was the final dinner of the bash, held at the finish. We received an honorable mention, and an award for raising more than $10,000 for Variety. Full details on fund raising will be released tonight.

We’re off to find breakfast shortly, then Mick and Jon will be heading off for Brisbane.

If you’ve enjoyed reading what we’ve written, please drop us a line at car450@marbletrend.com.au to let us know.

The final driving day of the Bash, and what a time we’ve had! When “Miss Casino Beef Week” was unable to come with us, we decided to let Marty back in the car, on the condition that he definitely NOT dress up in women’s clothes, and that he navigate for us for the last day.

We just missed breakfast this-morning, having had a quite big night. Some medical people on the event sugested that aniseed is quite good for settling the stomache, and we MAY have overdosed on Sambucca. I really can’t remember it too clearly … Missing breakfast meant that we were unfortunate enough to miss Marty being called up for an award related to his kidnapping the previous day. I guess we may never know exactly what was in store. Thanks to the “Three Blind Mice” (Cherrie, Julie and Cher) for putting up with Iain and Marty over the previous days.

The car has been performing very well, and has endeared itself to all of us. Today, things seem a bit shaky, we had trouble idling, and were a little concerned. In the end, we made it through without drama, and have been very impressed with the way car 450 has handled the punishment. Our engine exploits seem to have earned us some notoriety - many fellow “Bashers” have been asking us how things are going. We must now admit a previous omission - after our engine problems, our entire team was awarded the coveted “Mug of the Day” award for allowing our car to run so long without oil circulating. The Mug of the Day goes to the person who has made the biggest stupid mistake on any given day - having the entire team win it is a great honor. Really, it is (we’re told …)

Todays driving was quite short, and tame, with little dirt excursion. We drove to Nimbin and experienced the alternative lifestyle (mostly through the pub window), then on to Uki. From there it was relatively plain sailing to the staging point near Byron Bay.

The driving end to the bash happened here, and it was a more emotional experience than we’d expected. Over the days we’ve met many new friends in a very close environment, and a heartfelt thanks goes out to all fellow Bashers! We like to think we’ve made an impression, and will renew acquaintances at future events. We have certainly learned a lot about ourselves, and about camaraderie. Not to mention car preparation.

We had a police escort through Byron Bay to the final lunch stop, and people turned out in force. It way a larger version of the type of welcome we’ve received in nearly all of the communities we’ve visited. The cars put on their finest performances of flashing lights and strange noises (several of our noises coming from the engine, and some from the passengers).

People lined a fair bit of the route, and were very enthusiastic.

There is a dinner tonight, and a final dinner tomorrow night. At these dinners, we hope to hear the final tally of funds raised for Variety. Unfortunately, the car 450 team breaks up tomorrow, with half the team heading off. Marty and Iain will represent the team at the final dinner.

We’ve all gotten on very well, coping with adversity, car problems, confusing directions, and ‘cabin fever’ due to sharing a small space for many hours a day. It has been a ball! I (Iain) would like to thank my teammates, they’ve been great company. There is a real spirit to this event that has worked its way into all of us - I’d be surprised if we’re not back to do it all again next year.

We’ll make another few posts to fill you in on how things wind up, and to give each team member a chance for some closing comments. I just hope someones reading this. As a final note, thanks again to all sponsors and supporters, to the bash organisers, and to the workshop crews who manage to keep us going. Also a thanks to Les in Tamworth (I’ll put the business name up when I can find his card) for donating the parts needed to get car 450 moving again. All he asked was that we make a donation to Variety. That’s another typical example of the spirit of the event.

Jen, Aidan, Nadia and William, see you soon!

Day 8 and what another interesting and eventful day!
After “Mobile Workshop Charlie” and Allan the Merc Mechanic had finished having their way with car 450,it was lunchtime so we certainly had some catching-up to do.Being the “alcohol free driver” for the day,I had to first run the new cam in and get ice for the trip ahead.Our first stop was Armidale where we felt it necessary for a quick counter meal and then off to Spring Ridge for the morning tea stop,eventhough it was now 2.00pm.We were determined to continue the complete Bash route to fulfill our sponsor obligations and we just about copped everything!from rough dirt roads,cattle grids,creek crossings,cattle,kangaroos and even the odd Quoll?

We got to the lunch stop in Red Range around 4.30,and the locals were relieved that we had arrived safely,as by this stage we had somewhat of a cult following traveling along the bush telegraph!
After getting the candles fired up on the 450se we had a fare amount of night driving to do,and we soldiered on even though weary,J.D at the wheel,Iain navigating by the light of his phone and Mick looking after the “bistro”!
The highlight of the day,was that we didn’t come in last,not only did we pass the car that had “kidnapped” Marty for the day but on the home straight we caught the valiant!(It,s not a race unless your hunting Emu!)
We believe the girls in the EH Holden station wagon that taken Marty from us,felt he needed to release his stress from the day befores activities.
We finally made it into Casino,where we were greeted by one of the typical locals in the town who pleaded with us to take her with us but unfortunatly we couldn’t squeeze her in. (lucky Marty)

Today was loaded with events some very entertaining and some more onerous. The day started out fine and sunny once again with the people of the Lightning Ridge Services club provided a hearty country breakfast. We then headed out across the black soil planes through Collarenabri, Pockataroo enrout to Wee Waa for Lunch. 50 km’s out of Wee Waa disaster struck our Car 450.

Noises were heard under the bonnet and a burning smell was detected. On pulling over heavy white smoke was pouring from under the bonnet. Once the bonnet was lifted flames poured from the engine and the bonnet lining was burning profusely. Our fire extinguisher was utilised and the flames were extinguished.

The mechanics were called and it seems that we hit a dip yesterday causing the sump to be damaged and the oil intake to be damaged. The result was that not enough oil was circulated into the top of the engine and after 8 hours running the overhead camshaft disintegrated.

We then had to be towed 300km’s to Tamworth and parts were found to repair 450 by the very good Mobile Workshop people. We believe we will be back on the road mid morning tomorrow and will keep all posted as things develop.

Hi to Jo, Samma, Scotty and Victoria

Day 6 started with a fairly quick trip for lunch at Brewarrina. This involved some slick overtaking work and negotiating a railway crossing to get the old Merc out in front of the “bulldust” (a fine red sand that has just gone through everything!). We are bringing plenty of it home with us so you can all see. It is is also very difficulty to see oncoming roadtrains through this dust!

Brewarinna is a rural community (mostly indigenous), on the Barwon River in Northern NSW and as the cars came in, the kids came in from everywhere to enjoy the event. We helped “christen” the new pub on its opening day and then had a superb lunch at the Bowls Club.

Then we were off again for a “Police Check” at the QLD border before a bit more socialising at the pub at Hebel.

We are constantly amazed at the vigour displayed in the socialising!

Back into NSW and we lucked out. The accommodation tonight is a 40 square house just out of Lightning Ridge. The other members of Car 450 are happy as “Chainsaw” will have his own room tonight.

Dinner (more food… the jeans are getting tight!) at the Lightning Ridge RSL was superb, as was the auction of paintings (well done Iain), complimented with the Lunar Eclipse and then back to the house before some more “socialising” with some other bashers.

Love to Michelle, Teegs, Mitch and Jazz.

Iain back to driving today, and very pressed to keep up with Mick’s quick times from the previous days. Unfortunately, the roads are very variable from day to day, and he fails somewhat … on a brighter note, we’re proud to say that, while we have passed many cars in binding dust clouds, we have not yet been called up on the radio to be passed.

It was a longer day of dirt driving today, nearly 600 km’s (compared to 380 the day before, but with no gates - hooray). There were a few places that could well have caught us out - dust visibility quite poor, and deep drifts of dust, sand, and rocks. Superb driving (says Iain) or blind luck (says Mick, Marty and Jon) saw us through well, and we had a great day.

A nice lunch was turned on by the families at the Wanaaring School. All the more impressive when we consider that there were only 17 students, and lunch was for about 400 visitors!

We arrived in Cobar around 4pm, after a final luxuries 50 odd km’s of bitumen driving. We’re all holding up well, and we’re rapt with the way the car is performing. Conditions are tougher than we had guessed, but the car is, as well.

Off to Lightning Ridge tomorrow. Marty’s driving, and he’s on a mission.

By-the-way - I can now reveal that Iain did NOT desert the team as noted, a few days before. He was kidnapped (a common fate for ‘virgin’ bashers). And got to spend the day with Cherrie and Julie in their EH wagon. The duty of the day was to help run their fun stop, serving wine tastings and cheese and nibblies with a cork raffle thrown in. The catch was that he got to wear a mini skirt, lace top and wig for the duration. Iain want’s to thank the team PROFUSELY for help and support on the day, and for the way they steadfastly looked the other way and DROVE-OFF in his hour of need …

Thanks to our families for letting us off the leash for the 10 days - we will keep ringing you when we can!!

We arrived in Tibooburra quite early in the afternoon and settled into the local pub to work out a plan to find accommodation. We were able to find a spot on the floor of a local hall. Network coverage isn’t good here, so we will update the daily details later. Marty DID manage to impress everyone in the hall (and the surrounding acres) with his snoring! More details soon.

Well, the network coverage was so bad that this message never even made it online. Sorry about that. We can now elaborate - Marty is officially Tiboooburra’s loudest snorer. A title he’s very proud of.

Iain did an awesome job navigating today, and opening and closing 40 gates. Jon did a great job driving, managing to only lose a small (and relatively minor) part of the front of the car in a sand dune. All in all - a FINE day.

A big hello to Joanne, James, Joshua and Jayden.

Day 3 started with all team members located safely back in Car 450. Iain assures us that he will never run away and leave us again.

The day began in an eventful way with smoke pouring out of the dash control box. Fortunately Jon’s lightning reflex’s jumped into action and the battery was disconnected. Iain quickly made some Auto Electrical repairs and Car 450 was back out at the first check point ready to go.

The people of Swan Hill were very hospitable and the staff at the Italian Club fed us all well for both dinner and breakfast.

The road North to Balranald was all sealed and very sedate however just North of Balranald we commenced a 280km dirt bash that saw Car 450 have it’s bash preparation tested severely. The Car came through with flying colors and Marty, Iain and Jon are to be commended on the prep work carried out.

We were once again provided with lunch and the people of Pooncarie treated us all to a descent serve of bush hospitality.

Variety club also presented the school Headmistress with books for the library and a cash donation of $500. Iain was asked to co present the cash and I must admit that the Students were very appreciative of the gifts.

We then had a run across to Bindara station on the banks of the Darling River where we embibed a shot of tequila to steel our nerves for the next 190km dirt section into Broken Hill.

565km later and Broken Hill never looked so good. More from the bashers in Car 450 tomorrow and Hi to Jo, Samantha, Scott and Victoria

Day 2 began with a hearty breakfast at the Logan Secondary College hall. Then we were off! 348kms to Swan Hill and 65% on dirt.

Iain was very happy to not be driving today as he was keen to enjoy the day, full of “relaxation” and helpful comments for Marty (driving) and Mick (navigating) from the back seat.

After being delayed by what was thought to be an alternator problem (but was a brake indicator light), the crew had a great laugh at Marty’s expense. This meant that we were late getting away and missed a key event for the “virgin” bashers, who were to sell beer that morning to the others.

When we had caught up, Iain, being social, said that he “has a better offer” and jumped into another car. We are still not sure where he is….. (not good to leave the team Iain. There is is no “I” in team!)

A beaut lunch in Ouyen (very nice barby put on by the Lions Club and an excellent Vanilla Slice) meant that the bulk of the driving was done. Visits to schools are a highlight and we are amazed by the support that the event gets by the schools and the local communities that we visit. The Bash is a real highlight for the rural community.

A stop at Chillingollah for a passport signing and we thought we caught sight of Iain. We were mistaken…..

It gave us the opportunity to empty a jerry can load of petrol into the Merc and that got us through to Swan Hill by 2.30pm.

88 litres of petrol later (and another 10 into the jerry can) meant that fumes are very handy…

The accommodation at the Best Western Swan Hill Resort is a little better than the accommodation at Dimboola and a nice shower and Scotch make it very pleasant indeed.

But where is Iain? (More on this later)

Love to Michelle, Teeg, Jazz and Mitch