Hey all,
I have been thinking about giving a variety bash a go. Im considering what make of car I would run as a Bash Car. A Mini keeps crossing my mind...... It is possible..... Has it be done before........ Will the lack of ground clearance kill it...............Will the long dirt tracks be to much......Oh man i'm gettin exited................Will it get enough sponsorship.......

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Mini, its in my blood........

variety bash??? and i dont think it shouldnt do it any harm they use to rally with long stretches of dirt road with massive jumps and so on and so forth... never heard of this variety bash though something about destruction durby comes to mind

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oil leak?..what oil leak..that puddle under the car is just sweat from all that horsepower

I think it's possible but it's expensive. The car setup would be a pretty high cost then you need to raise the entry fee $$$$
Yes I do think it's possible but it will also be a challenge just to get to the starting line.

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Respect mine and I'll respect yours.

Yep - entirely possible
Just needs the right preparation and dollar development.

If you can afford to run a holden or a falcon then you can run a mini.

I would even consider running as a member of the service crew for you provided its revenue neutral for me and you aproach the bash with the right attitude and budget.

Mike

lol so basicly its 50/50 right mike? what is this variety bash someone explain it to me please

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oil leak?..what oil leak..that puddle under the car is just sweat from all that horsepower

Entry fees are around $8000, usually gained through sponsorship. sponsorship and Donations can cannot be used to prepare car, and compete. They must be forwarded to the variety funds. Then their is car preperation as per rules and regs for the variety bash. Cars gotta be original (excluding safety improvements) and obviously blinged up to the max to make kids smile........mmmm...... Gotta have long range fuel tanks, front and rear tow bars, enough spares, first aid kits, safety kits..... list go's on......

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Mini, its in my blood........

so a pain in the behind if your not commited

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oil leak?..what oil leak..that puddle under the car is just sweat from all that horsepower

No Joe

Revenue neutral means that it neither profits or looses. In other words it costs me nothing except labour and time.

All expenses paid and I dont function on a diet of sausage sandwiches alone - dont need lobster necessarily but it must be the typical food pyramid.

Mike

Go the Moke...a big wheel moke

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"Show me the Mini!"

The Bash is not a race or a rally and speed is not important. What really matters is that everyone has an enjoyable time travelling in parts of Australia they would not otherwise see, at the same time raising money for special needs children.
The Bash was originated by businessman, explorer and philanthropist Dick Smith in June 1985 when he organised a group of people to travel from Sydney to Bourke in Far West New South Wales, and from there to Burketown in Northern Queensland.
Dick wanted to take a few mates for a drive in the outback in old cars and at the same time raise money for charity. He charged everyone to enter, and entrants were able to bribe the officials or be fined.
That first event raised $250,000 for Variety and was known as the Bourke to Burketown Bash.
The annual Variety Bash is Australia's most successful charity motoring event. It is the focal point of fund raising efforts by many hundreds of supporters of Variety, with the money raised helping ill, special needs and disadvantaged children.


What is a Bash Car?
You will need a reliable, well-built vehicle, which will survive the trip and be noticed so that your sponsors receive some benefit.

The transmission, engine and engine ancillaries must be as originally specified for the vehicle. Fuel is always available, but it is advised to carry a jerry can as sometimes it is a long way between stops.

Modifications to the body shape are permitted where such modifications are designed to enhance the appearance of the vehicle for sponsorship purposes or for fun! Modifications to the brakes, suspension & fuel tanks are allowed for safety but no improvements for extra speed or performance modifications.

Attention-grabbing and unusual decorations make for a great Bash car… the stranger the better

You will need a reliable, well-built vehicle, which will survive the trip and be noticed so
that your sponsors receive some benefit.

First registered before June 1970.

Current registration plus third party property insurance.

Attention-grabbing and unusual decoration…. The stranger the better!

Modifications are allowed for safety but no improvements for extra speed.

Modifications to the body shape are permitted where such modifications are
designed to enhance the appearance of the vehicle for sponsorship purposes or
for fun!

The engine, transmission and engine ancillaries must be as originally specified
for the vehicle. Modifications to brakes, suspension and fuel tanks are permitted.

Vehicle preparation costs are not to come from your fundraising money. These
are your own expenses.

Two-wheel drive vehicles only. No charabancs, omnibuses, motorbikes or
motorised wheelbarrows!
Be Prepared
As many Bash vehicles are rescued from farm sheds, out of a paddock or underneath
layers of dust and sundry spare parts in workshop corners, it is advisable to pay
attention to some important areas when preparing for a Bash.
1. Lubrication and Cooling – both systems should be drained, flushed and
generally cleaned out. For engines that have been stationary for some time, this
is a MUST. Don't forget the transmission, too!
2. Engine and transmission mountings – check for tears, perished, worn or oil
damaged. (Body mountings if applicable).
Vehicle Requirements
-2-
3. Drive shafts - check the universals, yokes, centre bearings and their mountings
if applicable.
4. Protect exposed clutch and brake mechanisms
5. Suspensions – check the cross members for cracks and worn/perished
mounting rubber joints, links, pins and bushes etc., shock absorbers, springs,
shackles, leaves and centre bolts.
6. Brakes – check the linings, hoses, metal brake lines and their securing, wheel
and master cylinders.
7. Wheel/Tyres – check for wheel cracks and seek out a good “off road” type of
tyre. Go to a tyre retailer and seek his advice, explaining you will be doing a lot of
dirt driving on mixed, country road conditions.
8. Wheel/axle bearings – check seals, clean, inspect repack/grease.
9. Engine – tune and waterproof the ignition.
10. Wiper blades – replace.
Essential Equipment
The items listed below should be carried in your vehicle as a minimum requirement.
These items will be checked at scrutineering.

Fire Extinguisher

First Aid Kit

Two spare wheels/tyres, mounted and inflated (one can be carried on the Bash
baggage truck)

Towing Rope, preferably a "snatchem strap". Wire cables are NOT acceptable

40 Channel UHF CB radio in working order

Roof mounted Flashing amber light with rear roof mounted, downward facing
reversing amber light

Tow ball or hook (front and rear – see further information below under Tow Balls)

20 Litres of fuel in approved containers plus funnel or syphon hose

10 Litres of water, suitable for drinking
Vehicle Requirements
-3-

5 Litres of engine oil

5 Litres of auto-transmission oil (if applicable)

Jumper leads (automatic vehicles included)

500mls of brake fluid

One can of WD40 or equivalent

Jack and jacking plate for soft ground plus wheel brace

Fan belt

Spark plugs, plug spanner and points

Radiator hoses

Fuel hoses

Fuses

Heavy duty torch

One roll of racing tape, small roll of tie wire

Basic tool kit: screwdriver, multigrips, spanners etc.

Water pump, fuel pump, fuel filters (desirable but not essential)

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Mini, its in my blood........

A good mate of mine has done this bash and said it was the best fun he has had for a long time. If you do go a head and build up a mini I woud be happy to donate any parts i have that may help.

so thats what these funny looking buses and cars this guy has in austral are used for then.hmmm sounds like fun

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oil leak?..what oil leak..that puddle under the car is just sweat from all that horsepower

It's all for a good cause. Perhaps we could all work together somehow and make an Ausmini bash car. We could all donate some, or have fundraisers. It'd be pretty cool!

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1988 Holden Commodore VL Executive
1988 Holden Commodore VL Executive (Parts Car)
1963 Ford Anglia Deluxe

ake a couple of good shovels with you & maybe a truck full of beer as back up

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

Depending which rally you do, some allow support crews and others no support crews. Endevour rally has lower entry donations fee, allow support teams, cars can be more modern. Variety rally has different fees, dont allow support crews but do provide a mechanic team who provide all support and services. Cars are cool, as older! Im gonna have a chat to someone tommorrow who has done about 15 of them. Beer in large quantities is a must, so is the swag......... What else do you need for a bash...... a theme to work on.....

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Mini, its in my blood........