77-year-old Terry Adair all set for Variety Vic Bash

The 1992 Subaru Liberty he will be driving this time around has a few more creature comforts than the 1963 PB Vauxhall Velox he drove during the inaugural event in 1985. But the lifelong motoring enthusiast and resident of Lifestyle Communities Brookfield is hoping this year's 11 day Variety Vic Bash, from Melbourne to Cairns, will bring back some fond memories.

In addition to taking part in the inaugural event, Terry also participated in 1986 and 1987. He has not taken part since, due to his commitment to his company, Melbourne Minibuses. Business has dried up due to the pandemic, so Terry is making the most of a tough situation by signing up for this year's event.

Terry is a seasoned rally driver - he competed in the Australian Repco Reliability Trial in 1979.

He said he had loved motor sports since he was around 10-years-old. At the time, the Repco Reliability Trial's route went right past his family's farm on the Darling Downs. He recalled standing out the front, watching excitedly as drivers such as Gelignite Jack Murray whizzed by.

"Some people can't put the golf stick down, some can't put their fishing rod down, some love cricket," he said.

"I just happen to have a thing for motoring, particularly off road events."

Terry said during the first Variety Bash, which ran from Bourke to Burketown, he was joined on the journey by Gelignite Jack's former navigator Bill Murray.

"Bill said to me, 'I had to give it away, Jack rolled the car too many times. He was a bit dangerous'. I said 'don't worry, Bill. I've never rolled a car in my life'."

Famous last words! Just outside of Birdsville, he was one of three or four drivers to roll their cars.

Another memorable moment came when the car lost a nut which was essential to its suspension in the South Australian outback town of Innamincka.

"Having been raised in the bush, I knew there would be a rubbish dump with cars and parts that had been dumped.

"We found an old Holden that was able to provide us with the missing nut."

The Variety Vic Bash is a fundraising event for children's charity Variety and will kick off on August 16.

120 cars will take part in this year's event, with the route to take drivers through small towns in four different states.

Terry and his friend Russell Neil will be in Car 45, which they have named 'Adventure before Dementia'. The team is aiming to raise $7,000 by August 11. They are also looking to secure a sponsor.

For more information or to donate, email tpadair@bigpond.net.au or click HERE