Tracey McDaid and Peata Smith at the Top 10 Fundraisers reveal event.
Nothing can keep the Deni Angels of Chaos team down for long.
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Team members Peata Smith and Tracey McDaid have had a few hairy experiences on their 2026 Winter Shitbox Rally tour, but with the help of their rally friends they’re still on the road and enjoying every minute.
The ladies are on the final stretch now, with the rally due to conclude in Townsville on Saturday.
It all kicked off from Mildura Friday last week, and it’s been a rollercoaster ride.
Among the first of the good news bulletins the team shared with their social media followers was that local and wider support has landed them in the top 10 list of highest fundraisers.
“Out of 250 teams, the Deni Angels of Chaos have been named the seventh highest fundraising team,” they shared in their social media blog from the road.
“Together, we've raised an incredible $32,360 for charity, and this achievement would not have been possible without the generosity, encouragement, and support of each and every one of you.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who donated, shared our journey, attended our events, and cheered us on along the way.
“We are truly grateful for your support and proud to have such an incredible community behind us.”
The team experienced some mechanical trouble with their rally car Sheila at the end of day one, but thanks to some help from other rally participants and the rally’s mechanical team were able to get back behind the wheel again for day two.
Tracey McDaid and Peata Smith on the rockstar dress-up day.
But it did not take long for the ladies to question their ability to reach the finish line again.
On the day three leg between Charleville to Longreach, they finally got to rally on dirt roads. But a troublesome smell soon split their attention.
“Not just any smell. A smell so bad that both Tracey and I immediately agreed it definitely us, but rotten eggs was terrible,” Mrs Smith said in the blog.
On first inspection, it was decided whatever it was “not catastrophic” so “we pushed on”. But then smell worsened as the trip continued.
“Then it hit me. Could the issue be the battery in the boot?
“Dave's eyes widened, and he moved quicker than Lighning McQueen - ‘get it out. That's the issue ... and it might explode’.
“Thanks once again to Mechanic Dave, the Angels were saved and Shelia avoided becoming an unscheduled fireworks display.”
Donations are still being accepted. Go to https://winter2026.shitboxrally.com.au/deni-angels-of-chaos.
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