Why the Finnish ambassador is driving a Camry from Perth to Darwin
Driving a cheap car across the vast Australian outback is becoming a rite of passage for ambassadors living in Perth, with Finland's Ambassador to Australia Arto Haapea the latest diplomat to take part in the Shitbox Rally.
More than a year after former USA Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy drove her beaten-up BA Falcon 'Moonshot' from South Australia to Perth, Haapea will later this week drive a blue 2004 Toyota Camry dubbed the 'Happiest Car in the World' through the WA outback from Perth to Darwin.
The car is covered in decals evocative of Finland, such as homages to Santa (much of the country is encompassed by the Arctic Circle), the white hippo-like Moomins characters and a big smile on the front bumper.
The Shitbox Rally encourages entrants to raise money for the Cancer Council by purchasing a car worth less than $1500 and driving it huge distances from one corner of the country to the next.
Haapea, who was appointed to the role in March last year, said he was hooked on the thought of driving through the outback with a sense of purpose after seeing Kennedy's trip.
'As I have gone through cancer in my early 20s, this challenge seemed like the most natural way to bring together our fun-loving countries,' he said.
'I have always been a big fan of road trips, so the Shitbox Rally really ticks all the boxes for me.
'I have to confess I know very little about cars, so I'm putting all my hope into skilled and experienced fellow shitboxers. If there's one thing that I am slightly worried about, it has to do with the deadly fauna and sleeping in a swag.
'The car is all about bringing the famous Finnish happiness to the outback.'
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