By Luke Voogt
Leopold’s Craig ‘Watto’ Watson is bringing the thunder on his drive down under as he takes on his eighth Camp Quality esCarpade.
Watto is driving his Thuderbird-themed Mini to Port Macquarie on Friday before he takes off from there on Sunday.
“Camp Quality has a soft spot in my heart,” the 55-year-old says.
“There couldn’t be anything worse than being told your child’s got cancer.
“For an organisation like Camp Quality to give kids a bit of respite – it’s a great cause.”
The esCarpade is more than just a charity drive – the teams will meet with Camp Quality families and stop for fun and games.
“It’s about putting smiles on kids’ faces,” Watto says.
Watto returned to the esCarpade after a 20-year break in 2016 and met fellow veteran Graeme McMahon, who has driven nine times in the event.
The owner of Barwon Tyre and Auto Centre and his ‘Fun Patrol’ will drive from Port Macquarie to Toowoomba in their police-themed car.
“We saw it advertised nine years ago and thought we give go,” the 57-year-old says.
“We saw the fantastic work that Camp Quality does.”
Graeme is also driving to Port Macquarie on Friday after leaving on Thursday, a day after Watto, to give him a “head start”.
“He’s got a mini so he’s a lot slower,” Graeme says.
Graeme and Watto and their co-drivers have raised more than $13,000 for Camp Quality.
Search for ‘Car 88’and ‘BMC’ at www.campquality.org.au/events/escarpade to donate.
