The 2022 year saw us do basically nothing other than direct the iconic Lazer Rally of the Bay.

January 2023 in the unassuming outskirts of Campbelltown, nestled among the rows of industrial units, the BeneFi Commodore found its sanctuary. The year 2023 began with a quiet hum within the factory unit, but within its walls, the fate of the ute was about to be reshaped.

The journey embarked with a pilgrimage to Hornsby Differential & Gearbox Specialists, a renowned bastion of mechanical expertise. The gearbox, the driving pulse of the BeneFi ute, underwent a meticulous reconstruction, promising a robust drivetrain for the challenges ahead. However, the decision to replace the elusive rear main seal unfurled a series of unforeseen challenges.

Within the confines of the factory unit, the gearbox lay exposed—a canvas for the ambitious plan to use a pre-assembled rear main seal, plate, and gasket kit. Yet, the poorly manufactured part rebelled against its intended purpose, rendering the plate unsealable. A reluctant retreat was declared, and the gearbox was extracted once more. The dream of a seamless refit shattered, but determination persevered.

From the debris of setback emerged a second fitting—a redemption story for the original plate, now coupled with a new gasket and seal. The BeneFi ute, with its gears realigned, stood resilient within the factory unit, ready for the dusty escapades that awaited. The scars of the challenging repair marked the beginning of a transformation, a testament to the endurance of both Nigel and machine.

As the seasons drifted by, the factory unit in Campbelltown became a sanctuary for the Commodore. Its tyres seldom kissed the asphalt beyond the familiar streets. However, a brief hiatus from monotony unfolded when the ute, now wearing its battle scars with pride, ventured into the forests of Eurobodella and Shoallhaven. Road closed signs were strategically deployed, marking the arrival of the 2023 Lazer Rally of the Bay—a momentary escape from the ordinary.

With the turning of the calendar to a new year, the factory unit in Campbelltown holds promise of a metamorphosis. Six Hossier, new and near nerw rally tyres stand ready to be used in anger. Brand-new helmets, silent witnesses to the commitment of safety and adventure, will soon adorned the space. The directorship of the Rally of the Bay has been relinquished for 2024, paving the way for Nigel’s more personal journey—a return to the rally battlegrounds of the iconic 2024 Rally of the Bay.

In the dimly lit expanse of the factory unit, the BeneFi Commodore Ute, surrounded by the tools of its revival, awaits its moment. With a renewed spirit and a resolve to conquer the challenging terrains, Nigel, Mick and the ute are prepared for all kinds of adventure. The industrial silence will soon be broken by the roar of its V8 engine, as a new chapter unfolded in the dusty trails of 2024, promising excitement and triumph for Nigel and his trusted companion Mick.