Australia’s most unique motorsport event, the Rob Roy Revival, combining a competition hill climb and vintage festival, drove home a lifesaving message to Australian men: get checked for prostate cancer.
Organised by the MG Car Club Victoria, the Rob Roy Revival Festival, held at Christmas Hills on 29 and 30 March, encouraged revivalists to “drive back in time” and experience the glitz and glamour of the 1950s and 1960s.
This year, a portion of the proceeds from the Rob Roy Revival have been donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA), the country’s leading organisation for prostate cancer support, research and advocacy.
PCFA, the event’s official charity, had an information booth at the event on Sunday.
MG Car Club secretary Tony Lupton said the festival was a huge success.
“Around 850 spectators attended the 2025 Revival, over 320 of them in classic cars, to watch the 80 competitors compete in the 11 classes,” Mr Lupton said.
“The Rob Roy Revival also raised $3,000 for our partner charity the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
“Our event patron, champion driver John Bowe AM, is also a Prostate Cancer Foundation champion, and we were delighted to help the foundation raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer research.”
Darren Visser, driving his Bates Cycles Cyclo 500, was the outright winner of the Rob Roy Revival for the second year running with an aggregate time of 48.99 seconds.
Added attractions included jazz and rock music, displays of an Observed Section Trial by the Austin 7 Club and many people taking the opportunity to dress up in their best period clothing.
This year, Mr Lupton and other members of the MG Car Club Victoria want to drive home a lifesaving message to Australian men: get checked for prostate cancer.
“Prostate cancer impacts a lot of blokes in our community, and we know that early detection saves lives,” he said.
“Through this event, we hope to raise vital awareness about prostate cancer, risk factors and the importance of getting tested.”
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia.
The estimated risk of a man being diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime is one in five.
Event patron John Bowe AM, an Australian motorsport legend and Hall of Fame inductee, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2020.
This year, he’s going full throttle to make sure Australian men get checked for prostate cancer and said he owes his life to a simple PSA test.
“A PSA test is just a tiny prick of a needle, and you’re on your way. It’s dead simple. It’s very easy, so go and do it,” Mr Bowe shared.
“I’m proud to support Roy Rob Revival and, in turn, help raise awareness about prostate cancer.”
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia chief executive officer Anne Savage thanked all involved for their support.
“Awareness levels of prostate cancer in Victoria, and Australia more broadly, are still low, and many men fear getting tested for prostate cancer, unaware that the primary screening test is just a simple blood test,” Ms Savage said.
“We know that community awareness is key to combatting prostate cancer, which makes this partnership a powerful strategy in our fight against the disease.
“Together, we will continue to strive for zero deaths in our lifetime.”
To get involved in Rob Roy Revival, visit: robroyrevival.mgcc.com.au
