NTI has revealed Queenslander Peter Rodney is the winner of its 1954 Chevrolet charity raffle, drawn at the NTI Supercar round in Townsville. 

Tickets were in high demand, with over 30,000 names in the raffle, raising $580,000 for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research – a record for the truck raffle initiative.  

The 1954 hot-lava orange Chevrolet cab over engine (COE) hot rod pickup truck, named Daphne, was the sixth truck raffled for charity MND & Me Foundation in honour of former NTI CEO Wayne Patterson, who was diagnosed with the condition in 2015 and died three years later.  

NTI has now raised more than $2 million for the cause over the last six years. 

“Daphne has set a new record for the most funds raised of any of our restored vehicles, and we’re thrilled so many people have supported this important cause,” NTI CEO Tony Clark said. 

“We are committed to supporting research to help find treatments and, ultimately, a cure for MND. Having Daphne’s raffle take place at the NTI Supercars round was fitting, with the project made possible by generous donations from Matt Stone Racing and Chevrolet Performance Parts.” 

Mr Stone said having a big engine usually reserved for sports cars in “what’s traditionally a workhorse truck” made Daphne unique. 

“It got a lot of love from the punters on the track in Townsville, and it was really good to see all the hard work and commitment from everyone involved coming out in a successful end result,” Mr Stone said. 

“We always like when records are broken, especially when it’s for such a good cause. It’s fantastic that it’s been so well received.” 

GM Australia and New Zealand General Marketing Manager Chris Payne said the restored truck was a special prize which helps bring attention to MND research. 

“The whole team has done a fantastic job on this one-off truck, and the lucky winner will no doubt be very happy,” he said.