The Outback Air Race will start in Esperance in Western Australia and cover 208,000 kilometres, although it’s only a portion of how far the Flying Doctors travel each year.

Illabo’s Fiona and Andrew Hamilton will be taking their hand-built airplane as ‘Team Yahoo’, while they were the only Riverina entrants last year, they’ll be joined by ‘Race Villains No 7’ team made up of Wagga’s Jane Crichton and Cootamundra’s Phil Hines.

Travelling to the start line alone will take two days with both teams using a home-built RV-7 type aircraft, Mr Hamilton took four years to assemble it in his workshop.

“We’re not expecting any trouble, I serviced it on the weekend,” Mr Hamilton said.

A fresh set of tyres, fresh oil, new filters and some general maintenance in the workshop is all Mr Hamilton has been up to before setting off this week.

Ms Crichton said navigating for Mr Hines in his hand-built plane was the adventure of a lifetime.

“I’m very nervous but it’s for an important service,” she said.

Ms Crichton said said the response to the fundraising so far had been incredible.

It’s the second time the Hamilton’s have taken part in the race after raising $21,000 in 2012 – they’re aiming to raise $25,000 this year.

“Andrew and I have been looking forward to this event for three years having had such an amazing time during the last Outback Air Race in 2012,” Mrs Hamilton said.

“What better way to see the country than with a bunch of truly interesting and amazing people while raising money for such a worthy cause.

“It will take us two days just to get to the start of the race, but that is when the fun begins as we are stopping at the iconic William Creek Hotel which happens to be hosting the local Bronco Branding Championships that day which I’m sure will be a hoot,” Mrs Hamilton said.

The Outback Air Race starts on August 23 and finishes on September 4  to donate to Illabo’s Team Yahooo visit https://oar2015.everydayhero.com/au/team-yahooo.