This year's Mount Isa Dashin and Whippets team captain Ryan Mackenzie said he was hoping to up the ante for the 2013 event.

"XXXX Variety Bash organiser announced next year's event will be Sun, Saddles and Turf with a two-day stop off in Mount Isa for the rodeo," he said.

"It will be great to see the cars at rodeo and we're hoping to get heaps of sponsorship organised and get the local community involved."

Mr McKenzie said his group raised almost $30,000 for Variety, a Children's Charity associated with the Variety Bash event.

He said his team had "an absolutely fantastic time" driving from Dalby to Mackay in their 1926 and 1927 vintage Whippets.

"We fared pretty well with no major mechanical problems, just tyre changes along the way," he said.

"The terrain was pretty rough, 80 per cent was dirt roads and there was lots of river crossings and going through the back of stations and paddocks."

He said 450 people participated in the 10- day drive.

"Dashin and Whippets actually won the best team award for this year," he said.

"We got a trophy for that."

Despite "freezing cold nights", icy mornings and a lack of hot showers, the team was keen to participate next year.

"One night we camped was minus five degrees so when we woke up everything was covered in ice and it took a while to get the cars going," he said.

"We dropped into schools each day and that was the best part, seeing the kids' faces light up as you come through.

"The experience was fun but doing it for the kids, well, you can't get a better combination."