Members of a BYD Shark 6 owners group have started a GoFundMe campaign to help a driver who all but destroyed his plug-in hybrid dual-cab ute while attempting a challenging hill climb at The Springs 4×4 Park in Queensland.
The humorously named Beer O’clock Hill includes a gradual climb to a rocky crescendo that challenges even the most highly modified four-wheel drives as they attempt to climb it without toppling over.
The owner of this particular BYD Shark 6 is Chris Baker, who runs the All Terrain Action website and drove his Shark 6 too fast up the hill (you can watch the attempt here), heavily impacting the front-end of the vehicle on part of the rock face.
The impact bent the chassis and completely disabled the vehicle, making it driveable only in electric mode.
The GoFundMe campaign, started by a member of the BYD Shark Owners Australia Facebook group reads:
“Just a quick update regarding the GoFundMe for Chris Baker from All Terrain Action.
“I’ve spoken with Chris, and he’s incredibly humbled by the generosity shown. He had no idea the fundraiser was underway and has asked me to pass on his sincere thanks to everyone who donated. He’s also hoping to personally thank each of you in time.
“While Chris certainly enjoys a cold beer he has made it clear that 100% of the funds will be used to give back to the Shark off-road community. Specifically, he plans to use the donations to support expenses relating to the R&D time and efforts to address the Shark’s lack of rear drive in off-road setting with the goal of potentially developing an override. This might even help encourage BYD to develop their own solution more quickly that is on the formal channel of things for other shark owners.
“Although Chris is confident the Shark can be repaired while we wait his focus right now is continuing this research and development journey on the rear drive, which will also result in more free content for everyone to enjoy, the next off-road video we should see would be the Shark testing recent developments in rear wheel override as recently seen in a video on the group.
“Thank you again for your kind words, your support, and above all, your trust.”
The GoFundMe campaign has raised $845 so far.
Not all the feedback has been well received, however, with some members of the group suggesting it’s a bit rich to be asked to help a business conduct research and development and then have to also pay for the end result.
One user wrote: “Is this a joke? Pay a business for R&D and then pay them again for the product?”
Another user pointed out: “You do realise that Chris isn’t doing this as a charity right? He made a lot of money from destroying that car.”
Another member pointed out that “This group is basically a Temu tesla owners group at this point.”
While our own testing has shown the BYD Shark 6’s traction control system still needs work, it’s quite clear that this was a case of driver error rather than product failure.
Beer O’Clock Hill is no easy feat, and many standard vehicles have broken differentials and suspension components while attempting to climb it, but this would be the first time a GoFundMe campaign has been started to help a driver who came to grief on it.
