Some 12,000 plus people from Western Victoria had the oportunity to view the solar car at the annual "Show Us Your Toys" event. Held in Hamilton each year, the event hosted the 1999 WSC winning car in that year and was delighted to have the new car this year as principle attraction.
While in Hamilton the opportunity was taken up by several district schools to have the car displayed at their premises. On Thursday 27 November the car was displayed at Bambridge College (where the local newspaper was in attendance), Gray street primary school (regional winner of the model solarcar races) and The Hamilton and Alexandra college, where the two youngest Aurora members, Doug Williams and Damien McArthur are students. Then on Wednesday 4 December the car went on display at Monivae College before returning to Melbourne.
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The RACV, a long term sponsor of the Aurora team are naming sponsor and technical organiser for the gruelling 24 hour race in Maryborough Victoria for pedal powered streamliners. The event is the RACV ENERGY BREAKTHROUGH.
About 130 high schools, some from as far away as Queensland pit their skills and energies against one another in a number of events and categories. Each are organised into teams with pit stops, team uniforms, sponsors and electronic timing, aiming to be first across the line after 24 hours of frantic pedalling.
This year the event saw an increase in hybrid entries, streamliners which supplement the pedal power input with either electric or petrol motors. There were 28 of these hybrids competing using their own track, whilst the human powered teams were on the traditional track.
The Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car was invited to drive several demonstration laps before the racing got started representing perhaps the greatest energy breakthrough in transportation today. No fuel and no emissions, just sunlight. Actually it would be interesting to see how Aurora would have got through the night on its limited battery power!
We were able to catch up with Ernst Litera, Michael Case and John MacKenzie from RACV, Minister Candy Broad from the Victorian Government [who had launched the Aurora 'Beyond Dreaming' program back on 5 June 2001] and Amanda Webb who had organised the hybrid seminar at which Clive Humphris and David Fewchuk had participated.
The Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car attracted lots of attention as people walked
through the exhibit area adjoining the race tracks. The day was hot and sunny
so most questions were about how the driver could withstand the temperatures
inside the car. During the afternoon the solar top came off the car and people
could see inside the Aurora. Some even had a chance to sit inside and get the
feel of what it is like to control the car with push pull rods.
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| A spectator gets a chance to control the solar car |
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| Tony Vriens being interviewed by the course commentator after completing a demonstration lap. | Dennis explains the workings of the solar car to a crowd of onlookers. |
After a 2 year break the historic Geelong Speed Trials event was staged once again at the spectacular site on the Geelong waterfront along Ritchie Boulevard.
This event was first staged back in 1956 making it one of the longest standing motoring events in Australia. For 2002 the featured vehicle categories were to be cars and motor cycles from the 1930s and 1940s. Amongst this wonderful range of beautifully presented historic cars was one car of the future, the Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car.
Gary Grant the event director along with key committee members David Head, Graham Deahl, steward Don Dunoon and Assistant Clerk of Course Craig Wooley made the appearance of the solar car a memorable one. The car was on display at the Ford Discovery Centre for the entire preceding week and featured at the grand cocktail party for the event held on Saturday night.
Armed with a specially issued road permit the solar car was driven to its position at the Speed Trials display area on Sunday morning. Mid afternoon Tony Vriens, Aurora's long term lead driver, took it for a run. It was hot and Tony endured the 50 minute wait sitting in the car as the internal temperature climbed to 59 degrees centigrade.
After the stirring sprints of the veteran entrants the Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car provided a strange counter-point. Just silence. No wheel-spin, no exhaust and no fuel. A terminal speed of about 90 km/h.
We had many favourable comments on the day and we were pleased to rub shoulders with so many interesting entrants and motor personalities. A major event sponsor and long term supporter of Aurora Ford Motor Company ensured that many Ford personnel were in attendance including Ron Richards who played an important role in making some of the components used in Aurora's super efficient wheel- motor.
Estimates of the crowd in attendance were in the range of 20000 people. The grand weather and the return of the event to Geelong appeared to be well received.
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| The Aurora-RMIT 101 soalr car on display attended by Andrew Lamb and Tony Vriens | Aurora Co Chairman with David Hunter representing insurer Shannons. |
The Automotive Training Authority of Australia, actively supported by the four auto manufacturers in Australia participated in the extraordinary WorldSkills Expo in Newcastle, New South Wales.
Over 100 exhibitors participated at WorldSkills an Expo designed to promote vocational training and job skills. About 30000 people attended the Expo and many showed an interest in how to enter automotive careers. Sue Bell from the ATA was on hand to answer questions. Dennis Burns a long standing member of the Aurora Vehicle Association revelled in explaining the Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car to the many students fascinated by a future which reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Mark Burns, son of Dennis, also assisted as he is a resident of Newcastle. Mark led the electrical design work in Aurora's 1996 World Solar Challenge campaign.
John Braddy, CEO of the Automotive Training Authority, said that the solar car was a perfect attraction for the students visiting WorldSkills and suggested that the successes of Auroa should be featured in the vocational magazine published by the Australian National Training Authority.
The Aurora Vehicle Association is strongly supported by the Australian Automotive Industry. Ford Australia has been a supporter since the inaugural 1987 World Solar Challenge when Aurora finished second to the US GM entry. Mazda is also a supporter as are some 18 components suppliers led by Bosch, Air International and Sumitomo Wiring Systems. About 20 of Aurora's members are directly involved in the automotive industry.
The Australian automotive industry is in a boom period. The year 2002 will be an all-time record for sales with industry predictions at 830000 units. Automotive exports from Australia are climbing with nearly $5 billion achieved in 2001 and predictions of some $10 billion being achieved by 2010.
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| Aurora team member Dennis Burns with the world beating Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car. | The Worldskills Exhibition in Newcastle shone on trade skills and training. |
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| Aurormotive Training Australia drew attention to automotive training using the Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car. |
Aurora's university partner RMIT staged an excellent display of innovative ideas directed at improving Global Sustainability. The venue for this exhibition was the unique and popular shopping district Melbourne Central.
RMIT University offers a number of graduate courses relating to Global Sustainability from Tourism to Architecture and many other fields in between. Tricia Caswell is head of the Global Sustainability school within RMIT.
Professor Ian Bates from the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Co Chairman of the Aurora Vehicle Association organised for the display of the Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car as the anchoring exhibit for the Piece and the Practice exhibition. Eleven Aurora team members, all students or staff at RMIT University participated in the exhibition and handled the many inquiries from the public. Now if all cars could run on solar power and produce no harmful emissions we would see a quantum gain in Global Sustainability.
The exhibition provided an early opportunity to distribute the latest Aurora brochure which concisely documents all the performance achievements of the Aurora group both in its current 'Beyond Dreaming' program and in its 22 year history. Aurora presently holds 9 world records in solar car activities.
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| Aurora-RMIT 101 featured at centre of display | Aurora team members share in the solar car moving duties |
The major vintage car club in country Victoria, the Western District Historic Vehicle Club, Geelong reached into the future by inviting members of Aurora as guest speakers on 10 September 2002.
This was the occasion of the regular monthly meeting of this strong club of car lovers and was attended by 170 people. Organiser of the Aurora invitation Graham Pretlove apologised for the 'low attendance' citing the cold night. Actually this group was terrific and had a great clubhouse facility perfectly set up for vehicle displays.
The Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car was the featured attraction. It had returned to the Aurora workshop from its two event campaign in Japan only 4 nights earlier and had undergone some repair work to fix transport damage incurred on the drive from Akita to Suzuka.
Aurora Co Chairman David Fewchuk and Aurora's most accomplished driver Tony Vriens explained the solar car to the enthusiastic club members and finished the evening with a 45 minute talk challenging the audience to consider ways to actively reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the pursuit of their interest in older cars and trucks.
Prominent club member and ex Ford Geelong employee Murray Coster re-acquainted himself with the Aurora members. Aurora started in Geelong in 1980 and the 1987, 1990 and 1993 solar cars were actually built in Geelong.
Part of the evening's proceedings was the announcement the famous Geelong Speed Trials would be staged again in 2002 after a break of 3 years. This will take place on Sunday, 17 November. We expect the Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car to be displayed there and to have a demonstration run or two against an Austin 7 or some such historic race car.
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| The ruthless club operating committee. |
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| Honouring the members' historic cars |
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| Ex Ford man Murray Coster admires the Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car. |
CSIRO's Division of Telecommunications and Industrial Physics in Lindfield, Sydney invited the Aurora Vehicle Association to display their 1999 Aurora101 solar car at their open days on 23 and 24 August 2002.
This division of CSIRO developed the design for the Halbach type wheelmotor used by the Aurora team since 1996. This motor is also the front wheel of the 1999 Aurora 101 and 2001 Aurora-RMIT 101 solar cars which have risen to be the most accomplished in world wide solar car development. The motor has been tested to demonstrate an efficiency of 98.4% , the highest ever in solar car racing.
The 1999 Aurora 101 solar car was the first Australian entrant to win the world championship of solar car events, the World Solar Challenge. This was first conducted in 1987 under the guidance of Hans Tholstrup.
Division Chief Warren King invited the Federal Minister for Education Science and Training, Dr Brendan Nelson to officially open proceedings on 24 August and to be the first 'volunteer' in the demonstration experiments conducted by the CSIRO training and education promotional unit. This entertaining presentation of the wonders of science was packed out all day and was a great hit amongst the students and kids in the visiting audience. Science is having a resurgence of interest if this audience is any guide. Last year this event had 1500 attendees; this year the audience jumped to 4500, half of which were students.
Friday 23 August was for official school groups to attend and 6 schools sent delegations.
Staff of the division proudly brought their families. For example Dr Pavel Shevchenko, recently from Russia, brought his super smart 9 year old daughter Elena and her friend Emily Milne along. These girls dazzled with mental arithmetic and proudly proclaimed their school Ascham Primary School in Edgecliff to be the best in Australia. This private girls school follows the Dalton Plan for education and uses the Spalding System.
The Aurora 101 solar car was demonstrated together with a full size hybrid car cutaway in their own special marquee. The display was coordinated with dedicated video about solar and hybrid power in cars as well as signage and samples of the wheelmotor components. All the 1500 Aurora brochures were taken before day's end as was most of the extensive CSIRO material, the canteen supplies and so on. A greatly successful day.
CSIRO employee and Aurora team member Howard Lovatt, together with motor specialists Paul Gwan and John Dunlop all assisted with answering the many questions about the solar car and what made it work. Great news came from Paul Gwan to announce that he will be the Chief Scrutineer at the next World Solar Challenge in October 2003!
Jacqui De Battista coordinated a great couple of days.
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| CSIRO Division Chief Warren King with his hands in the cafeteria till. | A visiting school previously experienced in solar boat racing view Aurora 101. | Local signage for CSIRO Open Day. |
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| Federal Minister Dr Brendan Nelson opens the event. | Nine year old students Emily Milne and Elena Shevchenko. | Howard Lovatt, Paul Gwan, Jacqui De Battista, and John Dunlop |
Tony Vriens, long distance driver of the Aurora solar cars displayed the 1999 world champion Aurora101 solar car at St. Josephs College in Geelong as part of the commemoration of Science Week on 14 August 2002. The Aurora Vehicle Association is dedicated to encouraging the reduction of greenhouse gases and in promoting Australian technology in the application of solar power.
Over 50 schools have been involved in seeing Aurora solar technology first hand within the present 'Beyond Dreaming' program being undertaken by Aurora team members for 2001-02.
St Josephs organised specific groups of students to see the solar car and to hear first hand the technology story of Aurora. Tony Vriens is the world's most experienced solar car driver having completed over 16000 km. piloting Aurora cars since 1993.
Professor Ian Bates, Co Chairman of the Aurora Vehicle Association and member of the faculty at RMIT University took the 1999 Aurora 101 solar car to the Billanook School in Montrose for a special viewing by the 5th and 6th grade students. This is part of Aurora's commitment to promoting greenhouse gas reduction and the future of renewable energy. Professor Bates had a distinguished career at the State Electricity Commission prior to joining RMIT so understands the finite nature of continuing to create electricity from non renewable fuels.
More than 50 schools have had direct contact with Aurora this year.
Not for the first time the Aurora 101 solar car was a key display at the RMIT University open day. This year the open day was organised by a student group and displays were organised from 8 different faculties.
Lynda Gilbert, staff member of RMIT and Aurora's membership secretary reported that attendance was over-whelming and probably the largest ever.
The Aurora Vehicle Association has 20 members that are associated with RMIT and has provided subjects and guidance on 8 thesis projects on past Aurora programs. Frank Fittipaldi a post graduate student is Aurora's battery specialist. Dennis Thoroughgood leads the electronic system management and Adrian Marziano is one of Aurora's leading solar car drivers.
David Fewchuk will be speaking to a class of RMIT University Environment students on 10 September 2002.
The RACV Energy Breakthrough is scheduled for 21-24 November at Maryborough in central Victoria. This is an exciting 24 hour race for pedal powered streamliners and hybrid streamliners, which attracts up to 100 high school entries.
A rapidly growing number of entries is competing in the hybrid category where pedal power is supplemented by either solar-electric or petrol propulsion.
A special seminar open to the hybrid entrants was conducted on 27 June and featured Clive Humphris, aerodynamics designer of the superb Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car and David Fewchuk, Co-Chairman of the Aurora Vehicle Association.
The 9 schools in attendance - Bendigo Senior Secondary College (Y 11-12), Chairo Christian School, Drouin, Damascus College, Ballarat (Y 7-10), Flora Hill, Bendigo (Y 7-10), Grovedale Secondary College, Geelong, Maryborough Regional College, Numurkah Secondary College (Y 7-12), Weeroona College, Bendigo, Wesley College, Glen Waverley - will be keen competitors in November in the RACV Energy Breakthrough and are expected to be amongst the leading finishers.
The RACV is a strong, long-term supporter of Aurora and publicised the important "Back a Winner!" solar cell campaign which featured in the present program of Aurora activities.
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| Seminar organisers, Amanda Webb and Cheyne McKee | Clive Humphris advising on aerodynamics |
The spectacular Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car went on display at Eltham on a perfect solar day - 5 June, 2002.
The group, People for Environmental Protection (P.E.P.) organised a day long series of visits and talks around the Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car display at the Rotunda in the Eltham Shopping Centre.
Seven local schools brought groups of enthusiastic students to hear about solar energy and to see the solar car. The questions came thick and fast particularly from the younger primary aged students.
Nillumbik Shire Council and the adjoining merchants strongly supported this commemoration of World Environment Day which attracted over 400 students and many observers from the public.
Pre-publicity, arranged by P.E.P. included a 50 minute interview about Aurora's achievements, on Plenty Valley FM with Marie Ryan, just prior to 5 June.
Jan Baddeley, wife of former Aurora team leader, Viv Baddeley, was a welcome visitor, as was David Smollenars, son of Peter, who advised Aurora on resin formulations for the construction of the slick Aurora bodywork.
The seven schools attending were: Eltham Primary School, Eltham East Primary School, Eltham North Primary School, Eltham High School, Eltham College, Montmorency Secondary College, Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Primary School.
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| Marie Ryan, Plenty Valley FM presenter |
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| Aurora-RMIT 101 on show in Eltham | Eltham student posing a solar question. |
Australian Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. John Howard, launched the significant book about CSIRO scientists and personalities on 15 May, 2002. The book was written by Brad Collis.
Aurora was invited to attend the launch in Canberra, as the book included CSIRO's involvement in the development of the highly efficient wheel-motor which drives Aurora's success.
An eminent audience of leading science heroes made this a special event and Aurora team members Rosie Schmedding and David Fewchuk were privileged to be part of this audience.
The 520 page book "Fields of Discovery" is published by Allen and Unwin (e-mail: briony@allenandunwin.com).
The Aurora 101 solar car also features in the special booklet issued by CSIRO to commemorate its 75th year.
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| Ross Stevens, CSIRO and Aurora team member Rosie Schmedding | Brad Collis, signing Aurora's copy of 'Fields of Discovery' |
A unique Technological Conference and Exhibition featuring Australian and Italian participants saw the Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car on display as an example of leading edge technology.
Some 200 Italian researchers came to this event which was held in the Rialto Towers, Melbourne. Two special show cars flown in from Italy themed around efficiency in urban transport were matched by displays of the hybrid Concept Car from the Australian automotive components industry and the Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car.
Dennis Burns, one of Aurora's members demonstrated the features of the Australian hybrid show car, whilst a number of team members displayed the solar car.
Foundation Supporters of Aurora, Minter Ellison are major tenants of the Rialto Towers and it was a great opportunity to invite Minter Ellison's friends to this exhibition at a special showing on 26 March.
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Minter Ellison automotive partner Peter
George with Aurora Co Chairman RMIT Professor Ian Bates
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Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car display at
Rialto Towers
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Long term Aurora supporters CSIRO requested that the solar car be displayed at the new site for their Energy R&D in Newcastle on the occasion of 'the turning of the sod'. This took place on 22 March 2002.
The Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car is an extraordinary example of energy efficiency. Its space grade Tecstar solar cells [as also used on the NASA Mars lander program] produce some 1500 watts. This is about the power output of a good household toaster. On this sort of power the Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car set a new speed record of 86.2 kph when it ran at the Ford proving ground at the You Yangs on 16 March 2002.
The solar car also features other highly efficient Australian technologies in having AERL solar trackers, RMIT tested aerodynamics, and a highly efficient wheel-motor developed with CSIRO.
This historic event was attended by the Premier of NSW the Hon Bob Carr, the Federal Minister Peter McGauran, the head of CSIRO Dr. Geoff Garrett and the Lord Mayor of Newcastle.
Pacific Solar, another of Aurora's supporters have made inroads in the Newcastle market with their Plug'n'Power roof-top photovoltaic system including an installation at a popular Newcastle restaurant.
Aurora has appreciated its long term association with the CSIRO not only in motor development but also in battery testing and supercapacitors.
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| NSW Premier Bob Carr | CSIRO hesd Geoff Garrett with Aurora team member Mark Burns |
An important initiative within the Victorian Government's Auto Week is the inclusion of the Automotive Industry Career Days staged at the Ford Discovery Centre in Geelong.
Some 1,200 students and parents from schools in the Geelong district, attended the 7 sessions organised to display a range of automotive career streams.
The Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car featured in these presentations and Aurora's lead driver and Geelong resident, Tony Vriens, spoke at each of the sessions.
The Victorian Government, itself a significant Foundation Supporter of Aurora's program, provided financial support to the three day event, staged by the Ford Discovery Centre.
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| Ford Discovery Centre |
The VACC, organisers of the Melbourne International Motor Show, supported the display of the Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car at the 2002 event. Attendance exceeded 255,000 people, a new show record.
The solar car was displayed in a prominent position at the entrance to the Motor Show and was adjacent to Australia's two outstanding Concept Cars which have boosted Australia's automotive export sales to new record values.
Some 20 Aurora team members attended the stand and engaged many of the public in discussion about the future of environmentally friendly transportation.
The leader of the Lake Tuggeranong College solar car team, Stuart Clode, made an unexpected visit to the Aurora stand along with his 2 sons and his father.
Aurora team member, Todd Willing, had his own project car on display at the show. Dubbed SP/9R, this prototype sports-racing car drew a lot of comment and interest.
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| Dennis Thoroughgood polishing the 2001 WSC cup |
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| Tuggeranongs Clode clan 'admiring' Aurora | Aurora-RMIT 101 at entrance of Melbourne Motor Show |
The Aurora Vehicle Association with its program partner the RMIT University have had such a successful program of on-road events and achievements that it wanted an opportunity to thank its 56 supporting companies and organisations for all of the direct and indirect help they have made available.
CAST, the Cooperative Research Centre for Cast Metals Manufacturing were featured at this function held at the magnificent atrium lobby of long term Aurora supporter, 101 Collins Street.
A great number of Aurora supporters were present using the occasion to make business contacts and to share in the success enjoyed by the Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car since it was launched at this same location by the Victorian State Treasurer the Hon John Brumby on 2 November 2001.
A new brochure was launched, featuring the development story of the extraordinary electric wheel-motor used in the Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car. CAST through its constituent member QMI were instrumental in having this motor developed in record time using light-weight magnesium for its housings. Four motors were built but such has been the reliability of this new design that the first one is still in the car having now exceeded 20000 km. in events since November 2001.
The Aurora team finished second in the World Solar Challenge last November having a gripping race long battle with the eventual winner Alpha Centauri from Holland.
Shortly after completing the WSC the Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car successfully undertook to establish a new world distance record for a solar car journey by circumnavigating Australia in a 13054 km journey. Another 6 world records were subsequently established or broken.
Finally, in February, the Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car was the record setting winner of the Australian Greenhouse Office Sunrace 2002. The promoter of this event John Hoerner graciously agreed to be MC for this Celebratory Function.
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| Natalia Veldman, CAST marketing manager with magnesium display | Gordon Dunlop, CEO of CAST with MC John Hoerner |
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| Lead driver. Tony Vriens with parents |
The Victorian Minister for Manufacturing Industry, the Hon. Rob Hulls, officially opened Victoria's Auto week activities with an industry reception on 26 February 2002.
The two featured displays were the Ford sponsored Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car and Toyota's new Formula 1 Grand Prix race car.
Some 200 senior executives of the Australian automotive industry attended the reception, beautifully located at the Fox Classic Car Museum. Brian Tanti, Museum Director was most encouraging of the Aurora display.
MC for the evening, Leigh Diffey, interviewed Toyota driver Alan McNish as a lead up to staging the Australian Grand Prix on 3 March 2002. As it turned out, Toyota earned their first GP Championship point in by finishing sixth in the race itself.
Aurora Foundation Supporter, Bosch, had their new Australian Managing Director, Krister Mellve present along with long term friend of Aurora, Barry Comben and Aurora Association secretary, Julia Burns.
This occasion was the first for use of 3 new Aurora brochures.
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| Aurora team member Sorin Ionascu gets friendly with Formula 1 | Bosch Australia's new MD Krister Mellve with Aurora team secretary Julia Burns and FAPM President Barry Comben |
Event Director for the 2002 Australian Greenhouse Office Sunrace assembled a fine group of "green" vehicle to launch the race at the new Melbourne Museum on 30 January, 2002.
Victoria's State Treasurer, the Hon. John Brumby, delivered an inspired speech to the media about Victoria's initiatives in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He ceremoniously flagged off the champion Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car which was the first entrant for this upcoming event.
Gwen Andrews, head of the Australian Greenhouse Office and naming-sponsor of the event, attended the launch as did David Young, Chief Executive of Sustainable Energy Authority for Victoria.
The Melbourne Museum staff were impressed with the solar car in particular and arranged for it to be displayed for the day.
Aurora's final commitment was on Channel 10's evening news report - the sun was shining brightly!
The AGO Sunrace starts in Adelaide on Saturday, 16 February and follows a 2,300 km course to Broken Hill, Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney, finishing on 23 February. Watch for reports on how the Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car performs in this event.
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| The Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car is ceremoniously flagged away from the Melbourne Museum. | Victoria's Treasurer, the Hon. John Brumby, congratulates Tony Vriens on being the world's most accomplished solar car driver. |
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| Aurora-RMIT 101 next to the 1907 Wolseley Siddeley. |
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| Aurora lead car driver, Theresa Dolman. |
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| That's where Aurora's colour came from. |
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| Now - how do you climb into that contraption? |
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| Lindsay Fox checks out the Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car. |
The RACV staged a wonderful "car lovers" event on Sunday, 20 January - a rally for a 600 strong collection of interesting vintage and veteran cars from Melbourne to the Mornington Peninsula.
The organisers invited the Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car to lead the event away from Melbourne Town Hall. The 2001 solar super car started next to a 1907 Wolseley Siddeley. The two cars separated by 94 years and "light years" of technology.
Imagine that in 94 years' time, the solar car could be the vintage car. What will be the form of transport a century from now?
The RACV Great Australian Rally is organised by Frank Douglas, distantly connected with Aurora through his son, Ken Douglas, Managing Director of MoTeC, one of Aurora's technology sponsors.
The event entrants stopped halfway at Hastings on Western Port Bay for refreshments, where the Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car attracted great attention. Then it was on to the Mornington Racecourse for the afternoon of enjoying cars. Event patron, Lindsay Fox, showed some of his great collection of cars and the Aurora-RMIT 101 solar car was privileged to be shown alongside.
Events: 2003 | 2002
| 2001 | 2000
| 1999
