embargoed: Wednesday, 25 June 2003
Team Patron: Sir Jack Brabham, O.B.E.
13 nationalities take Melbourne based Aurora Solar Car Team to Japan.
The solar car world's most accomplished team will compete against 100 of Japan's best next month at the prestigious Formula One Motor Racing Circuit in Suzuka, Japan. After appearing as a demonstration vehicle last year, and setting the fastest lap record at the FIA Electro-Solar ‘Dream’ Cup, the Aurora team has been invited to compete at this year's event, from July 25-27, 2003.
A team of 64 enthusiasts volunteer approximately 16,000 hours a year to design, develop and build the Aurora solar car.
The team includes 21 students - the majority from RMIT - studying or completing Ph.D's in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, robotics and automation, specialising in the fields power quality, renewable energy, power lines protection, and solar car efficiency.
In unveiling the technically upgraded solar car and launching Aurora's international competitive events plan for 2003/04, Victoria's Minister for Manufacturing & Export, The Hon. Tim Holding highlighted the group's young and capable engineers from the 13 cultural and social backgrounds of Romania, Croatia, Greece, Pakistan, Iran, Philippines, Kenya, India, Mexico, USA, Italy, England and Australia "united in their commitment to carrying the flag of Australian technology".
"The Aurora car has become a potent symbol of a sustainable future, clearly identified as a Melbourne based technology group, and proudly supported by Victoria's car and component industry" Mr Holding said. The Minister urged Australian companies to support the activities of the group and to assist Aurora's enthusiastic members in their pursuit of extreme energy saving technologies.
Aurora has become the world's most accomplished solar car team, setting 8 new world records in the last 18 months in addition to breaking world records set by previous champions Honda (Japan), Biel (Switzerland) and Queens (Canada).
Next year, the team will represent Australia in the Phaethon 2004 Solar Car Rally, a 775 km journey from Athens through Ancient Olympia, as part of Greece's pre-Olympic cultural events.
High resolution images and
further background on Aurora is available on the Aurora web site - www.aurorasolarcar.com.
For further information contact: David Fewchuk 8608 2889 0411 250464
Foundation Sponsors: Ford, Minter Ellison, 101 Collins, Gochermann, Sumitomo.
Major Supporters: 3M, Bosch, Hook Plastics, CSIRO, RMIT, Yomiuri Shimbun, Aurora Place, Technique.
Supporters: ATA, PBR, TOLL, AFT, Orbital, Air International, GH Craft, Refine Engineering, Tridonic, MoTeC, Auto Innovations, Marand, Eibach, City of Melbourne, Nissan, Mazda, CAMS, Flexdrive, Artimech, AERL, Tritium, Koni Toperformance, PPG, Ford Geelong Toolroom, Dyno Dynamics.