Six years ago the Aurora solar car set a new mark for the journey between Australia's two major cities travelling on Australia's busiest highway, the Hume. This was done in 12hours 48 minutes for a distance of 868 km.

It's time to see whether this can be improved upon as the solar supercar Aurora 101 sets off from Melbourne to Sydney to be part of the Australia Day festivities in the Harbour City.

Departure is planned at 6.00 AM from 101 Collins Street Melbourne on Tuesday 24 January 2006. This magnificent building with it prominent Doric columns and high technology attributes is the pace setter in Melbourne corporate accommodation and has been associated with the high technology solar car for the past 10 years. The solar car and its supporting vehicles will be flagged away by Peter Young, 'father' of 101 Collins Street.

The route is along the Hume Highway right into the heart of Sydney's financial district where the journey will finish at the incredible Aurora Place where accomplished and internationally famous Italian architect Renzo Piano penned the spectacular ABN AMRO building, itself the new place to be in the Sydney business district.

This is a serious journey for the Aurora 101 solar car. It will be cocooned between two support cars displaying flashing yellow lights. Veteran strategist Peter Pudney will control every move the solar car makes including speed, energy usage and traffic positioning. Wiyh good weather the solar car need make no stop along the way but the Mazda support cars will need a bit of topping up. The solar car drivers will be Sydney based 20 year old Selleys sponsored Porsche Cup pilot Ian Dyk and Hamilton based Suzuka lap record holder Derrick Rodgers. This is the first occasion the two drivers are paired as a prelude to them working together at the 2006 Suzuka Dream Cup [the world's largest solar car race] next August where we are preparing for an Aurora win.

The target time is 11 hours for the 900+ km journey. About 70 cents of electricity will be consumed from the lithium polymer battery. Cheaper than the best of the red or blue deals from the major airlines.

What we are looking forward to is the Australia Day festivities in Sydney. The Aurora 101 solar car will be on display at Centennial Park from 10.00 AM on Thursday 26 January 2006. It will be joined by 'Bibendum' the famous white tyre balloon man from Michelin. Visitors to the park will be able to see the solar car in action at Centennial Park and meet Ian Dyk The highlight for the proud Melbourne based Aurora 101 solar car team will be the passing though Centennial Park of the Queen's Baton Relay on its journey around Australia before arriving in Melbourne for the Commonwealth Games.

Aurora 101 will be on display at Aurora Place for a week after Australia Day before returning to Melbourne early February.