World Solar Challenge 1990
In the 1990 World Solar Challenge, the AERL (now Aurora) entry was an improved modification of the 2nd-placing Ford car in the 1987 World Solar Challenge. The car was modified to three wheels, improved struts and aero bodywork. The car ran reliably and was placed 6th in a field of 36. The car was the first of the 11 Australian teams in the event and was the top car in the lead acid class.
The top nine finishers arrived within 20 hours of each other, with only three hours between 6th and 9th, proving that tactics, planning and reliability are just as important as getting the design of the car right.
Race Results
| Placing | Team | Car | Origin | Time | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Ingenieurschule Biel | Spirit of Biel/Bienne II | Switzerland | 46:08 h:m | 65.18 km/h |
| 2nd | Honda R & D | Dream | Japan | 54:60 h:m | 54.68 km/h |
| 3rd | University of Michigan | Sunrunner | USA | 57:15 h:m | 52.33 km/h |
| 4th | Hoxan | Phoebus III | Japan | 57:21 h:m | 52.44 km/h |
| 5th | Western Washington University | Viking XX | USA | 58:30 h:m | 51.40 km/h |
| 6th | AERL | AERL | Australia | 59:54 h:m | 50.20 km/h |
