2004 101 Collins Street Display
AURORA 101 SOLAR CAR SHINES AT 101 COLLINS STREET
22-26 November 2004
Just 10 days after returning from its 3 country, 8 month international competition schedule the famous Aurora 101 solar car was displayed in the magnificent marble floored atrium of 101 Collins Street Melbourne.
The Aurora 101 solar car returns from 8 months overseas |
Considering the driving schedule, the shipping schedule and the tough competitive events that Aurora 101 had undergone in 2004 it looked superb in this prestige setting. Along with the solar car, the collection of trophies earned by Aurora was displayed as well as the full size 'plug' from which the moulds for the body had been made.
The full display including trophies and the plug |
101 Collins Street is the best business centre in Melbourne, demonstrating high technology tenant services and a prestigious tenant listing. The 101 Collins Street management company is smoothly run by Peter Young, who along with his administrative team have been strong supporters of the Aurora project since 1996. On 25 March 1996 the Aurora program for a totally new solar car was launched at 101 Collins Street. Later in the year the car was unveiled at the same location by the then Victorian State Premier, Jeff Kennett.
In every competitive event in both Australia and overseas the Aurora solar car proudly races under the number 101.
The week-long show created a great deal of interest. The 25 year anniversary Aurora poster was very popular, and more than 300 were taken. The brochures were also moving.
A very important tenant of the building came to have a close look at the solar car. He was the Prime Minister of Australia from December 1975 until March 1983, the RT. Hon. Malcolm Fraser AC CH. His interest in historic cars made him a natural for understanding some of the technology embodied in the solar car. He commented about the time he was a passenger with Manuel Fangio admiring the tremendous driving skill this champion had demonstrated. Malcolm Fraser is also admired for his work as Chairman of CARE Australia where he still serves on the Advisory Board.
The RT. Hon. Malcolm Fraser AC CH imagines how he or Peter Young could possibly fit in the Aurora 101 cockpit |
Jan and Bill Dix were also visitors to the show. Bill Dix had been head of Ford Australia when the first solar car was prepared in 1987. It finished second in the inaugural World Solar Challenge run from Darwin to Adelaide. In 1992 Bill Dix, as head of Qantas, assisted the solar car team to compete in the first big race in Japan, the Suzuka 'Dream Cup'. Since then Aurora has returned to Suzuka 3 times and presently holds both the race lap record and has been the only entrant to achieve 50 laps in a 4 hour heat.
Peter Young hosts the visit of Jan and Bill Dix |
The partnership between 101 Collins Street and the Aurora solar car team has been a great success. It was a commemoration of that partnership that made this display so appropriate. Aurora plans an exciting new period of activity over the next two years including the development of a new solar car and the start up of 5 new teams in Victoria. Hot and Fast will continue.
Aurora leader David Fewchuk is pleased to have the solar car back in Australia |