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1. It all started with a concept of what the Aussie Racing Cars could look like with a Toyota Aurion body shell. That concept is now becoming a reality and we will reveal it step by step in the lead up to its official launch..
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2. The first of the technical drawing released shows the front corner of the Aurion and how it fits around the Aussie Racing Cars chassis. The detail of this body shell will take the Aussie Racing Cars to a new level of presentation.
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3. The second image shows the mirror image of the front section of the body with the distinctive grill opening and Toyota badge area. |
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4. The third image in the series shows the way the body fits over the rear of the chassis. The complexity in making the body fit the Aussie Racing Car chassis while still looking like an Aurion is amazing.
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5. This image shows the complexity in the design work. It shows the main body section ready for fitment of the lift off front. This drawing shows extensions in the design process that are used to identfy the chassis firewall parameters.
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6. The rear quarter of the Aurion is revealed showing the design detail of the body work and rear diffuser.
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7. In this picture the body shape starts to fall into place over the chassis with the detail of the design becoming more evident. The careful attention to the guard flaring detail coupled with the aerodynamic lines of the Aurion body gives the car a bold and tough looking stance.
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8. The full body shape over the chassis. The front is a fantastic replication of the full size TRD Aurion.
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9. Russell Mapplebeck is the Chief Designer and head of the Toyota Aurion Aussie Racing Car design Team. "I have had a very enjoyable time doing the design and I am absolutely delighted with the result. Although it has been solid work for the last 4 months I love the shape and the style we have been able to encompass in to the final product," said Russell, as he showed us the final rendering on his computer screen.
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10. The CAD files are then used to drive the 5 axis mill that cuts the shape out. Here the 2 doors share the same mould pattern.
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11. Programmer/Machinist Andrew Kocan drives the mill at full speed cutting the mould sections to 100% accuracy.
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12. Andrew Kocan finishes the set up on another mould section ready for machining. Each section of the body is machined to a fine detailed finish with each cut revealing the Aurion Race car shape.
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13. This image shows the side of the Aurion nearing completion. It will then have approximately 6 hours spent on it sanding and polishing to a high surface finish before being assembled with the other adjoining mould sections.
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14. Machinist Andy Tilbrook (closest to camera) and Production Manager Steve Horvath work on the lift off front mould. The 5 axis mill runs a cutter speed in excess of 10,000RPM but there is more that 400 hours of machining time so 2 machinists share the work load. Finish cuts are run automatically overnight.
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15. The side mould has been sanded and hand polished to a mirror finish and is ready to be assembled with the other moulds sections. The distinctive shape and detail of the Aurion Race car can be seen in this image.
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16. The side has been fitted up to the roof section. The rear is ready for location.
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17. Both mould sides and the rear are fitted up and secured ready for laying up composites.
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18. The Aurion was finally revealled on Channel 10’s RPM show last weekend and has thrilled viewrers before it has even hit the track.
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TOYOTA JOINS AUSSIE RACING CARS SUPER SERIES
3 May 2008
Toyota Australia has put an end to long-running media speculation by announcing it will enter the Aussie Racing Cars Super Series with the TRD Aurion, making it the first manufacturer to directly support one of Australia's most exciting racing categories.
Using a scaled-down body shell of the new TRD Aurion performance sedan, Toyota intends to have at least four of the mini racers competing in the latter half of the 2008 season.
The series is a support category for the V8 Supercar Championship and races at some of Australia's biggest events, including the Australian Formula One Grand Prix and at Indy on the Gold Coast.
Aussie Racing Cars director Phil Ward said Toyota's involvement was a great boost to the category and hopes it will encourage other manufacturers to enter.
"Toyota's involvement is a glowing endorsement of the credibility of the category," Ward said. "It gives the series another level of interest and it will be wonderful having a major manufacturer involved.
"The TRD Aurion's body shell is really more of a caricature than a scaled-down version of the real car. We are in the final stages of producing the initial test moulds now so the finished product will be on the track later this year."
Every car in the field runs a spec mechanical package and chassis that is fitted with moulded body shells representing the relevant make and model of the car.
The cars are powered by a 1.2-litre, twin-cam, four-valve Yamaha engine, producing 91kW and 11,500rpm.
They weigh 450kg and have a top speed of 230km/h and accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds.
Toyota motorsport manager Todd Connolly said he was pleased Toyota could assist another feeder category in Australian motorsport.
"Toyota is really pleased to join such a fun, popular and exciting series as Aussie Racing Cars," Connolly said.
"It is a great grass-roots category for young drivers to showcase their talent and for experienced campaigners to race competitively at a minimal cost. Phil Ward must be congratulated on how well the series has developed since its launch in 2001."
Current series star Adam Gowans will step into one of the TRD Aurion Aussie Racing Cars, while another will feature a series of guest drivers, including rally champions Simon Evans and Neal Bates.
Although the series has been based around Ford and Holden-derived cars, Ward said he does not see the category as a red versus blue battle and hopes Toyota's involvement will encourage other manufacturers to get involved.
