Mike Brown
Photo: Supplied
7:12 Our Own Odysseys - Solar Challenge
Mike Brown shares his motorcycle adventures photographing solar challenge competitors racing down the Stuart Highway from Darwin to Adelaide.
Hans Tholstrup, the “larger-than-life” adventurer,
futurist and founder of the brainsport of solarcar racing, shown with
the WSC trophy in 1990. Photo- Copyright: Rehia Photo Library
Solar Kiwi, NZ’s first solarcar, built in Hamilton by
mechanic and motorsport enthusiast Stewart Lister’s small team of
family and friends. The car had four electric mobility scooter motors
which collectively turned the single rear wheel. (NZ Geo issue 9). Photo- Copyright: Rehia Photo Library
Dripstone College from Darwin closely followed by the
Hawaiian Konawaena High School car – that the Hollywood movie Race the
Sun was made about. After almost 3000km there were three highschool
teams still jostling with each other in strong side-winds - Annesley
College was the other team - in an exciting battle to the finish. Photo- Copyright: Rehia Photo Library
Modeled on a popular Japanese cartoon character this
vehicle and zany team achieved their purpose admirably, capturing hearts
and minds of the young and young-of-heart, also providing inspiration
for a subsequent giant solar platypus. Photo- Copyright: Rehia Photo Library
Deadlife abounds on the Stuart Highway, mostly killed at
nigh and eaten the following morning. Creatures lured to the warm night roads and hypnotic headlights pose a deadly risk to unprepared motorists, though the trucks have big bumpers and often don’t even slow down. Photo- Copyright: Rehia Photo Library
1993 Honda Dream camped after first day of
racing and topping up batteries with remaining afternoon sun. Ultimate
winner of the event travelling the 3000km from Darwin to Adelaide in 35
hours and 28 minutes at an average speed of 84.96 km/h. Photo- Copyright: Rehia Photo Library
Eolian from Chile races ahead of the rapidly
approaching most dramatic dust storm Australia had experienced for many
years. The race was actually called off at this point. Photo- Copyright: Rehia Photo Library
SolarFern rapidly closing in on Coober Pedy in 2007 WSC.
The Christchurch-built car had a digital “kiwi-style ” speedometer –
only able to display up to 99km/h, their “official” speed at the time. –
but I know how fast they were really going. Photo- Copyright: Rehia Photo Library
Japanese team Aisol doing a quick wheel change because of a
puncture, under the watchful eye of the WSC observer. Photo- Copyright: Rehia Photo Library
Photographer Aleida Spoelstra in a typical “desert hotel”
having a sleep-in just north of Port Augusta. Photo- Copyright: Rehia Photo Library
Unprepared tourists risk their lives in the desert –
these ones were saved by a lucky encounter with a solarcar team. Photo- Copyright: Rehia Photo Library
Harri Spoelstra about to leave Auckland in 2011 as the first passenger in the Bochum University solarcar during their historic solar-powered global terrestrial circumnavigation. Photo- Copyright: Rehia Photo Library
Waikato University’s electric commuter
vehicle built by Dr Mike Duke’s students leaving Darwin during the 2007 WSC event. Photo- Copyright: Rehia Photo Library
7:30 The Sampler
Nick Bollinger discusses a soulful sophomore set from Michael Kiwanuka, Kirsten Johnstone reviews the first new music in seven years from local singer, songwriter and social activitst Steve Abel; while Sam Wicks lends an ear to Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane's first post-prison release.
8:12 Nights' Pundit - Religion
Religious studies Prof. Douglas Pratt from the University of Waikato discusses Islamophobia.
8:30 Window on the World
Graffiti's modern role is evolving rapidly. From Europe to Brazil, street artists are displaying their anger about inequality, invisibility, corruption and control. Powerful images and words on walls are creating international headlines. But can breaking one law help to change another? Where should the line be drawn between democracy and vandalism, vandalism and art? Steve Urquhart talks to some famous graffiti artists.
9:07 Tuesday Feature
A Flickering Flame - It's well over a century since the founder of the modern Olympics voiced his ideal that "The important thing is not to win but to take part". But, as athletes prepare for the 31st Olympiad, How does that noble ideal fit with the modern phenomena of professionalism, doping, individual financial gain, nationalistic pride and huge corporate sponsorship? In our Tuesday feature the BBC's Owen Bennet-Jones asks: 'Is the Olympic Ideal Dead?'
10:17 Late Edition
A roundup of today's RNZ News and feature interviews as well as Date Line Pacific from RNZ International.
11:07 World Music
Tonight in Episode 5 of WOMAD Taranaki - The World's Festival 2016 features a live performance from Hazmat Modine, a band formed by virtuso harmonica player Wade Schuman. The 8 piece band perform an eclectic mix of music informed by the spirit of 1920's New Orleans jazz, blues, swing, Klezmer and Jamaican Rocksteady. Originating from New York City Hazmat Modine have gone on to grow a global audience playing on the Festival and Jazz circuits as far afield as Russia, and for their first time, Womad NZ.
