Since 2002 Australian Automotive Air (AAA - DENSO's manufacturing plant) has sponsored Ringwood Secondary College (RSC) in the "RACV Energy Break Through" event held in the Victorian regional city of Maryborough. Maryborough is located approximately 2 hours north west of Melbourne, set amongst the foothills of Victoria's high planes.

The "Break Through" has been running since 1991, with categories including Push Carts and Human Powered Vehicles (HPV) for primary school children, and HPV and Hybrid Powered (no human power) categories for secondary school students. RSC races in the Hybrid category. It is a 24 hour endurance race on a very tight road circuit. The vehicles are built by Year 10 and 11 students as part of their school curriculum. Thousands of students come from all across Australia to compete, with an amazing level of team organisation and commitment.

This year the weather was perfect. After a stormy night, race day dawned with bright blue clear sky and a heavy expectation on all the contestants as they went about last minute preparations.

All vehicles must meet very stringent guidelines with regard to safety, length and width, fuel sources (one litre of petrol), safety harness, horn, lights and electronic lap counters. This year the vehicles on the starting grid filled the entire straight. It was a colourful sight. Every vehicle is very different. 2005 saw, for the first time, a double seat vehicle powered by diesel. RSC had a new solar panel innovation, recharging the batteries while racing.

The RSC team of students were given Team T-Shirts and AAA caps by Russell Pettis the MD of AAA. This was greatly appreciated by the students, who all immediately put on their team uniform and proudly stood behind their vehicles for a team photograph.

All the RSC teams competed well, but mechanical issues dogged two of the vehicles. The students worked hard to get their vehicles back on the track, working on flat tyres, broken struts, fuel blockages and other issues. One vehicle kept going and made it to the finish line, it finished sixth in its class.

The effort of the RSC students was recognised by the race's major sponsor General Motors, who gave the students the major encouragement award. This included a brand new engine for the Automotive and Manufacturing Training Centre at the school.

AAA is proud of its ongoing relationship with the students at RSC. They have again demonstrated team work, commitment, endurance, technical skills and a willingness to help each other that is the hallmark of any good team.