Off and racing at Kangan Institute

A billy cart designed by students at Kangan Institute will compete this weekend at the Red Bull Billy Cart race in Melbourne.

The non-motorised ‘Kangan Institute Flyer’ was created and manufactured by students studying Motorsport Technology at the Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE) at Docklands.

Kangan Institute Executive Director of Education Delivery at ACE Joe Ballato said the students used knowledge developed through their course to build a gravity-powered vehicle, that they hope will fly downhill quicker than any other competitor on Saturday.

“The ‘Kangan Institute Flyer’ was constructed from old bicycle parts, using the frames, original bike steering and suspension to develop it over a five-month period,” he said.  

“The body work of the vehicle has been built from reclaimed parts from Super Cars, with an emphasis on sustainability through the reuse of materials.

“We are proud of the finished product that was very much a collaborative effort, with teachers providing support with the body work and spray painting.”

The student-designed billy cart will race against 60 other competitors at Landsdowne Street in Melbourne on Saturday at 12pm.

“We wish our students well in the race and look forward to seeing how this innovative vehicle performs,” Mr Ballato said.