SunShark second in first leg of race

UQ solar car SunShark made a promising start in the 1999 CitiPower SunRace despite a last minute mechanical failure in the team's new motor.

After missing the start of the 1790km race at the Rocks in Sydney, SunShark joined the field on the M5 motorway when official timing began.

Team project manager Darren Bell said SunShark made excellent speed in the bright sunny conditions, breaking its previous speed record along the way.

He said SunShark had hit 110km per hours several times along the 270km leg.

'We completed the stage to Canberra in less than three hours at an average speed of 85km per hour," Mr Bell said.

"We're very happy with the result, especially since we're using our backup motor at the moment."

Early this morning team members discovered a major fault inside the new motor. A decision was made to immediately switch to the belt-driven backup motor and send the wheel motor back to Brisbane for repairs.

At the end of the day the Spirit of Canberra, raced by Lake Tuggeranong College was first across the line of 15 solar cars and electric vehicles, followed by SunShark and the University of New South Wales vehicle Sunswift II.

Mr Bell said he anticipated the wheel motor would be reinstalled for the third stage between Wagga Wagga and Hay after repairs had been tested.

The SunRace finishes in Melbourne at Albert Park on Saturday, January 23.