SunShark takes lead

The University of Queensland solar car, SunShark, has taken the lead in the second leg of the CitiPower Sunrace.

SunShark overtook overnight leader Spirit of Canberra soon after the start of today's (Monday, January 18, 1999) 262km section from Canberra to Wagga Wagga.

The solar-powered racer came second in yesterday's (Sunday's) Sydney-Canberra first leg of the 1790km Sydney to Melbourne race.

SunShark is expected to make good speed in the sunny and cloudless conditions in southern inland New South Wales.

Spirit of Canberra pulled over with suspected suspension difficulties during the first section of today's leg.

SunShark project manager Darren Bell said morale was high after this morning's effort.

"We had an average speed of amost 90km/h on the Sydney-Canberra leg and we have probably sustained that this morning," he said.

"If the good weather continues we should be able to maintain and even improve on that average. We knew SunShark was capable of speeds up to 110km/h, but we didn't expect it to be able to maintain these speeds for as long as it has."

SunShark began this morning's section in second place behind Spirit of Canberra but ahead of SunSwift II, Aurora 101 and Queensland entry Capricorn SolarFlair.

Further information, Steve Goodwin, SunShark publicity co-ordinator, on mobile telephone 0412 635 194.