SunShark among the leaders

The University of Queensland solar car, SunShark, remained in overall second place in the CitiPower SunRace from Sydney to Melbourne after completing the 292km fourth leg from Hay to Mildura today (Wednesday, January 20).

SunShark publicity co-ordinator Steve Goodwin said SunShark had recovered from being fourth in yesterday's leg from Wagga Wagga to Hay when cloudy conditions and a strong headwind caused the UQ vehicle to slow to 2km/h as its batteries ran low.

"Today we performed well and recovered five minutes on the overall leader, Spirit of Canberra," Mr Goodwin said.

"Both SunShark and the University of New South Wales vehicle Sunswift II attempted to go for the world solar challenge average speed record over 100km,.

"This is currently held by Victorian solar car team Aurora 101 with a speed of 100.9km per hour."

"However, the UNSW vehicle broke down and we did not have the 100 percent sunlight necessary to gun SunShark along. Because of atmospheric haze there was only 70 percent solar light.

"We ran our vehicle more conservatively today and we think we are getting better tactically as the race goes along."

The fifth leg of the SunRace tomorrow (Thursday January 21) will be 242km from Mildura to Swan Hill.
The race will finish in Albert Park in Melbourne on January 23.

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