Sunshark closes in on the leaders of the Solar Challenge

DAY TWO - 1999 WORLD SOLAR CHALLENGE

Sunshark closes in on the leaders of the Solar Challenge

The leading solar vehicle teams are closely bunched at the end of day two of the 1999 World Solar Challenge race from Darwin to Adelaide.

The University of Queensland's Solar Racing vehicle Sunshark is in fourth place just an hour behind the leader Queens University from Canada at the end of the day's racing.

Sunshark passed three teams during a day of exciting racing.

Starting the day in seventh position Sunshark worked its way through the field averaging 65-70 kilometres an hour in overcast conditions with a few light showers.

Team publicist Elana Maher said while other teams had problems during the day, Sunshark had been reliable and able to maintain a steady speed.

"We've had a great day and Bernie Walsh was able to drive for four hours non-stop despite temperatures in the cockpit hovering around the 40 degrees celsius mark," Ms Maher said

The Sunshark team finished day two of the World Solar Challenge race about 150 kilometres south of Tennant Creek.

The crew expect Sunshark to arrive in Alice Springs at lunchtime Wednesday.

The forecast for Day Three is for the cloudy conditions to continue.

"Its not a good forecast but it's the same for all the teams," Ms Maher said.

At the end of the days racing which begins at 8am and finishes at 5pm the top four cars are as follows: (unofficial information)

Leader Queens University Canada
Second Northern Territory University 'Desert Rose'
Third Melbourne entrant 'Aurora'
Fourth University of Queensland 'Sunshark

For further information contact Elana Maher on satellite telephone 0145/199 360

Web posted: 1800 Monday 18 October 1999