Sunshark leads the Solar Challenge race out of Darwin

The University of Queensland's Solar Racing vehicle Sunshark made a brilliant start to the 3010km World Solar Challenge, which began in Darwin yesterday (Sunday October 17).

Starting from grid position 20 the SunShark threaded its way through the to lead the race out of Darwin.

The Sharkshark couldn't maintain its early pace because of a problem with some of the circuit breakers on the vehicle's solar array panel. The malfunction cut the power available from the solar array by up to 30 percent.

Project manager Darren Bell said the support crew fixed the electrical problem during an unscheduled pit stop near Katherine.

"We were running fourth at that stage of the race but we lost three places during the roadside stop," Mr Bell said.

The Sunshark team finished day one of the World Solar Challenge race in seventh position. The crew travelled 560 kilometres at an average speed of 67 kilometres an hour finishing about 10 kilometres north of Daly Waters.

Mr Bell said overcast conditions and a thick haze from local bushfires slowed the field during the day.

For further information contact Darren Bell on 0145/199 360

Web posted: 1330 Monday 18 October 1999

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