SunShark ahead in SunRace despite obstacles

The University of Queensland's solar car, SunShark, finished first in today's leg of the Sydney to Melbourne CitiPower SunRace, despite motor problems and a sleepless night for team members.

Team manager Alana Maher said SunShark averaged a speed of about 100km/h in the 236km stretch from Mildura to Swan Hill, to maintain its overall first place by about 40 minutes.

"We didn't go as fast as we would have liked because we had a few motor problems last night. Although the problems were fixed, they limited the amount of charging we could do and that slowed us down," she said.

"The repairs meant a sleepless night for most of the team."

Today's race saw the solar vehicles cross the Victorian border in fine, hot weather. Ms Maher said good conditions were expected for tomorrow's 210km run from Swan Hill to Bendigo - the second-last leg of the 1790km race.

Ms Maher said the SunShark team was confident of maintaining a substantial lead in the race. The University of New South Wales' Sunswift is in second place, with Northern Territory University's Desert Rose a very close third.

SunRace, the annual Australian solar car and electric vehicle challenge, is an open road event running from Sydney to Melbourne via Canberra and travelling inland to Mildura through some of Australian harshest outback country and busiest regional cities.

Now in its fourth year, SunRace aims to promote renewable energy to the widest possible audience and to encourage the development and use of practical everyday electric vehicles.

The remaining race legs are as follows: February 18 - Swan Hill to Bendigo via Cohuna and Rochester; February 19 - Bendigo to Albert Park via Heathcote and Wallan.

For more information, contact Alana Maher (telephone 0402 049 713).