SunShark wins demanding SunRace

The University of Queensland solar car, SunShark, has blitzed the field to win the 1790km Whirlpool SunRace from Sydney to Melbourne despite finishing the race with half its usual battery power.

Team manager Alana Maher said SunShark led the field of nine solar powered and four electric vehicles by more than two hours in the 230km final race leg from Bendigo to Melbourne on February 19.

At times, the only thing hindering the vehicle which can reach speeds of up to 120km/h, was the speed limit.

"With one day to go before end of the race, we blew our nicad battery pack in the hot weather through overheating, and we went from having the biggest array to the smallest battery pack in the field," Ms Maher said.

"Nevertheless, the team pulled together and we were able to complete the 1790km race in a time of 19 hours and 15 minutes, well ahead of the rest of the field and with the best overall aggregate time."

Composite engineer Philip Moncrieff steered the UQ team to its first victory in the SunRace, the annual six day open road event which travels inland through some of Australia's harshest outback country and busiest regional cities.

Northern Territory University's Desert Rose took second place with an aggregate time of 19 hours and 15 minutes, and last year's winner, Lake Tuggeranong College's Spirit of Canberra finished third in 21 hours and 52 minutes.

SunShark members were presented with a $25,000 glass trophy which they will keep until next year's SunRace. Before leaving Melbourne, they briefed 50 Holden engineers on current and future solar automotive technologies.

Ms Maher said SunShark team members had now set their sights on one of the world's most gruelling races, the Transcontinental, a 4000km journey from Perth to Sydney in November. SunShark will be one of the world's top 15 solar vehicles competing in the event.

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