21 October 1999

DAY FIVE - 1999 SOLAR CAR CHALLENGE 21/10/99

Sunshark maintains third position in the 1999 World Solar Challenge

The University of Queensland's Solar Racing vehicle 'Sunshark' has consolidated its grip on third place in the 1999 World Solar Challenge.

The 'Sunshark' team was tantalisingly close to the finishing line at the end of the days racing. The crew will camp along the roadside just 24 kilometres from Adelaide.

'Sunshark' team publicist Elana Maher said the strategy was to maintain a steady average speed for the whole day.

"We had a close race today with the Northern Territory University's 'Desert Rose," she said.

They passed early this morning but we were able to overtake them later in the day and we finshed about 30-40 kilometres ahead of them."

"Overcast conditions and some light showers slowed us down as we approached Adelaide but we were able to average about 75 kilometres an hour during the day."

Ms Maher said 'Sunshark' was expected to cross the finish line in Adelaide at about 8.30 on Friday morning, six days after they started in Darwin.

For more information contact Elana Maher on telephone 0145/199 360
or Ron Drynan in Brisbane on 0412/261 529

Released 2000 on 21/10/99