The University of Queensland's solar car, SunShark, had a "dream run" in day four of the 1790km CitiPower SunRace from Sydney to Melbourne, finishing the longest leg of the race in first place.
SunShark averaged a speed of 100km/h in the 290km section from Hay to Mildura to finish three minutes ahead of Northern Territory University's Desert Rose. SunShark maintains a lead of about 30 minutes overall.
Team manager Alana Maher said SunShark also became one of three solar vehicles to break the world record for average speed in the ?Hay 100', a 100km stretch on the Hay Plains.
"The previous record was an average speed of 101km/h, held by Aurora 101. Today we were one of three teams to break that record by achieving an average 103km/h in that stretch," Ms Maher said.
"The new world record is held by Northern Territory University's Desert Rose, which achieved 108km per hour. A minor electrical problem prevented SunShark from beating that speed. It was rectified after the Hay 100, but it meant we were unable to achieve the 110km/h we had hoped for." (SunShark's maximum speed capability is 120km/h.)
SunShark took first place in the first race leg from Sydney to Canberra on Sunday and finished first again in the second race leg from Canberra to Wagga Wagga on Monday, and finished second in the third race leg from Wagga Wagga to Hay on Tuesday.
Ms Maher said the team had high hopes for the next leg of the race, from Mildura to Swan Hill.
"As we come closer to Melbourne we expect more overcast weather, which will probably suit us and enable us to stretch our lead," she said. "This could definitely be our year."
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.
This week's race legs are as follows: February 17 - Mildura to Swan Hill via Ouyen and Managatang; 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).
