World record falls in Solar Challenge

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Friday October 24, 2003

The Dutch Nuon Solar Team has broken its World Solar Challenge record by driving a solar powered car from Darwin to Adelaide at an average speed of 97 kmh. Nuna II reached the finish line at Angle Vale, Adelaide at 3.24pm on Thursday afternoon, setting a new record time for the 3010 kilometre journey that has been officially confirmed at 30 hours and 54 minutes, one hour and 34 minutes quicker than the previous mark.

Built at the Technical University in Delft, Nuna II has a new shape and improved aerodynamics over the team's 2001 winning car. The esitmated average speed of estimated at 97 kph compares with 91.8 kph in the 2001 event.

Victoria's Aurora reached the Angle Vale finishing line at 5.07pm, bettering its own record by 46 minutes. Aurora must now complete the 40-minute journey to Victoria Square in the morning under its own power and is expected to arrive about 8.40 am.

The American MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) team finished third behind Aurora, followed by the team from Queens University.

For further information visit www.wsc.org.au and www.greenfleet.com.au