Queensland's Clenergy TeamArrow is the first Australian team to cross the finish line after completing the gruelling 3,000 km Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.
The team, which includes seven current QUT students and seven alumni, relied on the power of the sun to cover the Darwin to Adelaide route in about 40 hours, finishing 8th overall.
Their $250,000 solar car, which runs on less power than a toaster, was again the quickest to finish from an Australian team, an accolade retained from the 2013 Challenge.
The Challenge, which tasked 46 teams from 25 countries with completing the journey while showcasing the latest advances in solar technology, was won by the Dutch team Nuon.
QUT Mechatronics Engineering graduate and one of the Clenergy TeamArrow drivers, Amy Gunnell, said the team was relieved to reach the finish line.
"Everybody is just excited to be finished and we're all looking forward to a shower and a bit of a break!" she said.
"We hit a bit of a snag and had to do some running repairs about 24 km out of Adelaide but overall the car performed really well.
"We're delighted to again be the fastest Australian team because there was a lot of heavy competition in the top 10 this year. It's been a hard slog but we're so proud of the effort and dedication of the team."
The team, which has sponsors including QUT, Integral Technology and Clenergy International, is in Adelaide until the trophy presentation on Sunday (OCTOBER 25) evening.
See footage of the car in action
Media contact:
Rob Kidd, QUT Media, 07 3138 1841, rj.kidd@qut.edu.au
After hours, Rose Trapnell, 0407 585 901
