Chasing the sun: the World Solar Challenge 2019 – in pictures

The World Solar Challenge, celebrated biennially since 1987, saw teams from around the world set off from Darwin on a 3,000km race to Adelaide by solar-powered car. Belgian team Agoria took first place this year after Dutch rivals Vattenfall caught fire 250km from the finish line

Main image: The Top Dutch Solar Racing team car, Green Lightning, competes in the challenger class on day two of the 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge at Devils Marbles, Northern Territory. Photograph: Mark Evans/Getty Images for SATC

  • Competitors and their cars at Hidden Valley Motorsport Complex in Darwin before the 2019 World Solar Challenge.
    Competitors and their cars at Hidden Valley Motorsport Complex in Darwin before the 2019 World Solar Challenge

  • The driver of the Team Arrow car, Arrow 1, from Australia as he competes in the adventure class on day six at Port Augusta.
    The driver of the Team Arrow car, Arrow 1, from Australia as he competes in the adventure class on day six at Port Augusta

  • The IVE Engineering Solar Car Team car, Sophie 6s, from Hong Kong drives over a cattle grid as it competes in the cruiser class in Alice Springs.
    The IVE Engineering Solar Car Team car Sophie 6s from Hong Kong drives over a cattle grid as it competes in the cruiser class in Alice Springs

  • A driver of the University of Minnesota solar vehicle project car, Eos II, from the US arrives at the Barrow Creek control stop as it competes in the cruiser class on day three.
    A driver of the University of Minnesota solar vehicle project car, Eos II, from the US arrives at the Barrow Creek control stop as it competes in the cruiser class on day three

  • Solar Team Twente’s driver Hidde De Vries of The Netherlands in RED E at the starting line in Darwin.
    Solar Team Twente’s driver Hidde De Vries of The Netherlands in RED E at the starting line in Darwin

  • Belgium’s Agoria Solar Team drive their solar car, Bluepoint, in Dunmarra.
    Belgium’s Agoria Solar Team drive their solar car, Bluepoint, in Dunmarra

  • ThyssenKrupp Sunriser, built by team Bochum of Germany, competes in the cruiser class on day five at Coober Pedy.
    ThyssenKrupp Sunriser, built by team Bochum of Germany, competes in the cruiser class on day five at Coober Pedy.

  • Team members change a tyre on the Sunswift car, Violet, from Australia as it competes in the cruiser class near Stuarts Well Roadhouse in Alice Springs.
    Team members change a tyre on the Sunswift car Violet from Australia as it competes in the cruiser class near Stuarts Well Roadhouse in Alice Springs

  • The Vattenfall Solar Team car, Nuna, from the Netherlands competes in the challenger class on day two.
    The Vattenfall Solar Team car, Nuna, from the Netherlands competes in the challenger class on day two

  • The Ardingly College Solar car, Ardingly Solar, from the UK competes in the adventure class in Coober Pedy.
    The Ardingly College Solar car, Ardingly Solar, from the UK competes in the adventure class in Coober Pedy

  • The Vattenfall Solar Team reacts to the NunaX solar car catching fire less than 250km from the finish line on the final day.
    The Vattenfall Solar Team reacts to the NunaX solar car catching fire less than 250km from the finish line on the final day

  • Belgium’s Agoria Solar Team drive their solar car, Bluepoint, in Coober Pedy on day four.
    Belgium’s Agoria Solar Team drive their solar car, Bluepoint, in Coober Pedy on day four

  • Members from Agoria Solar Team from Belgium celebrate after winning on day five at Victoria Square in Adelaide.
    Members from Agoria Solar Team from Belgium celebrate after winning on day five at Victoria Square in Adelaide

  • Belgium’s Solar Car Agoria team members celebrate at the finish line of the 2019 World Solar Challenge at Victoria Square in Adelaide.
    Belgium’s Solar Car Agoria team members celebrate at the finish line of the 2019 World Solar Challenge at Victoria Square in Adelaide
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