Wreck and ruin: WSC Day 3

After three sweltering days of racing through the Australian desert, the Dutch have gained the upper hand on arch-rival Japan in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge endurance race, extending their lead to around 17 minutes.

While the frontrunners continued their smooth progress, Goko high school's Kaito 11 'Cruiser' class solar car lost its rear wheels just outside of Alice Springs, leaving a trail of sparks in its wake, reminiscent of a big-budget action movie. No one was hurt, but it's unclear if the solar car is repairable.

About 100km north of Alice Springs the Istanbul Technical University team upped the excitement ante under the intense 40 degree sun, as the Turkish team's support vehicle caught fire. Luckily no one was hurt, but the team may have to withdraw from competition as the support vehicle was destroyed.

Meanwhile the race leaders have travelled almost 1800km in three days using only the power of the sun, with Dutch Nuon Solar Team striking camp on the side of the Stuart Highway about 70km shy of Coober Pedy. It puts them a solid 32km ahead of Japanese Team Tokai heading into the final two days of competition.

Nuon's Nuna 7 solar car looks likely to claim victory after playing second fiddle to defending champs Tokai in 2009 and 2011.

After a tough battle the previous day, which saw Tokai gain ground, it appears as though Nuon Solar Team has the better package, its Nuna 7 car cruising at 100km/h despite very strong cross winds, while the Tokai Challenger car was slightly slower.

Marlese Hak, Nuon Solar Team manager, was upbeat about maintaining the lead in the biennial 3000km race from Darwin to Adelaide.

"It was a very good day. No problems, no penalties and Tokai is still behind us. I think we can stay ahead. We are just faster than them," said Hak.

"If we can keep it like this then I think we'll be in the best possible position," she added.

Though Nuon Solar Team is not ready to declare victory just yet, the team was jubilant at the mandated 5:00pm commencement of racing, with smiles all round and even some dancing going on.

"If the weather is good and we have no problems we can win. But it's not over yet. Sometimes things happen. We could get a flat tyre or something," cautioned Hak.

"There was a small chance we could finish tomorrow but we have a control stop early in the day at Cooper Pedy so that will slow us down. Now we will probably finish on the fifth day, in the morning."

That means the front runners will most likely arrive in Adelaide on Thursday.

As the duel between Japan and Netherlands continues at the front of the pack, another Dutch team - Twente - maintains third place about 120km behind and looks likely to claim the final podium spot. In fourth place is Stanford University of the USA, while the Belgian Punch Powertrain team overtook Michigan University take snag fifth place in the 100 per cent solar 'Challenger' class.

The highest placed Aussie team in the premier Challenger class is Team Arrow in seventh spot, while Swiss team Solar Energy Racers is in eighth. Rounding out the top 10 is Blue Sky Solar team from Canada in ninth and Kogakuin University from Japan in tenth, the latter running Bridgestone's prototype Ecopia 'ologic' solar car tyres.

One of the most intriguing cars in the competition, the four-seater solar car of Dutch-based Team Eindhoven, managed speeds of up to 120km/h today despite its payload of four passengers. It holds first place in the 'Cruiser' class ahead of Australia's UNSW Sunswift team in second place.

World Solar Challenge 2013

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...

Don't forget to register to comment on this article.