Sun-powered event attracts large crowd
HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.
The spectacular race - which sees competitors from all over the world take on the 3000km trip from Darwin to Adelaide in fancy high-tech solar cars - had left Darwin in the early hours of Sunday morning, and - powered through photovoltaic cells and lots of sun light - the first futuristic vehicles rolled into their checkpoint only a few hours after being flagged off.
The Katherine Rotary Club handed out hundreds of drinks and sausages, and - with TIO donating $2 for every item sold - raised money for the Philippa Walters Bursary Award.
While technical issues left several cars stranded before even reaching Katherine, the fastest competitors are expected to arrive in Adelaide this week.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.

HUNDREDS of sun-lovers gathered at the Katherine weighbridge on Sunday to welcome participants in the World Solar Challenge at their first checkpoint.