Photos: Solar racers gain speed Down Under

At around 5 p.m. Friday (local time), the Nuon Solar Team's Nuna4 crossed the finish line and claimed its fourth first-place win in the biennial race. Nuna4 transited the Australian continent over the course of four days at an average speed of about 56 mph. This was the only car to finish Friday.

Here, the driver is greeted by an enthusiastic group that showered the car--and each other--in champagne.

Photo by Panasonic World Solar Challenge