Darwin, Australia -RIJ- According to Honda FAX release, the 1996 World Solar Challenge started from Darwin at 8:00AM Sunday (October 27.) Pole winner Honda Dream led the race from start until stop time (17:00PM.) Honda Dream run 774 km on first day, 28 km longer than 1993 record by old Honda Dream. Its average speed was 92 km/h. Honda team camped at 43 km south from Elliot in Northern Territory.

When solar cars started in Darwin, there were many traffics and little clouds in sky. But Honda Dream has been running well after team left Darwin.

"Our car has no problem. After we left traffic jams in Darwin, we could run by 95 - 100 km/h," said Honda R&D Team's Project Leader Masashi Kitagawa. "While the first day's running, driver asked to check tires. So we stopped once, excluding two regular Media Stops. Tire was OK and runing well until 17:00PM, stop time in first day. We could arrive at camping spot where we planned."

Schooler team from Switzerland was second (- 64 km from Honda), followed by Japanese Aishin Seiki team (- 108 km from Honda) on first day.