The world's most advanced solar cars on Saturday (October 5) prepared to compete in this years Bridgestone World Solar Challenge that starts on Sunday (October 6) in the Australian city of Darwin.

Solar cars from all over the world will be participating in the biennial 3000 kilometre (1864 miles) race from Darwin to Adelaide.

The CEO of South Australian Motor Sports Board, Mark Warren, said the atmosphere between competitors was great.

"The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge this year has been fantastic, with the camaraderie between the teams, it feels like an Olympic village in terms of the rivalry between nations, but it's friendly rivalry. And I think particularly when you look at some of the innovations that are happening in the vehicles this year, they really embraced the new regulations. And when we come through scrutineering here today, we're finding out all the little details we weren't expecting. So, it's going to be a fantastic event," Warren said.

The Australian "Team Arrow" from the state of Queensland managed to secure the pole position.

Based on the original notion that a 1000 watt car would complete the trip from Darwin to Adelaide in 50 hours, solar cars are permitted a nominal five kilowatt hours of stored energy, which is ten percent of that theoretical figure. The remaining energy must come from the sun or be recovered from the kinetic energy of the vehicle, the organisers stated.

40 teams from 23 countries will commence the race on Sunday, most of them hoping to beat Japan's "Team Tokai", the winner of the 2009 and 2011.

Presented by Adam Justice