Dutch team expected to claim honours in solar-powered race to Adelaide

The winner of the World Solar Challenge is expected to cross the finish line in Adelaide after a drama-packed day of the 3000-kilometre race from Darwin.

Dutch team Vattenfall is favoured to claim top honours at the event with its NunaX vehicle. Source: Twitter/vattenfallteam

Leading cars in the World Solar Challenge are closing in on the Adelaide finish line after a drama-packed 3,000-kilometre race from Darwin.

The winner is expected to reach the finish on Thursday, with Dutch team Vattenfall favoured to win the event with its car NunaX.

The Vattenfall Solar team is seen at the start line of the 2019 World Solar Challenge at State Square in Darwin. Source: AAP

The race leader being hotly pursued by Agoria from Belgium, with the Japanese crew from Tokai University in third spot.

All three teams spent their final night on the road camped close to Port Augusta, in SA's mid-north.

Vattenfall's likely victory will be bittersweet though after Solar Team Twente crashed out of the lead and on Wednesday.

The team's RED E car flipped north of Coober Pedy as strong winds battered the field.

The driver was unhurt but was taken to hospital for observation before being released.

The deteriorating weather conditions also claimed the German Sonnenwagen team when their car was damaged after it was forced off the road by wind gusts. Its driver was also unhurt.

The incidents prompted race officials to briefly impose an 80 km/h speed limit on all cars.