University of Michigan solar car team race crew member Ethan Lardner works on Quantum during a control stop on a practice race in Australia.

University of Michigan photo

The University of Michigan solar car team captured third place in the World Solar Challenge in Australia today with its entry Quantum.

U-M finished the race in 35 hours and 33 minutes, less than three hours behind the winning team from Japan. A team from the Netherlands came in second.

The team from U-M's engineering school had to contend with a brush fire, dust storms and stubborn cloud cover to complete the race.

Get the full results on the World Solar Challenge website. Read more about the U-M team and see photos on its website.

Watch a video with footage of the solar car on the road and the team's post-race reaction below.