June 18, 1999- Qualifiers Team elects to run without solar power for few laps and attempt to repair trackers. Since electronic telemetry is inoperable, driver communicates battery pack level via HAM radio in car. Vehicle charges for few hours, then gets back on the track. Numerous laps performed, but both battery level and time are getting short. Team elects to pull off track to charge, since battery level is so low.
Car gets back on track, but time extremely short.
Radio contact lost with driver, presumably due to dead battery pack. Since fewer cars are on track, it becomes extremely difficult to follow other cars and driver has to estimate lap speeds himself. Lap speeds become dangerously close to laps that don't count, and messages to driver are delivered by team members screaming and holding up signs on the track. With about 10 minutes remaining, car does not complete the lap. Team members sprint out to vehicle and change tire.