A team from Western Sydney University has won the American Solar Challenge, making them the first international team to win the 2,800 kilometre race.

The race took place over nine days with the route running across four states, from Nebraska to Oregon.

In their vehicle, UNLIMITED 2.0, the Western Sydney University (WSU) Solar Car team took out first place with a time of 37 hours and 55 minutes to travel more than 2,800 kilometres — 16 minutes faster than the second place team from the University of Michigan.

WSU team manager Saamiul Bashar said the team of 14 was feeling a "mix between disbelief and ecstasy".

"It seemed a bit out of reach given the resources some of these other teams have, we put our best minds to it, we put in our very best effort," he said.

"The main team we were competing against — the University of Michigan — they have factory support from Ford [and] General Motors, because they're very close to the Detroit headquarters of both companies."

The team raced each day from 9am — 6pm in the solar vehicle. ( Supplied: Western Sydney University )

This was only the second race for UNLIMITED 2.0, which has a carbon fibre chassis and only weighs about 160 kilograms.

"We've gotten a u-haul moving truck and whenever we're done with the car for the day we just lift it up and put it in the back of the truck by hand. It's designed to be extremely light," Mr Bashar said.

'Neck and neck the whole way'

To qualify for the American Solar Challenge, the team raced in the Formula Sun Grand Prix, a three day track race in Hastings, Nebraska.

While that course was challenging, Mr Bashar said it was the American Solar Challenge — a cross-country endurance event — that really put them to the test.

"[There was] some very, very mountainous terrain, it was a very difficult challenge for us given that we're used to racing in Australia, which is generally very flat and you just set the cruise control," he said.

"It was essentially through mountain passes.

"The entire time we've just been so close to the other competitors ... we've extended the gap out in the last few days [but] it's just been neck and neck the whole way through."

The Western Sydney team only lost one stage of the race to the University of Michigan, due to a flat tyre and electrical issues. ( Supplied: Western Sydney University )

They recently raced in the 3,000 kilometre Bridgestone World Solar Challenge from Darwin to Adelaide.

Mr Bashar said it means a lot for the reputation of Australia and Western Sydney University to be home to the first international team to win the challenge.

He said the team, made up of engineering, industrial design and visual communications students, will be getting some well-deserved sleep to celebrate their win after months of 100—120 hour weeks for the team working on the car.

"We've just been working tirelessly," he said.