Solar Stars Ready To Shine
It’s the hottest competition in the world, and it’s about to light up the bitumen all the way from Darwin to Adelaide.
When the 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge kicks off in Darwin’s State Square today it will see 43 teams from 23 countries start the long 3000 km trek south, through the middle of Australia.
This year marks the 15th north-south crossing, as the teams of the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge bring the world’s foremost innovation challenge to life - vying to become the first to deliver sustainable solar-powered electric vehicles.
Around 1,500 participants compete followed by a global audience of more than 25 million. It generates industry partnerships across energy, automotive, engineering, financial, material sciences and IT sectors.
Event organiser, the South Australian Tourism Commission, (SATC) in association with the Northern Territory Government, says the event highlights the pinnacle innovation, technology and human endeavour.
Minister for Tourism, Investment and Trade, David Ridgway said this year’s event had attracted some of the world’s brightest young minds, each seeking a breakthrough in the hotly contested solar car marketplace.
“Each year the concepts become more real, the designs more innovative and the reality a step closer,” he said.
“We are very proud to have eight Australian teams competing this year, including one Team ATN, a consortium of five Australian universities, which is making its debut this year,” he said.
“On the other end of the scale, we have the veterans - TAFE South Australia and UNSW – who have been involved for a decade.
“Locally it is great to see Adelaide University, Flinders University and TAFE South Australia being so heavily involved, each entering cars and really putting SA right up there among the most innovative and enterprising thinkers going around.”
The Bridgestone Corporation has continued its ongoing support as event sponsor for 2019.
“Bridgestone have been a valuable partner of the World Solar Challenge and the State Government is delighted to see this association continue into its sixth year,” he said.
“This is truly a global event which regularly generated millions in revenue for South Australia, while at the same time giving us major international exposure and showcasing our state,” he said.
For further information visit: www.worldsolarchallenge.org