More than 40 teams from 23 countries confirmed for Australia’s famous sun-powered car race
One of the biggest and most geographically and culturally diverse fields in the history of Australia’s iconic solar-powered car race has been announced for the 2023 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC).
South Australian deputy premier Susan Close yesterday confirmed 43 teams from 23 countries for the 2023 event, which will kick off in Darwin on October 22 and finish in Adelaide on October 29 after covering more than 3000km.
When the field faces the starter on the event’s traditional Sunday opening day, it will be the first time in four years that international teams will take on the solar race due to the COVID pandemic.
Speaking at the official launch yesterday in Adelaide, Close said the 2023 event would celebrate “the return of the world’s greatest innovation and engineering challenge” alongside industry, entrepreneurs and advocates for a more sustainable future.
Kicking off our Teams Announcement for the 2023 event @LotFourteen!
It was fantastic to be joined by South Australia Deputy Premier, Hon. Susan Close and Heath Barclay, Managing Director Bridgestone ANZ.
The countdown is on to October!
Read More: https://t.co/LV5qqMsxXZ pic.twitter.com/7uKWI3Eyx9
— Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (@WorldSolarChlg) June 5, 2023
“This wonderful event enhances South Australia’s reputation as a significant player in high-tech industries, demonstrated by our commitment to defence, space, and renewable energy,” she said.
“The BWSC augments skill sets and talent pathways for next generation innovators. It provides a unique platform to connect and engage industry, build our workforce, and attract future talent.
“It aligns with our future focus towards advanced manufacturing and by hosting the event we highlight the importance of these industries.
“This incredible field of more than 1200 participants, including some of the brightest minds from the world’s leading universities, along with industry partners, supporters, and media, will travel from as far as North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Oceania.
“It signifies the esteem this event commands worldwide and the global focus on accelerating climate change solutions by encouraging STEM skills and next-gen ideation.”
Event director Chris Selwood said the quest for efficiency never ends, making the BWSC even more relevant today than when first run in 1987, as consumers increasingly look to more sustainable options to petrol-powered cars and governments develop renewable energy solutions.
“This year we will welcome first time countries of Estonia and Romania, international ‘top guns’, new and emerging teams and a strong homegrown contingent, with eight Australian teams to fly the Aussie flag,” said Selwood.
South Australia will be represented by ‘F.A.S.T’ from Flinders University, ‘AUSRT’ from the University of Adelaide and new composite student, teacher and industry team, the South Australian Solar Vehicle Association.
They will be joined by new Victorian team ASCEND from Deakin University, the ANU team from Canberra, Queensland’s Clenergy Team Arrow, Sunswift from the University of NSW and the Western Sydney Solar Team from Western Sydney University.
“I expect the Challenger Class to be a closely contested battle, as 32 high-tech, aerodynamic speed machines, from 18 countries, attempt to outpace Belgian champions Innoptus Solar Team, whose consistency put an end to Dutch dominance in 2019,” added Selwood.
“The three Dutch teams, Brunel Solar Team, Team Twente and Top Dutch, are fiercely competitive, as are past champions, Japan’s Team Tokai, and American Solar Champions University of Michigan. Then there’s the Swiss, Swedish, Australian and German teams – anything can happen over 3000km.
“But the point of this challenge has always been to bring sustainable mobility to market. This year our Cruiser Class of solar electric vehicles charged with taking the green to the mainstream, has 11 teams from nine countries.
“The Cruiser’s end goal is to deliver a practical, energy efficient, marketable solar electric car. They must travel more than 1000km before external charging, making check points within time-windows by managing their energy consumption down to the minute. Final judging will occur in Adelaide.
“The value of this event extends well beyond solar cars and the 3000km they travel. The value lies in its people and the lessons they learn. Our alumni are a cohort of high achieving changemakers, from global highflyers to garage start-ups. I can’t wait to see what they’ll challenge us with this year.”
Visit the BWSC website to see the full list of teams, classes and regulations for 2023.
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Keyword: 2023 World Solar Challenge teams announced