Bridgestone Corporation has announced its continued support and renewal as the title sponsor of the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC).

The agreement, with the South Australian Tourism Commission, who hosts the BWSC, and has been extended for 10 years until 2030.

The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge is the world's foremost solar car event. Participants are challenged to design and build some of the world's most energy efficient vehicles in order to travel from Darwin to Adelaide – a total of 3,000km (1,860 miles). In 2019, a record 44 teams, from 21 countries took part.

The event features two main categories: The Challenger Class and Cruiser Class. The Challenger Class uses only the sun for power and vies for outright victory, while the Cruiser Class brings green technology to the mainstream and can charge from the grid on two occasions – highlighting the relevance to electric passenger vehicle development.

The landmark partnership was announced last night at the 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge Awards in Adelaide, Australia, by Masaaki Tsuya, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Representative Executive Officer, Bridgestone Corporation.

"It is our great pleasure working with so many Talented, Creative and Inspiring teams and individuals, who stand ready to develop the next generation of mobility solution. Bridgestone just signed a ten-year extension of sponsorship agreement today. For another decade, we will continue our journey of "Dream Bigger" and "Go Farther".

"Let's keep on dreaming bigger, going farther and developing next mobility solution for our own future." said Masaaki Tsuya, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Representative Executive Officer, Bridgestone Corporation.

South Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, David Ridgway, welcomed the long-term investment, thanking Bridgestone, as a global industry leader, for its environmental leadership and embracing its responsibility to future generations.

"A partnership like this, not only secures the future of the world's largest, most respected solar challenge, it also provides a proving ground for renewable technology and sustainable innovation, both here in South Australia and around the world. The BWSC delivers millions of dollars into Australia's visitor economy, with the 2017 event injecting more than $11.9 million and the equivalent of 102 full-time jobs," said Minister Ridgway.

Event Director, Chris Selwood AM, said in the event's 32-year history, it has never had such a solid foundation to build on.

"It is incredibly exciting, as the world debates climate change and the best way forward, to know the BWSC can continue to be a catalyst for sustainable change in the way we will choose to travel in the future." Said Mr Selwood.