Bridgestone Australia & New Zealand has thrown its support behind all eight Australian teams taking part in the 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, as part of Bridgestone Corporation's supply to 32 teams around the world.

A record 54 teams from 24 countries have entered the 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, with eight local teams taking part in the 3,000 endurance engineering event: Western Sydney Solar Car Team, University NSW Sunswift, Team Arrow (QUT), Flinders University, Adelaide University, Australian National University, Australian Technology Network (comprised of five universities) and TAFE South Australia.

This year, all Australian based teams will utilise Ecopia tyres provided by Bridgestone Australia as an extension of the leading tyre company's global event partnership.

"We're excited to have every Australian team on Bridgestone tyres for the 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge," said Bridgestone Australia & New Zealand Managing Director, Stephen Roche.

"The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge plays a role in fostering the talent of tomorrow's engineers, and as we see hybrid technology and fully electric vehicles becoming more and more prevalent, the event is only increasing in its importance and relevance to the industry.
Through our support, on a global and local level, Bridgestone is proud to contribute to the development of mobility solutions for the future."

The 'Ecopia with ologic' supplied to competing teams are energy-efficient tires designed specifically for solar cars using Bridgestone's low rolling resistance Ecopia compound. Tyres using ologic technology are narrower than standard tires with a wider diameter, making for a shape that realizes higher levels of efficiency and safety. The wider diameter limits changes in the shape of the contact patch to yield lower rolling resistance, which improves fuel efficiency. In addition, the narrower shape reduces air resistance while driving. "ECOPIA with ologic" solar car tires

This event partnership seamlessly aligns with the three priority areas of Bridgestone's global corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitment, Our Way to Serve: mobility, people and environment. The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge embodies that philosophy with their purpose to contribute to the development of solar cars, support young engineers, and contribute to the environment while using the sun as a power source.

The 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge starts from Darwin on Sunday, 13 October, with the lead cars expected at the finish line in Adelaide as early as the afternoon on Wednesday, 16 October.

Teams to be supplied with tires by Bridgestone (as of September 27, 2019):

*Note: No. represents the number that the team will adorn while competing in the 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.

Overview of BWSC:
1. Official Name: 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge
2. Date: October 13-20, 2019
3. Host Country: Australia (Start: Darwin; Goal: Adelaide)
4. Host: South Australian Tourism Commission
5. Race Classes
(1) Challenger Class
A race to reach the goal the quickest in vehicles designed for speed; vehicles require four wheels and one driver.
(2) Cruiser Class
A race testing vehicles' energy efficiency and practicality; vehicles must have four wheels and be able to be ridden by one driver and more than one passenger.
(3) Adventure Class
A race open to vehicles that are based on the criteria for participating in previous BWSC races or that otherwise do not meet the requirements to compete in the Challenger Class or Cruiser Class.

About Bridgestone Corporation:
Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. In addition to tires for use in a wide variety of applications, it also manufactures a broad range of diversified products, which include industrial rubber and chemical products and sporting goods. Its products are sold in over 150 nations and territories around the world.