TOKYO—Bridgestone Corp. will be the title sponsor of the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2015, a cross-country race for solar-powered vehicles scheduled for Oct. 18-25 in Australia.
Bridgestone Corp. said, based on a long-term commitment to new forms of motor sports that advance environmental technologies for automotive society and expand numbers of car enthusiasts, the Tokyo-based tire maker “will continue to add to its activities around the world, with a special focus on environmental issues.”
As part of these activities, Bridgestone has chosen once again to support the competition—which promotes the development of environmental technologies for solar-powered cars—that was last staged in 2013.
The event will be the 13th running of the solar challenge race since it was founded in 1987, Bridgestone said. In 2013, 38 teams, including many university students, from 22 countries competed in a 1,184-mile cross-country race using only solar energy to power the vehicles. The competition features three classes: Adventure Class, Cruiser Class and Challenger Class, which will compete for the title of the world's most efficient solar car.
Through the WSC, Bridgestone said it seeks to promote its innovative “ECOPIA with ologic” environmental technology; contribute to society through environmental initiatives; help achieve a sustainable society; and support the young engineers from around the world participating in the WSC in their efforts to forge the future.
The race starts in Darwin and finishes in Adelaide, Australia.
The race classes will be:
1. Challenger Class: Four wheels/one driver; Cars designed to achieve aerodynamic efficiency
2. Cruiser Class: Four wheels/one driver and one or more passengers; Cars designed for practicality
3. Adventure Class: Three wheels/one driver; Cars built for previous events.