Bridgestone World Solar Challenge Update

The 2015 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge is underway, with 45 teams currently making the gruelling 3000km journey from Darwin to Adelaide.

As the vehicles travel towards the South Australian capital, the battle for top spot has intensified and two Dutch teams, Twente and Nuon Solar, have emerged as the frontrunners.

At the end of day two, Twente finished ahead of their compatriots (and 2013 winners) Nuon Solar. The University of Michigan finished the day in third place, followed by Germany’s Punch Powertrain who took advantage of a time penalty incurred by Japan's Tokai University team.

Tokai University is running on Bridgestone’s specially-designed Ecopia tyres with ologic technology – tyres featuring a large diameter and narrow tread pattern that delivers ultra- low rolling resistance and improves aerodynamics. In addition to being the title sponsor for this year's event, Bridgestone is supplying tyres to almost half of the participating teams.

Kogakuin University, another team running on Bridgestone Ecopia with ologic technology tryes, is currently sitting third in the cruiser class behind Ardingly Solar and Solar Team Eindhoven.

The cars competing in the 2015 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge fall into three classes – challenger, adventure and cruiser – and must pass seven mandatory check points through the harsh and unforgiving Australian outback.

The biennial event encourages and promotes investment and innovation in sustainable technology and is a natural extension of Bridgestone’s global commitment to the environment.

Vehicles will start making their way across the finish line in Adelaide later this week.