Tailem Bend steals a motor race from Victoria
A Formula SAE-A championship will be held at the Bend Motorsport Park for the next five years, SA’s state government has announced.
It might not be the Moto GP, but Tailem Bend has still managed to steal a motor race from Victoria this week.
Student racing challenge Formula SAE-A will be staged at the Bend Motorsport Park for the next five years, State Development Minister Chris Picton announced on Thursday morning.
The first race will be held in December and is expected to inject $22.6 million into South Australia’s economy.
Formula SAE-A brings together more than 1200 engineering students not just from around Australia, but also Asia and the Middle East, every year.
Teams from Adelaide University and Flinders University are among those which compete.
Each team designs and tests its own car, then they all race against each other during the four-day event.
Leading employers in the automotive industry and related fields also use the event as a recruitment opportunity.
“Securing Formula SAE-A is a big win for our state and a strong vote of confidence in South Australia’s growing opportunities in the engineering sector,” Mr Picton said.
“As a state, we want to encourage as many girls and boys (as possible) to take up a career in STEM, and Formula SAE-A provides real experience (for them).”
The Bend’s CEO, Alistair MacDonald, said the win cemented the venue’s reputation as a premier motor sport destination.
“This will be a boost for the region and our economy in the Murray and Coorong,” he said.
“We are thrilled we were able to work with Business Events Adelaide and Formula SAE-A to procure this opportunity for the state.”
The Bend had also been touted as a possible destination for Australia’s round of international motorcycle racing earlier this year, taking over from Phillip Island in Victoria.
That race was eventually announced to be heading to Adelaide.
- More information: www.saea.com.au/formula-sae-a.
