Image: Formula SAE-A
South Australia is preparing for a major coup on the global motorsport and engineering stage, with the prestigious Formula SAE-A set to race into the state for the next five years.
In an exciting announcement by the State Government, the internationally recognised student engineering competition will relocate to South Australia from December 2026. The event will be hosted at The Bend, marking a huge switch-up after nearly 27 years in Victoria.
Bringing together more than 1,200 engineering students from across Australia, Asia and the Middle East, Formula SAE-A challenges university teams to design, build and race a Formula-style car from scratch. Over four days each December, students test their innovations in a real-world environment, gaining invaluable industry experience while competing for top honours.
The event is expected to deliver a substantial $22.6 million boost to South Australia’s economy over five years, drawing interstate and international visitors while shining a spotlight on the state’s growing reputation as a spot for innovation, education and world-class events.
“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,” shared Minister for State Development Chris Picton described securing the competition as a major win for South Australia. “
The competition attracts participants from a wide range of disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, mechatronics, robotics, computer technology and artificial intelligence. Teams from Adelaide University and Flinders University are regular contenders, highlighting the state’s strong academic pipeline and commitment to nurturing future engineers.
The event will feature a large-scale employment exhibition, with industry leaders such as Caterpillar, Ford Australia, Toyota Australia, Tesla Energy and the Australian Defence Force showcasing career opportunities to young talent.
President of SAE-A Martha Oplopiadis shared, “Formula SAE-A is the most effective applied engineering education program in Australasia. Students experience engineering not as an abstract discipline, but as a real-world professional. For many students, Formula SAE-A represents the first time their work is assessed by practicing engineers rather than academics alone.”
Building on major events like the Adelaide Motorsport Festival and the return of the BP Adelaide Grand Final, the addition of Formula SAE-A further makes South Australia a powerhouse location for motorsport and innovation.
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