10 October 2019, Malaysia – The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, one of the world’s most well- known solar car events returns in 2019, bringing together teams from all around the globe to challenge electric vehicle standards.

Bridgestone Tyre Malaysia showed their support as sponsor by giving a warm send-off to the sole Malaysian participant, Eco Photon Solar Racing Team from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), who will be representing the nation for the third time. To further encourage their commitment towards the event, Bridgestone sponsored “ECOPIA with ologic” tyres from vehicle testing to the race.

“We are proud and honoured to support UiTM’s Eco Photon Solar Racing Team to the leading event. The “ECOPIA with ologic” is tyre engineered with Bridgestone fuel saving technology which is designed specifically for solar cars. The tyre comes with a wider diameter which limits changes in the shape of the contact patch to yield lower rolling resistance, thus improves fuel efficiency. As we continue to design and develop high-performing tyres for such innovative top-level series, Bridgestone also aims to reduce environmental impact via our fuel-saving product,” said Michael Chung, Managing Director of Bridgestone Tyre Malaysia.

The third generation Eco Photon Solar Racing Team will be heading on a 3000 kilometre journey from Darwin to Adelaide from 13 to 20 October 2019 with Tigris, the official name chosen for their solar car. The highly optimized carbon fibre solar car which comprises of an upgraded self-built monitoring system with high accuracy measurements and robust safety system to prevent any electrical shortage is all set to compete in the Challenger class, one of the three classes in the challenge.

“With all the improvements from previous car and the new technology implemented, we aim to be on the top 5 in the Challenger class. We are also eyeing for the 'Best Creative and Multimedia' award as well as 'Best Safety Prioritized' award.”, said Syazwan, the team’s President.

Firmly rooted in the core values of Bridgestone’s global corporate social responsibility 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 a new power source: solar light.

“ECOPIA with Ologic” solar car tyres

Michael Chung (Right in the picture), Managing Director of Bridgestone Tyre Sales (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. received token of appreciation from UiTM Eco Photon Solar Racing Team during the launch of Tigris.

Teams to be supplied with tyres by Bridgestone:

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

Overview of BWSC:

Official Name: 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge

Date: October 13-20, 2019

Host Country: Australia (Start: Darwin; Goal: Adelaide)

Host: South Australian Tourism Commission

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.

Global CSR Commitment

“Understanding that Serving Society with Superior Quality is our heritage and our mission, and embracing our responsibility to future generations as a global leader in our industries, Bridgestone and its teammates around the world employ innovation and technology to improve the way people move, live, work and play.”