News - 2017

Bridgestone supplies ECOPIA tires with ologic technology for 2017 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge

2017/06/05

Tokyo (June 5, 2017) - Bridgestone Corporation (Bridgestone) today announced the company will supply tires named “ECOPIA with ologic” to solar car teams participating in the 2017 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge listed in the table below. Bridgestone has supported the World Solar Challenge since 2013, supplying tires for the leading event and also serving as its title sponsor.

Bridgestone supplies tires to the teams below as of June 5, 2017.

Team Name	Entrant Name	Country
Adelaide University Solar Racing Team	Adelaide University	Australia
Apollo Solar Car Team	National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences & St.John’s University	Taiwan
Blue Sky Solar Racing	University of Toronto	Canada
Goko High School	Goko High School	Japan
Istanbul Technical University Solar Car Team (ITU SCT)	Istanbul Technical University	Turkey
Kogakuin University Solar Team	Kogakuin University	Japan
NITech Solar Racing	Nagoya Institute of Technology	Japan
Tokai University	Tokai University	Japan
University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project	University of Minnesota	United States
UNSW Solar Racing Team -SUNSWIFT	UNSW Engineering	Australia
Western Sydney University Solar Car Project	Western Sydney University	Australia

<“Ecopia with ologic” tires for solar car>

“Ecopia with ologic” is a highly fuel-efficient tire for solar cars designed with Bridgestone’s energy efficient tire technology, “ologic.” The large diameter of the tire reduces tire deformation and rolling resistance and aero-dynamic resistance is reduced due to its narrow tread width, which improves fuel efficiency of vehicles.

The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge is one of the world’s most well-known solar car events, and 2017 will mark the competition’s 30th anniversary. The race encompasses 3,000 kilometers on the Australian continent and will take place October 8-15, 2017.
　1. Date　　　　　:　October 8-15, 2017
　2. Host Country 　:　Australia (Start: Darwin; Goal: Adelaide)
　3. Host　　　　　:　South Australian Tourism Commission
　4. Race Classes 　:

(1)	Challenger Class
	A race to be first 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 do not meet the requirements to compete in the Challenger Class or Cruiser Class, such as cars based on the regulations of prior competitions.

About Bridgestone Corporation:
Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world’s largest tire and rubber company. In addition to tires for use in a wide variety of applications, it also manufactures a broad range of diversified products, which include industrial rubber and chemical products and sporting goods. Its products are sold in over 150 nations and territories around the world.