South Australia is set to become the new home of a major student engineering competition, with the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers - Australasia (SAE-A) arriving in the state from December 2026.
To be held at Shell V-Power Motorsport Park at The Bend, the event will bring more than 1200 engineering students from across Australia, Asia and the Middle East together for a four-day showcase of innovation, design and performance.
Students from various engineering disciplines such as mechanical, electrical, mechatronics and computer technology will design, build and test a Formula-style race car from the ground up.
Teams from University of Adelaide and Flinders University will compete in the engineering challenge, showcasing South Australia’s homegrown talent.
SAE-A President Martha Oplopiadis said the program offered a uniquely practical learning experience.
"Formula SAE-A is the most effective applied engineering education program in Australasia," she said.
"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."
Formula SAE-A is expected to deliver $22.6 million to the South Australian economy over five years and will be the largest regional event attracting interstate and international visitors.
Its location at The Bend will also deliver strong benefits to regional communities, particularly in the Murray and Coorong area, with visitors staying locally and contributing to tourism and hospitality sectors.
The Bend CEO Alistair MacDonald said the event would further strengthen the venue’s national reputation.
"The Bend continues to attract investment and events into this state and the addition of Formula SAE-A to our calendar will certainly cement our facility as the premier motorsport venue and a destination for investment across the country," Mr MacDonald said.
The event includes a large employment exhibition involving leading businesses, such as Caterpillar, Ford Australia and ADF Careers, pitching employment opportunities to the participating university students.
Formula SAE-A was held in Victoria for almost 27 years, with one appearance in 2003 at the Mitsubishi Proving Ground.
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