Tailem Bend is set to become a major hub for student engineering innovation, with Formula SAE-A relocating to The Bend for the next five years from December.
The Shell V-Power Motorsport Park will host the prestigious four-day automotive engineering challenge, bringing more than 1,200 university students from Australia, Asia and the Middle East to the Murraylands each year.
The competition sees student teams design, build and test Formula-style race cars from the ground up, combining real-world motorsport performance with hands-on STEM education.
After nearly 27 years based in Victoria, the move to South Australia marks a significant coup for the state and a major win for the Murray and Coorong region.
The event is expected to inject $22.6 million into the South Australian economy over five years, with local accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and tourism operators in and around Tailem Bend likely to benefit from the influx of visitors.
The Bend CEO Alistair MacDonald says the event will strengthen the venue’s standing as a national motorsport destination while delivering a strong economic boost to the region.
“Formula SAE‑A is a perfect fit for The Bend. It showcases innovation, advanced engineering and practical STEM education in a real motorsport environment, while delivering genuine economic and skills benefits to the Murraylands and beyond,” Alistair MacDonald said.
Formula SAE-A also includes a large employment expo, connecting students with major employers including Ford Australia, Toyota Australia, Tesla Energy and Caterpillar.
The annual December event is expected to further raise The Bend’s profile as both a motorsport venue and a centre for innovation, while showcasing regional South Australia to a global field of emerging engineering talent.
