Formula SAE A to Call The Bend Home in Major Win for Australian Engineering and Regional South Australia

The Shell V Power Motorsport Park at The Bend will become the new home of Formula SAE Australasia from December 2026, hosting the prestigious international engineering competition for the next five years.

The move marks the first time in nearly three decades that Formula SAE A will be held outside Victoria, with The Bend selected as the venue to host more than 1,200 engineering students, academics and industry leaders from Australia, Asia and the Middle East each year.

Formula SAE A is a globally recognised applied engineering competition that challenges university teams to design, build, test and race their own Formula style vehicles, combining cutting edge motorsport with real world STEM education across mechanical, electrical, mechatronics, robotics, computer science and AI disciplines.

The four day annual event is expected to generate more than $22.6 million for the South Australian economy over five years, delivering significant benefits to regional businesses across accommodation, hospitality, transport and tourism in the Murray and Coorong region.

Purpose Built Venue for World Class Engineering

With its FIA Grade 2 circuit, extensive paddock infrastructure and on site technology capabilities, The Bend provides an ideal environment for Formula SAE A’s dynamic mix of static engineering assessment, endurance testing and high performance track action.

The event also includes a major engineering careers and employment exhibition, where students engage directly with leading employers including Caterpillar, Toyota Australia, Ford Australia, Tesla Energy, Walkinshaw Automotive Group, Bruce Rock Engineering, Supacat and ADF Careers.

Quotes attributable to Alistair MacDonald, CEO – The Bend

“Securing Formula SAE Australasia is a landmark moment for The Bend and for regional South Australia." "This event will bring more than 1,000 of the best engineering minds in the country and region to our facility every year, living, working and competing here for an extended period.” “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.” “We are proud to have worked closely with Formula SAE Australasia and Business Events Adelaide to secure this opportunity, and we look forward to welcoming competitors, universities and industry partners to South Australia from December 2026.”

Strengthening South Australia’s Engineering Pipeline

Teams from the University of Adelaide and Flinders University are among those set to compete at their home circuit, strengthening South Australia’s role as a hub for future engineers and advanced manufacturing talent.

Formula SAE A at The Bend reinforces the state’s growing reputation for hosting major motorsport, innovation and business events outside the Adelaide CBD, demonstrating the capability of world class regional infrastructure.