REGIONAL NSW ROADSHOW - 2022

During 2020, the Western Sydney Solar Team was hard at work designing Unlimited 4.0 from the ground up to compete in the 2021 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC). The BWSC was cancelled in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. To test new design and fabrication techniques the team decided to proceed with building a half scale version of Unlimited 4.0. To continue our mission of outreach the team decided to run an online expo during the height of COVID, and the team committed to a Regional NSW Roadshow to promote sustainable mobility.

The 10 weeks leading up to the roadshow was an intense, collaborative and rewarding experience. It brought together the team, partners, external advisors and university staff to plan out every detail of the week-long journey.It involved liaising with various schools and councils, partaking in events and most importantly, securing an unregistered Vehicle Permit to get Unlimited 2.0 on the road. This plan would hopefully stimulate sustainability focused conversation in NSW’s regional communities and inspire a new generation of thinkers to come up with innovative solutions.

Western Sydney Solar Team would like to thank all of our partners, including the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club for hosting the concluding event at the Sydney Motorsport Park. The team would also like to thank Abergeldie specifically for their outstanding support through the pandemic. Finally, we are excited to announce that with Abergeldie’s support, the team will be planning biennial roadshows to further support and encourage the next generation of thinkers!

HARS AVIATION MUSEUM

Illawarra • 26th April

To begin the adventure, the team set off from Kingswood in the morning, headed for the HARS Aviation Museum in Albion Park, over 120km from the workshop. Unlimited 2.0 and its convoy drove on some of NSW’s busiest roads. The team were met at HARS by the wonderful staff and WIN News and enjoyed a wonderful few hours admiring the engineering that went into some of history’s most famous aircraft.

The team with UNLIMITED 2.0 in front of ORION
UNLIMITED 2.0 driving past a Super Constellation in a Qantas livery
UNLIMITED 2.0 pictured in front of Orion
Nina sitting in the cockpit
UNLIMITED 2.0 in front of a turboprop aircraft
Brad sitting in the cockpit
The team getting shown around by one of the kind HARS volunteers

WAKEFIELD PARK RACEWAY

Goulburn • 26th April

Next stop for Unlimited 2.0 was the Wakefield Park Raceway. Due to the poor weather conditions the car didn’t drive to the Race track. But once it got there, the team had the track to themselves and pushed Unlimited 2.0 to its limits!

UNLIMITED 2.0 driving around Wakefield Park Raceway
UNLIMITED 2.0 driving around Wakefield Park Raceway
UNLIMITED 2.0 driving around Wakefield Park Raceway
UNLIMITED 2.0 driving around Wakefield Park Raceway
UNLIMITED 2.0 driving around Wakefield Park Raceway
UNLIMITED 2.0 driving around Wakefield Park Raceway
UNLIMITED 2.0 driving around Wakefield Park Raceway
UNLIMITED 2.0 driving around Wakefield Park Raceway
UNLIMITED 2.0 driving around Wakefield Park Raceway

MOUNT PANORAMA RACING CIRCUIT

Bathurst • 27th April

Day 2 started early at the Goulburn Showground. Unlimited 2.0 set off at 8am to get to Bathurst by midday for an event at the National Motor Racing Museum at Mount Panorama. Unfortunately, the rain cancelled Unlimited 2.0’s planned lap of the circuit. However, the convoy (including Unlimited 2.0’s trailer) was able to complete a lap. The team stayed the night at the Telegraph Hotel in Molong to take shelter from the harsh weather.

The team getting UNLIMITED 2.0 ready  for the drive to Bathurst
UNLIMITED 2.0 ready to set off for Bathurst
UNLIMITED 2.0 on the road to Bathurst
UNLIMITED 2.0 on the road to Bathurst
UNLIMITED 2.0 on the road to Bathurst
UNLIMITED 2.0 on the road to Bathurst
The team talking to some aspiring engineers
The team talking to some aspiring engineers from the Central West NSW Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy
The team talking to some aspiring engineers from the Central West NSW Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy
The team relaxing with some pool after a long day

DUBBO CAREERS DAY

Dubbo • 28th April

Day 3 was another early start with another 120km drive from Molong to Dubbo College Senior Campus. The team met a lot of students, teachers and members of the public for the Dubbo Careers Day. An armful of plush zoo animals also made an appearance as well as a small run in with the Rural NSW Police Force! At the end of the day, the team set off for Jerry Plains and set up camp for the night; meeting fellow campers and telling them about the team and the project.

UNLIMITED 2.0 at the Dubbo College Secondary Campus
The team discussing UNLIMITED 2.0 with some students at the Dubbo careers day
The team talking to a member of staff from the school
Maggie saying hi to one of the furry friends at the careers day
The team with some aspiring engineers from the Central West NSW Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy
A member of the NSW Police performs a 'license check' on our driver Ethan
This furry friend from Taronga Western Plains Zoo came to check out the car
UNLIMITED 2.0 heading out from the careers day
UNLIMITED 2.0 on the road
The team in front of the Merriwa silo
Divyam checking over UNLIMITED 2.0 after a day of driving
Our two chefs, Ameer and Kartik, cooking paella
The team tucking into dinner
Dan showing some people from the campsite around UNLIMITED 2.0
The starry sky above our campsite

TOCAL FIELD DAYS

Hunter Region • 29th April

The team travelled to Tocal for one of the biggest agricultural shows in NSW, the Tocal Field Days. This was one of the most rewarding days of the Roadshow. Thankfully, the sun was shining and everyone got to see Unlimited 2.0 in all of its beauty. Some members left the show with a helicopter ride crossed off their bucket list, others walked away with brand new Akubras and plenty of gifts to take back to their families. We finished the day off with a small trip to our campsite in Maitland, looking forward to heading back home in the morning.

Some team members about to embark on a helicopter tour of the area
The team saying hi t some other stalls at the event
Kartik talking to a team member from one of our wonderful partners, Abergeldie
Some team members hanging out at the event
Aaron showing UNLIMITED 2.0 to someone at the event
Some team members getting a photo with some fans of the team
Mariah showing off her new Akubra in UNLIMITED 2.0
Nina talking to a team member from one of our wonderful partners, Abergeldie
Ameer and Alex with their new Akubras
UNLIMITED 2.0 heading out from Tocal
UNLIMITED 2.0 in the trailer at the campsite in Maitland
A picture of our campsite in Maitland

SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK

Eastern Creek • 30th April

The sun was shining bright on day 5 of the roadshow and the team was looking forward to a picturesque drive back to Sydney. Stopping at the Sydney Motorsport Park, the team was greeted by their close friends and family. After catching up with their loved ones, the team returned back to the workshop. With Unlimited 2.0 back on display outside the workshop, the first Regional NSW Roadshow came to a close.

The team preparing UNLIMITED 2.0 for the drive down to Sydney
Dan making sure UNLIMITED 2.0's fairings are securely in place for the drive down to Sydney
Dan giving the thumbs up, ready to drive UNLIMITED 2.0 down to Sydney
UNLIMITED 2.0 on the road
UNLIMITED 2.0 on the road
UNLIMITED 2.0 arriving at Sydney Motorsport Park in the trailer
UNLIMITED 2.0 in the garage at Sydney Motorsport Park
Some of the team talking to some of the staff and family members that came to see us at Sydney Motorsport Park
Brad talking to Mick and Robin from Abergeldie
Divyam and Alex talking to some of the faculty from the School of Engineering and Built Environment
The team and partners pictured with UNLIMITED 2.0
Ameer greeting one of our wonderful TRTS staff to the event
Brad and Dan talking to Peter Larum from the Australian Racing Drivers Club
Some team members enjoying the view of the cars racing around Sydney Motorsport Park

MEDIA COVERAGE