RMIT and VTC team-up for a win at the World Solar Challenge car race

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RMIT and VTC team-up for a win at the World Solar Challenge car race

RMIT engineering students and staff helped design and race a solar-powered car over 3,000km through the Australian Outback to take the top prize.

RMIT engineering students and technical staff are part of the Vocation Training Council (VTC) Hong Kong team that recently won the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2025, pushing the limits of technological innovation to travel the Australian Outback in a vehicle powered only by the energy of the sun.

The VTC Solar Car ‘Sophie’ stormed to the finish line on 31 August after a gruelling 3,000-kilometre, seven-day race through from Darwin to Adelaide, winning by a margin of four minutes in the Cruiser Class category.

Group of people celebrating on stage

VTC and RMIT team at presentation evening in Adelaide.

It is the first World Solar Challenge win for the VTC team, which has been entering the competition since 2013.

RMIT students and technical staff have been part of the VTC team from the start, the result of a 20-year partnership between RMIT and the VTC’s School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE) in Hong Kong. RMIT offers several bachelor’s degree programs through SHAPE, which allows students in Hong Kong to obtain RMIT qualifications in engineering and aviation. Currently, there are around 700 students in RMIT-SHAPE programs.

Kin Kwan Cheuk is completing his Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from RMIT through SHAPE and was part of the winning VTC Solar Car Team, along with four other RMIT students.

He described the moment the car crossed the finish line in first place as unforgettable.

“We were cheering, hugging, and some of us even tearing up,” said Kin Kwan. “It wasn’t just about winning; it was about proving that our innovation, teamwork, and resilience could achieve something incredible. That moment validated everything we had poured into the project.”

Group of people standing around solar car smiling

VTC and RMIT team with 'Sophie’ at the finish line in Adelaide.

The Challenge

Teams from eighteen different countries travelled to Australia to take part in the World Solar Challange.

The race is an intensive endurance test where the teams can only run their cars in daylight between 8am and 5pm, and camp or stay in accommodation each night near the location where they finish each day.

This gave the Hong Kong-born students a unique opportunity – to spend six weeks in Australia, camp in the remote Outback and experience the harsh Aussie climate.

“The most standout moment from the race wasn’t the Outback, it was the heavy rain and wind on the last day in Adelaide!” said Kin Kwan.

Group of people in Australian outback

VTC team during the race in the Australian Outback.

Academic collaboration across borders

In addition to students, the VTC Solar Car Team also includes RMIT Australia engineering staff David Welch and Michael Van den Acker, who have worked with the team in Hong Kong since 2013, supporting six Bridgestone World Solar Challenges.

“The first year VTC competed in the World Solar Challenge, they didn't know what they were in for and neither did we,” said David. “Over the years, we've helped to create not only a competitive car, but also a competitive team.”

Two people working in car garage

RMIT engineering staff David Welch (left) and Michael Van den Acker (right) have helped support the VTC team since 2013.

David and Michael have both worked at RMIT for over 30 years and were initially approached to assist the team because of their expertise in motorsport and long-distance racing.

“The team in Hong Kong were extremely good with the conceptual design of the car, but we were able to help out with their implementation,” said David. “It's a real honour being involved with them and the way they work, they have an excellent work ethic.”

“We knew that the team were capable of winning,” said Michael. “We just gave them the long-distance racing expertise and local support as and when needed."

Four images of group of people standing with solar car

David and Michael with the VTC team in Darwin.

A win for international teamwork and innovation

For the RMIT students involved in the VTC team, winning the challenge means everything.

“It’s not just a trophy or a title — it’s the culmination of countless hours of dedication, innovation, and teamwork,” said Kin Kwan.

We’ve shown that clean energy and cutting-edge engineering can go hand in hand, and that young minds can drive meaningful change.

For RMIT School of Engineering Deputy Dean International Aonghus McNabola the World Solar Challange shows how transnational education partnerships can lead to greater collaboration and innovation.

“The Challenge shows the amazing things that can come when our academics and students – in Australia and overseas – work together,” said Aonghus. “It also helps create a sense of belonging amongst our RMIT students studying outside Australia and connects them to our global RMIT community.”

Four images depicting team working on car

Participating in the Wold Solar Challenge has driven several RMIT engineering students to pursue a career in solar cars and aligned industries.

Building skills for a sustainable future

Cruiser-class cars, like the VTC team car 'Sophie', are built to be functional and sustainable, with the purpose of exposing the engineers of the future to technological innovation to protect the planet.

“Students who have done the solar race program have gone on to do related things in industry,” said David. “Their interest in this particular industry has been sparked by their involvement in the team and event, which is the main value.”

Kin Kwan is one of the student team members who plans to pursue a career in sustainable engineering.

“I aspire to be part of shaping a future where clean energy and engineering excellence are inextricably linked,” said Kin Kwan. “Winning in Adelaide is a milestone we’ll carry with us forever — not just as engineers or students, but as pioneers in solar innovation.”

This victory has shown me what’s possible when a team shares a vision and works relentlessly to achieve it — and I’m ready to take that mindset into whatever comes next.

Solar car in Australian outback

The VTC Solar Car 25 on the road.

13 October 2025

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