Not long after completing his HSC, Andrew Grima did a Western Sydney University campus tour. It was on the tour that he passed by the solar car workshop at the University's Kingswood campus – the rest is history.
Immediately piquing his interest, Andrew met the team and was invited to come back the very next day.
"I've kind of been there ever since," said Andrew.
Now gearing up for his second Bridgestone World Solar Challenge after five years with the team, Andrew is excited to tackle the challenge this time around as the team's technical project manager and one of three drivers.
"I'm in charge of overseeing the entire tech team – including mechanical, electrical, and strategy – making sure all three core systems work in harmony with one another and come together to create what we have here: UNLIMITED 6.0."
"Being a solar car driver is a very unique driving experience. The car is definitely not built for comfort – it's fully sealed for aerodynamics, which means it heats up quickly inside.
"You need to be able to perform at your best under intense heat while also dealing with harsh noises and vibrations, so having strong focus and mental resilience is essential.
"We have three drivers who rotate throughout the day between control stops. Each stint in the car can last anywhere from two to four hours at a time."
Andrew has been training hard for this moment, including driving the team's previous solar cars for practice, as well as using an at home simulator to sharpen his race craft and reactions.
Competing against the world's best is no easy feat, but something Andrew is feeling confident about.
"Having done the challenge in 2023 and now preparing again, the entire team has learnt so much. Seeing that improvement and knowing how much better we can perform in front of the best in the world is incredibly exciting."
Andrew is looking forward to crossing the finish line in Adelaide, a rewarding experience after travelling over 3,000km from Darwin.
"Crossing the finish line is such an incredible feeling, one I remember very clearly."
"All the pressure and weight of two years of hard work suddenly lifts off your shoulders. All the worries about whether the hundreds of unique parts would hold up just disappear, and it all turns into one massive team cheer and celebration."
With an innate passion for problem solving, Andrew said both his engineering degree and work on the solar car team has allowed him to put his theoretical learnings to the test.
"Being able to think through real-world mechanical applications and tackle new, unique challenges almost every day is incredibly rewarding."
The opportunities at the University have also helped Andrew secure employment, following his recent graduation in June.
"Being a part of the team has allowed us to work with some major industry partners, which is fantastic for building contacts and deepening our industry knowledge."
"The transition into work has been smooth, since I've already been working alongside these people in the solar car environment."
