Blog entry by Media & MK MotoStudent
With a record enrollment of 80 universities from around the world, starting this Wednesday, the MotorLand Aragón paddock will be the global epicenter of technological innovation and cultural richness.
More than 800 university students are expected, who have dedicated their best efforts throughout the year to create the most competitive and efficient motorcycle (both gasoline and electric) in an attempt to achieve ultimate victory. Technical verifications will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, leading to on-track activities on Friday. The weekend will host the final tests and races, all accompanied by a multitude of activities in the paddock for all audiences in a freely accessible event. Despite its youth, MotoStudent has become an international event that has attracted great interest from sponsors and official organizations for potential international expansion. Developed by the MEF Foundation in collaboration with TechnoPark MotorLand, it is the only university race in the world and has seen the participation of over 10,000 university students from around the globe since its first edition. Interestingly, many university students who have participated in various MotoStudent editions are now working for companies related to the MotoGP or Formula 1 world.
As a novelty this year, there will be a job fair called "Talent RoadShow 2023" on Friday the 13th, which will be accessible to students registered in the competition. Several motor industry companies will be present, aiming to create a synergy that can bear fruit in the future.
80 universities from 19 countries at MotorLand Aragón
A true record, this edition of MotoStudent can be described as such. It has been a long journey leading up to the consecration of this event, which, every two years, attracts more and more university students who are passionate about engineering, two-wheelers, and a collegial atmosphere. This event, supported by FIM, goes beyond being a competitive event; it is primarily an educational event that values the work and ambition of university students who have developed their motorcycles over the course of a year. As in previous editions, there will be two categories: MotoStudent Petrol, with internal combustion, and MotoStudent Electric, with a 100% electric propulsion system. Over five days, both categories will be tested in various activities on the circuit to evaluate the motorcycles from different technical perspectives. The competition is designed to offer various awards based on different aspects and areas (best project, best innovation, best design, etc.), making it not only a fun challenge for university students but also an intellectual challenge they've worked on throughout the year to reach Alcañiz this weekend. In this way, for five days, universities from diverse countries such as the United States, Egypt, Austria, Italy, Mexico, India, and, of course, Spain, will share experiences, grow as individuals, and compete for victory in this 7th Edition.
An Event Packed with Activities
The event officially begins on Wednesday with the arrival of different teams and the distribution of documentation, along with the setup in the Alcañiz circuit boxes. The first technical and administrative verifications and tests will also commence. These same activities will continue on Thursday and Friday. Over the weekend, action will move to the track, with dynamic tests starting on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. in two different categories, concluding around 12:00 p.m. Free practice sessions will follow, with the first session for the Petrol category at 4:00 p.m., alternating with the Electric category, each having two 20-minute free practice sessions, concluding on the track at 6:20 p.m. On Sunday, starting at 9:00 a.m., there will be on-track activity with different warm-up sessions for both categories. Qualifying sessions will start at 10:45 a.m., leading to the races at 1:40 p.m. The Petrol category will race first, followed by the Electric category at 2:45 p.m.
In addition to on-track and motor-related activities, there will be activities in the paddock on Saturday and Sunday. MotorLand will be open to all fans, with access to the fan zone starting at 8:00 a.m., offering various activities for children (face painting, inflatable structures, contests, etc.), as well as access to the circuit terraces to watch the on-track action. There will also be food trucks and various stalls in the paddock.
Key Support for the Development of this Competition
Although it faced initial challenges, MotoStudent has become well-established and has received support from crucial companies and institutions with significant impact in the motorsport field. Notably, the event is under the umbrella of the International Motorcycling Federation and is also supported by DORNA SPORTS (the company that manages the MotoGP World Championship and the Superbike World Championship, among others), ANESDOR, and the RFME, among others. It doesn't just receive institutional support but also the backing of leading brands in the motor industry. KTM is the official supplier of gasoline engines, Dunlop sponsors the tires, J.Juan sponsors the brakes, Bender is the supplier of the IMD, and Andreanini MHS sponsors the suspensions. Additionally, there are notable partnerships, such as Circe, which supports the electric category and develops technological solutions that contribute to efficient, safe, and connected mobility. Fersa Bearings, a Spanish multinational, starts its sponsorship with MotoStudent in this 7th Edition. With the aim of creating a zero-emissions event with 100% renewable energy, Acciona Energía joins as a competition partner, contributing to emissions reduction and promoting more sustainable mobility. Acciona will operate an electric mobility hub at the final event, featuring renewable energy sources, photovoltaic panel modules, electric vehicle charging points, and providing electric motorcycles for organization mobility in the paddock.