Adelaide's pedal prix becomes the biggest human-powered vehicle race in the world

The Australian International Pedal Prix attracts teams from around the nation.
Image courtesy Australian International Pedal Prix

The Adelaide-grown Australian International Pedal Prix has become the world's biggest human-powered vehicle (HPV) race.

The 24-hour event at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge, attracts teams from around Australia.

The first event in 1985, in the car park of the then Underdale campus of The University of South Australia,  had 15-20 teams racing in clunky vehicles. Technology has evolved to produce aero-efficient slick machines that are capable of speeds up to 70 km/h.

As the event grew, it has moved to bigger venues including the former road safety centre at Oaklands Park and Adelaide International Raceway at Virginia, and in 1997 to Murray Bridge, where for the first time, public roads were shut specially for the event. Ninety teams were in the first Murray Bridge event, growing to a record 228 in 2009.

During the year, the HPV Super Series of six-hour races is conducted in several states at venues including Victoria Park in Adelaide’s parklands.

The Murray Bridge event, which finalises the series, is an endurance test with some teams covering 1000 kilometres over the 24 hours.

As of 2015, the championship has been four rounds at Loxton, Victoria Park in Adelaide’s parklands (twice), and Murray Bridge. There are also non-series event days at Mount Gambier and Busselton, Western Australia

As naming rights sponsor, the University of South Australia promotes the series around core values of education, sustainable communities, healthy lifestyles, communication and teamwork, and research and innovation.