The "breakthrough" is not all it's claimed to be, apparently.

Breakthrough in lithium-air battery technology disputed

But this is better news - and it's a product that will be available very soon, because it can be produced on the existing Lithium-ion production facilities.

New design Lithium metal batteries double power output for consumer electronics, electric cars

News release today saying the race is on. Where do i enter ?

They have changed it a bit from my original proposal and now there is a fuel efficiency section for normal aircraft.

So get out your moony !

Great to see this idea is up and running (flying?) again.
Will be interesting to see the electric/hybrid/solar/battery competitor line up.
These a few out there, and this will give the future of flight a push along.

And be plenty of fun for those involved.

What has Oz got to offer in the way of a 'bird' ? A modified Jabiru or something?

That why they are getting the Belfast in Cairns ready, to ferry the J450-E series Jabiru.

Hi Dick, i PM'd you but no answer..... where can we get links to the rules and entries etc please ???

Thanks Michael Coates

Where would one get info on such a great air race............ dunno, maybe

https://www.greatairrace.com.au/

Can we " mid air refuel " using a coax cable from a lighty.

That time of year just trail a long conductor line and let nature charge you up in a flash.

Pipistrel seem to have an electric plane capable of an hours flight plus 30 mins reserve, this is on two batteries, I wonder how many batteries can be added to the plane to extend flying time, gonna be an awfully slow race stopping every hour for a recharge.

LOL, fit her up with a few supercapacitors.

How about a Jabiru with watercooled heads and fuel injection.

What currently available aircraft has the best SFC?

Would it be a motor glider?

Depends on which parameters you apply. I hear the Solar Impulse was pretty good.:)

But look at the results from Green Flight Challenge and Berblinger Flight Competition.

@ cafe.foundation/blog/green-flight-challenge-final-results/

@ cafe.foundation/blog/berblinger-flight-competition-winners-for-2011/

Here is an article from the Sunday Telegraph August 30, 2018 entitled "Countries too dangerous to fly over in Great Air Race 2018: Dick Smith proposed air race too dangerous".

It's great to see some media support and exposure for this great event. I just don't 'understand' the stupid title to the article. Let's hope for a full field and a grate competition !

Does anyone know if there are any genuine entrants in development?

No - small, low-power engines don't tend to make spectacular SFCs because the surface/volume ratio of the combustion chamber is heading down the toilet however SFC is only part of a very large picture and making loads of shaft power efficiently is pointless if you blow most of it away with poor aero and thrust efficiency.

What is your definition of 'small', and 'low power'?