South Africa: 2018 Sasol Solar Challenge

The 2018 event marks a decade of solar car challenges in South Africa, as it runs for the sixth time.

What is Sasol Solar Challenge ?

The Sasol Solar Challenge is a biennial competition. Teams from across the world design and build solar-powered vehicles to drive across South Africa in an eight-day event.

These solar-powered cars compete to cover the biggest distance across public roads, heading from Pretoria to Sasolburg, heading through Bloemfontein to Gariep Dam, and on to Middelburg and Graaff-Reinet.

Highlights of the 2018 competition

This year, the teams are aiming to break 2016’s record of more than 4 500km, held by the Dutch world champions, for a total of 4 716 kilometres.

The final race will take place on the 30th of September. The finish line is in Stellenbosch, and the awards ceremony takes place in Cape Town on 30 September 2018.

Sasol Solar Challenge 2018 calendar
27 September: 
Port Elizabeth: Aldo Scribante Race Circuit, 6h30 to 7h30
Kareedauw: Hoerskool Paul Sauer, 9h00 to 15h00
Sedgefield: Mosaic Village, 16h45 to 17h45

28 September: 
Sedgefield: Mosaic Village, 7h30 to 7h30
Mossel Bay: Langeberg Mall, 9h00 to 15h00
Swellendam: Swellendam Showgrounds, 16h45 to 17h45

29 September:
Swellendam: Swellendam Show Grounds, 16h45 to 17h45
Bredasdorp: Glaskasteel Sports Venue, 9h00 to 15h00
Finish line: Stellenbosch: Die Braak (3 Bloem Street), 15h00 to 17h30

Once they’ve finished their journey the 2018 Sasol Solar Challenge solar cars will be on display at the Sun International Grand West Casino on 30 October 2018.

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Sources: Solarchallenge, IOL