The 2022 Sasol Solar Challenge (SSC) will finish day four and day five of the event in Graaff-Reinet on the 12th and 13th of September after travelling through eight towns from Johannesburg. Graaff-Reinet will also be the start line of day five and day six of the event on the 13th and 14th September.

“After a long day of action-packed endurance, day four and day five of the eight-day long event will wrap-up in Graaff-Reinet. The community of Graaff-Reinet will have an opportunity to come out and view the solar cars and engage with the teams at the finish line of day four and day five,” said Robert Walker, Owner and Director of the Sasol Solar Challenge.

The 2022 Sasol Solar Challenge will incorporate special stages, which includes half and full blind stages,where information relating to the route will be withheld until the night before teams take on the road, forcing them to strategise.

“This will make the event more exciting, challenging at the same time and more adventurous,” said Walker.

The Sasol Solar Challenge takes place every two years, bringing together university and high school teams, and even private engineers who have manufactured fully functioning, roadworthy cars powered only by the sun. It runs on public roads, sharing space with trucks and regular traffic, and passes through multiple small towns.

The 2022 route from Johannesburg to Cape Town will include five provinces, 14 towns and more than 20 communities. New towns include Brakpan, Trompsburg, Willowmore, Kirkwood, Jeffreys Bay, Riversdale and Caledon. The event is also bringing new local and international teams including those competing for the first time in South Africa and in a solar challenge.

The Sasol Solar Challenge provides an opportunity for STEM enthusiasts and communities along the route, to come together and interact with STEM projects that tackle real-world problems.

Nozipho Mbatha, Senior Manager: Group Brand and Sponsorships at Sasol said, “Hands-on learning in STEM education is essential to spark learners’ interest. Meanwhile, we believe that communities play an influential role in promoting the desire for learners to pursue STEM education and gain relevant intelligence. Therefore, it’s always great to have diverse members of the communities along the route come out and interact with the solar cars and the teams.”

Spectators are welcome at all stops, and more information on the route and the teams can be found at: https://www.solarchallenge.org.za/

-- ENDS --

About Sasol Solar Challenge
The Sasol Solar Challenge is in its fourteenth year. It is a biennial competition that strives to be the ultimate test of technology and innovation. Local and international teams conceptualise, design and build solar-powered vehicles to drive across South Africa in an eight-day event while competing against each other, demonstrating and showcasing their design, manufacturing, and strategy skills. The challenge runs on public roads, sharing space with trucks and regular traffic, and passes through multiple small towns.

Sasol
Sasol is a global chemicals and energy company based in South Africa – operating in 23 countries across the world. Sasol is also the title sponsor of the Sasol Solar Challenge since 2012. The company supports events which inspire creativity and innovation, including sporting and artistic initiatives, as well environmental and educational organisations and events.

For queries, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.