After a successful inaugural event, the Ilanga Cup Solar Challenge is back and promises a more action-packed endurance challenge. The 2023 edition of the event returns to Red Star Raceway, Delmas (Mpumalanga) from the 5th until the 6th of July 2023.

The return of the 2023 Ilanga Cup Solar Challenge was announced on Thursday during a virtual launch which was attended by both existing and prospective solar car teams as well as solar challenge enthusiasts and members of the media.

“We are thrilled to officially launch the highly anticipated Ilanga Cup Solar Challenge for 2023. The inaugural event made the greatest impact in the region. We have received lots of interest from schools and universities across the Southern Africa region, who want to participate in the solar challenge,” said Robert Walker, Director of the Ilanga Cup Solar Challenge. “As the event focuses on driving the innovation of renewable energy within the transportation sector, it is important that we get as many young people involved and give them the platform to experiment with different energy concepts in order to contribute towards sustainable mobility.”

The Ilanga Cup Solar Challenge is Southern Africa’s first closed track endurance challenge. The event takes place annually and has been created for solar car teams in the region to put their solar vehicles to the test in a controlled environment, designed and focused on measuring the vehicles' performance, efficiency, and durability.

The 2023 event will incorporate new and exciting features for both the solar car teams and spectators. Among other changes, the event is moving from an eight-hour to a 24-hour endurance challenge – allowing more time for the teams to test their vehicle’s cutting-edge technologies as well as push the limit of solar technology during both day and night settings. Spectators can look forward to a phenomenal experience as they will be witnessing both the power of solar energy as well as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education demonstrated in a real-life setting.

“The Ilanga Cup is the first-ever solar challenge in Africa to conduct a 24-hour solar event. We believe that with this format, the participating teams will be able to gather useful data for the development and further improve solar technologies for sustainable transportation,” said Walker.

He added that: “We are delighted to be launching the event during transport month and we look forward to hosting the solar car teams next year, who will be showcasing their engineering skills and demonstrating the importance of sustainable transportation.”

Registrations for the 2023 Ilanga Cup Solar Challenge are now open. Teams can register on the website: https://www.ilangacup.co.za/

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