The 2022 Sasol Solar Challenge (SSC) will begin the first-ever marathon stage in Kroonstad on the 9th of September. The two-day marathon stage will finish in Gariepdam. Kroonstad will also be the start line of day two of the event on the 10th of September.

The marathon stage aims to challenge teams to work on their solar cars in a closed and secured area with limited workforce, in preparation for the second half of the marathon. This is done to test the teams’ reliability.

“Once teams have completed day one of the event, the cars will be parked in a closed and secured area where only three selected individuals from each team will be allowed to go in and work on their car throughout the night before the next day,” said Robert Walker, Owner and Director of the Sasol Solar Challenge. “Teams will not be able to pass tools or equipment into the workshop area, all equipment will be brought in through the entrance under the scrutiny of the designated event official.”

The 2022 Sasol Solar Challenge will also incorporate other two special stages, which are 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.

Nozipho Mbatha, Senior Manager: Group Brand and Sponsorships at Sasol said, “The marathon stage will put the teams knowledge and skills to the test as they work under strict rules and regulations to produce fully functioning cars for the second half of the marathon stage. We look forward to seeing different types of strategies including communication and time management - as the teams will be working on a limited workforce.”

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

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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.

About 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.

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