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Sasolburg be on the lookout: The 2022 Sasol Solar Challenge is coming to your town!
SEDIBENG.- The 2022 Sasol Solar Challenge (SSC) will make its first control-stop at the DP De Villiers Stadium in Sasolburg on 9 September, after travelling from Johannesburg. Sasolburg is home to Sasol – the title sponsor of the Sasol Solar Challenge.
“Each control-stop has an optional loop of road, which teams can drive their solar cars around as many times as they like, racking up more kilometres, and each loop requires a five-minute control-stop before completion,” said Robert Walker, Owner and Director of the Sasol Solar Challenge.
The mandatory 30-minute stop is an opportunity for teams to refresh, swap drivers, perform repairs, and strategise. It will also be an opportunity for the community of Sasolburg to come out and support the teams before the event moves to other communities, and subsequently the finish line.
The control-stop will incorporate a school activation programme where learners in the community will have an opportunity to en-gage with the solar car teams and view the solar cars.
Some of the learners will be showcasing their sustainable solutions developed to address mobility challenges faced by the community.
“The school activation programme is an experiential platform to influence and inspire scholars across South Africa to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics studies (STEM).
“The overall offering of the Sasol Solar Challenge is an extension of Sasol’s investment in the youth of South Africa.
“Through the Sasol Solar Challenge, Sasol is directly investing in the engineers, scientists and thought leaders of tomorrow,” said Nozipho Mbatha, Senior Manager: Group Brand and Sponsorships at Sasol.
The Sasol Solar Challenge takes place every two years. It brings together university and high school teams, and even private engineers who have manufactured fully functioning, roadworthy cars that run solely on solar energy. It runs on public roads, sharing space with trucks and regular traffic, and passes through multiple small towns.
Sasolburg ambassador, Johan Griesel said that the Sasol Solar Challenge will help encourage young people in the community to take on science, technology, engineering and mathematics studies (STEM).
“STEM education is important and beneficial to our communities. Therefore, it is our job as parents, teachers, and the greater community to encourage young kids to pursue STEM education. To attract young people to these subjects, we need initiatives like the Sasol Solar Challenge that provide hands-on learning.”
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.
This year marks the fourteenth Sasol Solar Challenge.
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.
Spectators are welcome at all stops, and more information on the route and the teams can be found at:
www.solarchallenge.org.za or on social media:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SASolarChallenge/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/sasolarchallenge Twitter: twitter.com/Solar_Challenge
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