Sasol sponsors Solar Challenge for third year
Sasol will be the title sponsor for the 2016 South African Solar Challenge. This is the third consecutive time that the chemicals and energy company is involved in as headline sponsor for the race which takes place every second year.
Held under the auspices of the Fédération Internationale de I’Automobile (FIA), the International Solar Car Federation (ISF) and Motorsport South Africa (MSA), the solar challenge is the largest competition of its kind. Aimed at completing challenging distances each day, using only solar energy, these vehicles represent the pinnacle of electric vehicle and solar technology research. Teams from around the world participate in this eco-efficiency challenge aimed at demonstrating the sophistication and performance of solar-powered vehicles.
The 2016 Sasol Solar Challenge will take place from 24 September until 1 October 2016. Starting in Pretoria, passing though the Free State plains and via Graaff-Reinet in the Karoo, it winds its way down to Port Elizabeth, after which it enters the beautiful Garden Route – and ends in Cape Town – eight days later.
The Sasol Solar Challenge 2016 will feature five separate classes of competition: the Olympia Class and Challenger Class as main competitive classes for solar-electric vehicles; the Adventure Class for pre-2016 event vehicles, typically 3 wheelers; the Cruiser Class for practicality; and the Sustainability Fleet, which is designed to provide a forum to further demonstrate advanced technologies in personal transport opportunities.
Richard Hughes, Sasol Group Sponsorship Manager said of the event: “The Sasol Solar Challenge is but one initiative that we support to encourage young people to achieve success in STEM subjects – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Others initiatives include, Sasol Techno X, as well as our ongoing investment through a comprehensive bursary programme. Conceptualising, designing and building a solar car ticks all the boxes of STEM principles in that it provides a practical laboratory on wheels for the students.”