Day 5 of the Sasol Solar Challenge brought an exciting spectacle to the lively community of Augrabies as solar-powered vehicles sped through the Northern Cape’s scenic landscapes, captivating both young and old. Children from the area gathered along the roadside, cheering enthusiastically as teams raced their cutting-edge solar cars through the beautiful views of vibrant flowers, rugged mountains, and clear skies on their way to the finish line in Springbok – which is approximately 1150 kilometres from where the challenge started in Secunda, Mpumalanga.
“We’ve never seen anything like this before” a local parent said as he watched the solar vehicles glide silently past. “It’s fascinating to see the next generation of cars up close, powered by nothing but the sun. It feels like we’re getting a glimpse of the future cars that our children and grandchildren will drive right here in our community.”
A two-year-old boy eagerly begged his father every time the solar cars zoomed by, wanting to get inside, touch them, or take a picture with them. His father hesitated, unsure about allowing it, until a Sasol Solar Challenge representative stepped in and explained how they could safely take a photo without disrupting the race. The Sasol Solar Challenge has become a beacon of inspiration for the future participants of the prestigious event – an inspiring moment for perhaps a future participant of the prestigious event?
The teams participating in the Sasol Solar Challenge are beginning to feel the pressure as they head toward the finish line in Cape Town. After four intense days of the challenge, Day 5 presented a crucial stretch with challenging roads, but the teams are determined to push their vehicles to the limit. With only a few days left until the grand finale, each team is strategising and fine-tuning their approach to maximize their mileage under the blazing Northern Cape sun.
The competition is heating up, and everyone is feeling the strain, however, Innoptus Solar Team were singularly focused on breaking their own daily record, a mammoth 672.9km on day four. They easily smashed that record today, clocking a dizzying 703 kilometres. A tremendous feat by one of the world’s best teams. When asked about their strategy for day 5, they said: “Besides beating our own record, our main focus for day 5 was to charge our battery every chance we got in preparation for the gloomy weather conditions going to Cape Town.”
Brunel Solar Team Leader, Cato Kral said: Coming to day 5 we knew how many loops we wanted to do, we maintained our speed and ensured that the driver was comfortable.”
Solar Team Twente came to day 5 focused on playing out their own strategy. Dawn Nibbering, Strategist said: We knew the kilometres we wanted to cover on the day, and we achieved most of them when we were doing the loops, however, we prioritised keeping the energy battery for the remaining days.”
The beauty of the Northern Cape; its flowers and mountains helped keep the teams grounded, but the pressure is definitely on, and there’s no room for error.”
As the teams made their way towards Springbok, they were greeted by not only stunning scenery but also impeccable roads that provide a smooth ride for these sun-powered cars.
The journey from Augrabies to Springbok showcases the diverse beauty of the Northern Cape, with colourful wildflowers in full bloom framing the route, set against a backdrop of towering mountains.
The Sasol Solar Challenge continues to be more than just a challenge but a celebration of innovation, sustainability, and community spirit. The people of Augrabies have been touched by this futuristic event, and their excitement is a testament to the impact of this unique solar-powered challenge.
About The Sasol Solar Challenge:
The Sasol Solar Challenge is a biennial event that brings together teams from around the world to showcase solar-powered vehicle innovation. The event highlights the possibilities of sustainable energy while challenging participants to travel the longest distance across South Africa using only solar energy.
The challenge promotes cutting-edge technology, education, and environmental awareness.
The Sasol Solar Challenge continues through Friday, 20th September. For live news updates, please download our App – Sasol Solar Challenge on iOS or Android, or follow us on social media by using the hashtag #SasolSolarChallenge.
