THE 2020 Sasol Solar Challenge (SSC) has been postponed until early 2021.
Uitenhage residents, every second year, get a glance of talented engineering teams from around the world, passing the town on the R75 in their futuristic vehicles, covering 2 500km on public roads.
This biennial competition is provisionally scheduled to take place from 19- 26 February 2021 instead of September 2020 as initially planned. Participating teams will be able to register until the end of November 2020.
A new date for the South African launch and local testing event originally scheduled for June this year will depend on guidance from the South African government and will be announced once confirmed.
This postponement is a natural consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic. Restrictions on movement will remain in some form until the end of 2020, and the SSC and its sponsors continue to support government efforts and regulations to mitigate the impact of the disease.
“We are postponing the 2020 Sasol Solar Challenge out of concern for the well-being of participants and spectators, and in recognition of the challenges faced by teams around the world in working on their solar cars,” said Robert Walker, director and owner of the SSC.
“We strongly believe that through continued collaboration, communication and support we can retain the enthusiasm and spirit that makes this such a unique event, and are committed to maintaining our momentum until we are once again able to welcome all participants to South African roads.”
The Sasol Solar Challenge starts in Pretoria and participants then head to Stellenbosch, via Kroonstad, Bloemfontein, Gariep Dam, Graaff Reinet, Uitenhage, Port Elizabeth and through the Garden Route and Southern Cape.
- The eight-day event spans more than 2 500km, with teams putting newly developed technology to the test as they pass through SA towns. Website: www.solarchallenge.org.za
