Sasol Solar Challenge: 2018

[TheBear]

The Sasol Solar Challenge will take place in South Africa again this year.  It will start in Pretoria on 22 September and finish in Stellenbosch on 29 September.

Planned high level route for those interested.

Saterday 22/9: Pretoria (Menlyn Maine) to Kroonstad (254km). Control Stop - Sasolburg. Loop distance: 74,9km
Sunday 23/9: Kroonstad to Bloemfontein (231km). Control Stop - Winburg. Loop distance: 70,7km
Monday 24/9: Bloemfontein to Gariep Dam (196km). Control Stop - Edenburg. Loop distance: 82,1km
Tuesday 25/9: Gariep Dam to Graaff-Reinet (224km). Control Stop - Middelburg. Loop distance: 35,9
Wednesday 26/9: Graaf-Reinet to Port-Elizabeth (250km). Control Stop - Jansenville. Loop distance: 65,2km
Thursday 27/9: Port Elizabeth to Sedgefield (312km). Control Stop - Kareedouw. Loop distance: 59,2km
Friday 28/9: Sedgefield to Swellendam (245km). Control Stop - Mosselbay. Loop distance: 28,7km
Saturday 29/9: Swellendam to Stellenbosch (234km). Control Stop - Bredasdorp. Loop distance: 75,1

Shortest route distance: 1958km
Possible total distance by top teams: 4500 - 5000km. Current record: 4745km.

[TheBear]

Should anyone be interested to come and have a look at these cars, the best spot is at the Control Stop Area, as this is where they will spend time standing still.  It will also be the start and finish for the loops they will be driving to gain extra distance for the day.

Saterday 22/9: Control Stop:  D.P. de Villiers Stadium, Sasolburg.  Loop to Deneysville, Viljoensdrift and back
Sunday 23/9: Control Stop - Main Street, Winburg. Loop distance: Loop to Theunissen and back
Monday 24/9: Control Stop - Church Square, Edenburg. Loop toward Trompsburg and back
Tuesday 25/9: Control Stop - High School, Middelburg. Loop toward Graaff-Reinett and back.
Wednesday 26/9: Control Stop - Main Street, Jansenville. Loop to Klipplaat and back.
Thursday 27/9: Control Stop - Sweaty Dutchman, Kareedouw. Loop onto N2 toward PE and back.
Friday 28/9: Control Stop - Langeberg Mall, Mosselbay. Loop to Brandwacht and back.
Saturday 29/9: Control Stop - Sport Club, Bredasdorp. Loop to Aghulas and back
Saturday 29/9:  Finish - Die Braak, Stellenbosch.

[BlueBull2007]

Is it a car or bike race; or both?

[TheBear]

It is a race between solar powered cars only.  Piccie below of the NWU car.

[OomD]

https://s1.ctrackonline.co.za/

Like last year, Ctrack will be tracking these vehicles live - they have tracking units installed (the tracking units do not make use of the vehicle's solar power).

[TheBear]

Thanks OomD.  It can be interesting following them.  The reigning world champs, Nuon Solar Team from Holland and their biggest challengers Tokai Solar Team from Japan have laid the gauntlet yesterday.  Grid qualifying was fastest by a smidgen was Tokai Challenger from Japan with Nuna9S from Holland 2nd.  Basically a deja vu from 2016.

Seems all the cars are having a snooze in a central place.  They will move to the casino at Menlyn Main where they will be on exhibit tomorrow.

[TheBear]

Results:

1.  Delft University, Nuon Solar Team, Netherlands
2.  Tokai University, Japan
3.  Swiss Solar Car Team, Switserland
4.  Tshwane University of Technology
5.  North West University