Belgian Solar Team deals blow and takes dominant lead in Sasol Solar Challenge

Leapfrog

Over the past few days, the top teams played leapfrog with each other. None of the teams managed to build a convincing lead and the lead was passed on several times. Today, the Belgians covered about 100 kilometres more than their competitors and were able to build a lead for the first time. This not only puts them in the lead of the classification, but also breaks their own record. Never before has a team covered so many kilometres in one day. The Belgians are now in the lead with a lead of 84 kilometres over the team from Twente and 115 kilometres over the team from Delft.

Desert stage

The team crossed the Kalahari Desert today. Strong crosswinds often occur in this area. The solar car is equipped with an extendable and rotating fin to take advantage of these crosswinds. This fin allows the solar car to sail and consumes less energy.

Outlook

Three more challenging stages await the teams in which, among other things, they will have to overcome tough mountain passes. On Thursday follows the 'blind' stage for the team where the route will not be announced until the evening before. The final stretch towards Cape Town will also be a challenge due to heavy traffic. The team members are looking forward to it and hope to expand their lead in the coming days.  

Sasol Solar Challenge

The Sasol Solar Challenge will take place from Sept. 13 to 20 in South Africa and is considered the most extreme solar challenge. It is the second time for the Belgian Solar Team to participate in this unique challenge. Student teams from around the world will be challenged here to cover as much distance as possible on solar energy in eight days. The students hope to cover more than 4,000 km during the eight-day race. The challenging course across South Africa provides the team members with a strategic challenge. The Belgians are competing there as reigning world champions.