Day three of the 2026 Sasol Solar Challenge delivered one of the competition’s most demanding tests yet, as teams tackled the event’s full-blind stage.
Solar Challenge routes
Departing from Vryburg, competitors only received the complete route for the day the night before, leaving engineers and drivers with limited time to analyse the course, refine strategy and prepare their solar-powered vehicles for the challenge ahead.
The route took teams from Vryburg to the control stop in Jan Kempdorp before the final push to Kimberley. Under clear South African skies, solar charging conditions were ideal, allowing teams to maximise energy collection before heading onto the road.
With a relatively short 18km loop at the control stop, teams wasted no time finding their rhythm. However, while the sunshine provided a welcome boost for the vehicles, it created difficult conditions for the drivers, engineers and support crews working in the intense Northern Cape heat.
Despite the demanding circumstances and the uncertainty that comes with a blind stage, several teams successfully completed loops at the control stop, highlighting both the reliability of their vehicles and the strength of their planning.
Leading in the competition
Tshwane University of Technology continued its impressive campaign, further extending its lead at the top of the standings. Sol Invictus Dynamics, Genuine JV and AgniRath also delivered strong performances, successfully banking valuable loops during the stage.
The emotional highlight of the day belonged to MP Solar Flair. After three seasons of competing in the Sasol Solar Challenge, the team achieved a significant milestone by completing an entire leg of the event without requiring trailer support. The accomplishment meant travelling the full distance from the start line to the control stop, and then from the control stop to the finish line entirely under the car’s own power.
While it may not appear on a podium table, for MP Solar Flair it represented a victory years in the making and a testament to the perseverance that defines the competition.
As the challenge continues, day three proved that success is not measured solely by kilometres travelled or loops completed. Sometimes the biggest victories come from overcoming personal obstacles, adapting to the unknown and proving that determination can be just as powerful as the sun itself.
