BEFORE THE EVENT
Teams are responsible for their own accommodation prior to the event. Please contact the event organisers for recommendations. If teams require secure workspace to build their car or perform maintenance prior to the event, the organisers can be contacted for recommendations.
The organisers will not be responsible for the hiring cost of the workspace.
DURING THE EVENT
Accommodation details are specified in the regulations and will be shared with registered teams via Team Notices.
EXCHANGE RATE AND CURRENCIES
Most international teams will benefit from the South African exchange rate. The Sasol Solar Challenge in South Africa is therefore highly competitive, offering value for money in comparison to other events. The official currency of South Africa is the Rand (ZAR). Please note that exchange rates fluctuate daily.
FLYING TO AND FROM SOUTH AFRICA
More than 40 international airlines fly into South Africa. See page 8 of the Team Manager's Guide, for more information on travelling to South Africa.
FREIGHT AND LOGISTICS
For more information on freight and logistics for your solar car and team please contact the event organisers.
TEAM ACCOMMODATION
The Sasol Solar Challenge will provide your team with a camping area each night where you will be safe and can get a good night’s sleep before the challenging day ahead.
CAMPING AND GEAR
Please ensure that you bring adequate camping gear and supplies.
WATER AND SANITATION
There will be toilet and shower facilities at each campsite.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
The route from Johannesburg to Cape Town is safe, and a third-party security company will assist us at all campsites and control stops. Once registered, you will receive a “Guide to South Africa” with tips and tricks to surviving the concrete jungles and open landscapes of South Africa.
RULES OF THE ROAD
South Africans drive on the left-hand side of the road. Seatbelts are compulsory, and mobile phone use prohibited while driving. All speed limits in South Africa are in kilometres per hour. Generally, the speed limit for urban areas is 60km/h, secondary roads 100km/h and national highways 120km/h. Always keep an eye out for the designated speed limit, as these may vary depending on road conditions and law enforcement does take place along the roads. Remember, adhering to the speed limit is a Sasol Solar Challenge regulation!
DRIVER'S LICENCE
You may use a valid driver’s license issued in your own country as long as it has a photograph, the signature of the holder, and is in English. For other languages, obtain an international driving license before you leave home. You should always have your driver’s license with you when you are driving, as you will be asked to produce it if you are pulled over by traffic police for any reason.
SOUTH AFRICAN CLIMATE
During the route from Johannesburg to Stellenbosch, we travel through different climates. This means that on just this one event, you may feel colder, or hotter, on different days. We suggest packing accordingly. September is summer in South Africa with rainfall, warm and dry afternoons.
TIME ZONES
South African local time (Bravo or GMT+2), not to be confused with Zulu Time, is two hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) or Zulu Time (Z),and does not change throughout or in different parts of the country.