Solar Auto Race Captivates Crowds

The South Africa 2010 Solar Challenge ended yesterday with a Japanese challenger beating out the pack for victory, but the three South African cars said a different goal on their part was reached.

The Tokai Challenger, the defending champion from the previous year’s race, is the world’s fastest solar car reaching speeds of up to 160 km/h. And while the South African challengers did not win the race for speed, the local participants felt they had a greater achievement: sparking interests for careers in science and engineering. Designer of the German School in Johannesburg’s solar car, Hein Hiestermann, said: "If you asked 10 kids in the team last year if engineering was even on their list of careers you’d get a resounding no from all but two. Now all of them would make it their first choice."

Teenagers interviewed by local news sources had many interested not only in engineering, but in how it can be applied to renewable energy. Karabo Sekhukhuni told the Times Online, "This experience has changed my life. Renewable energy is clearly the future. Who knew that engineering could be so much fun?"

The first race was held in 2008, and will continue to be a bi-annual race organized by the Advanced Energy Foundation and the Innovation Hub.

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