The Sasol Solar Challenge (SSC) is proud to announce Bridgestone as the official Marshall andControl Stop Sponsor for the 2024 event, with Think Bike serving as the Official Service Partner. These invaluable partnerships contributed significantly to the seamless execution, safety, and overall success of this year’s challenge, reinforcing the event’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.
As a key sponsor, Bridgestone played a pivotal role in the event’s logistics, ensuring smooth operations at control stops where teams paused for check-ins, rest, and regulation compliance. Bridgestone’s expertise not only facilitated essential rest points for participants but also supported the event’s marshalling activities, ensuring that all solar-powered vehicles adhered to safety and performance standards throughout the competition.
Rob Walker, Event Organiser for the Sasol Solar Challenge, expressed his gratitude for Bridgestone’s support: “We are thrilled to have had Bridgestone as an essential partner for the 2024 Sasol Solar Challenge. Their involvement was instrumental in maintaining the safety and efficiency of our control stops, allowing the teams to focus on their performance and the incredible technology they’ve brought to the competition.” 
Equally important was the role of Think Bike, the official service partner for the event. Think Bike provided expert traffic management and safety support throughout the challenge, ensuring the safety of participants, spectators, and the public. Their highly skilled marshals coordinated safety operations on the ground, supporting a secure environment for all involved.
A representative from Think Bike, Stanely Paton shared the team’s enthusiasm for the partnership:
“Think Bike can proudly affirm, in partnership with Bridgestone, 2024 Sasol Solar Challenge saw our team safely and effectively marsharlled the various participating teams from Secunda to Cape Town on a new picturesque route via the Northwestern part of South Africa.”
“The presence of the marshalls once again ensured a secure environment for the solar vehicle teams to completion of their challenge. However, in collaboration of the various traffic authorities along the route, the event proved to be a smooth well executed challenge, and therefore are grateful to all who granted us the authority to safely manage the traffic through their beautiful towns and cities. It is with bated breath that we look forward to be of service at the next event.” Paton concluded.
Sara Didiza, Head of Marketing at Bridgestone South Africa, highlighted the significance of their involvement in the challenge: “Partnering with the Sasol Solar Challenge perfectly aligns with Bridgestone’s values of sustainability and innovation. Our contribution to mobility solutions was vital in ensuring that teams not only reached their destination but did so safely and efficiently.”
With Bridgestone and Think Bike’s involvement, the 2024 Sasol Solar Challenge achieved new heights in both operational excellence and safety, contributing to the event’s reputation as a premier showcase of solar-powered transportation technology.
