Now in its 14th year, the Simola Hillclimb continues to combine adrenaline-fuelled competition with showcasing some of the most appealing classics out there in a heady mix that keeps local petrolheads coming…
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Since bursting onto South Africa’s motorsport scene in 2009, the Simola Hillclimb has grown into what can only be described as one of the country’s premier motorsport events. Racing up the 1.9 km hill set within Knysna’s picturesque Simola Estate, the annual event has attracted many competitors and participants from around the world. Moreover, the event is regarded as one of the best hillclimbs – globally!
But while the Simola Hillclimb is presently in the best shape it’s ever been, it’s been anything but a smooth run-up to this year’s event. Between 2010 and 2012, Renault came onboard as the event’s first title sponsor, but sadly, the French automaker’s late withdrawal left the 2013 event in poor shape, resulting in its cancellation.
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Jaguar’s run as title sponsor from 2014 to 2019 went some way to bringing Simola back from the brink, but it would also mark the last time a manufacturer was involved in such a capacity. From 2020 onwards, the event would be known as the Simola Hillclimb, opening the door for more OEMs to get involved – but not as title sponsors. This more open approach was seen as a positive step towards securing the event’s future, but it unfortunately coincided with its second-ever cancellation, this time owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ian Shrosbee, who founded the Simola Hillclimb alongside Chick Ramsay and Francis Cusens, told CAR about the golden rule that forms this event’s backbone: “I think our golden rule is everyone must have fun. And I think that’s been key to it, you know.
“We try to make it accessible. So, like the Friday parade in Knysna’s city centre, it’s free. And anybody is welcome, even if they can’t afford to come up to the Hill. So that’s always been a big part of it: to take the event to the people. Obviously, the heavy-hitters get competitive when racing, but we just try very hard to keep it fun and showcase such a variety of cars.”
Simola Hillclimb: Classic Highlights
As always, an array of cars, of all shapes and sizes, make up the contingent that tackles the infamous Simola Hill. And every year, there is something unique that whets petrolheads’ appetites. For 2024, the event’s 14th running, Shrosbee, a shrewd businessman, had his original 1992 Formula 1 car driven up the Hill by South African racer, Robert Wolk. The car, a Sasol Jordan 192, was used by the Jordan F1 team for the 1992 season, with South African petroleum giant Sasol joining the outfit as title sponsor between 1992 and 1994. However, the Yamaha V12 engine that powered the car three decades ago is replaced by an official Ford V8 F1 engine.
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During lunch on Saturday, 4 May, Wolk took the 192 up the course, delighting the crowd as the V8’s roar echoed and bounced off the Simola hills. Because it was an exhibition, the Sasol Jordan 192 did not set an official time. Among the other gathered machinery was a collection of modified saloons and outright sports cars on display throughout the weekend, starting with the heroes of yesteryear that made up Classic Car Friday. The oldest car in the field was a 1926 Austin Seven, and the newest a 1994 Ferrari F355.
While some drivers took to the Hill for fun, others, like André Bezuidenhout in his 1976 Lola T460, and Franco Scribante in the 1970 Chevron B19, went for the Classic Conqueror title. Bezuidenhout failed to defend his crown, with Scribante claiming the top step of the podium for the seventh time. He completed the 1.9 km run in 41.937 seconds at an average speed of 163.1 km/h. Robert Wolk, driving a Pillbeam MP58 (Infinity Indycar V8), won his first King of the Hill title on Sunday, having conquered the Hill in a time of 37.133 seconds. Bezuidenhout holds the outright Simola Hillclimb record, having set a time of 34.161 seconds at an average speed of 200.228 km/h in his 2007 Gould GR55 in 2022.
Simola Hillclimb: Not just a man’s world
A positive trend that’s been taking the Simola Hillclimb by storm in recent years is the welcome increase in female competitors. Competing in what was once deemed a “man’s sport”, the women are proving that they are just as good – if not better! – than some of their counterparts. In 2024, four women took to Simola, competing in both Classic Car Friday and the King of the Hill Shootout. In Classic Car Friday, Lucie Runnalls took to the track in the 1926 Austin Seven, while Jennifer Abbot and Paige Lindenberg raced a 1970 Porsche 914 GT and 1968 Ford Fairlane V8, respectively.
Against the big guns for the weekend’s big Shootout, Lindenberg took to the Hill in a Ford Mustang Shelby Speedster (one of two in SA), pushing 540 kW to the rear wheels! Clare Vale raced up the Hill in a 2013 Subaru BRZ. Planning for the event’s 2025 edition has already begun, with the proposed dates set for 1 – 4 May. Given that it will be the Simola Hillclimb’s 15th anniversary, we can expect it to be a suitably grand affair!
