Engines Roar and Tempers Soar

Get ready for the ride of the year as the Simola Hillclimb gears up for its 14th adrenaline-pumping edition in Knysna, South Africa, from the 2nd to the 5th of May, 2024. This event isn’t just a race, it’s a high-octane journey through nearly a century of motoring heritage, where classic beauty meets raw power in a spectacular clash of ages.

Imagine the scene: the serene town of Knysna transformed into the ultimate motorsport arena, where the air buzzes with anticipation and the roar of engines from 1926 to 1994 echoes through the hills. The Classic Car Friday is set to be a battleground where titans clash, with Andre Bezuidenhout and Franco Scribante at the helm, steering their mechanical beasts towards glory. Bezuidenhout, armed with his trusty Cosworth-Powered 1976 Lola T460, is the man with a target on his back, having clinched the Classic Conqueror title in 2023. Not far behind, Scribante in his formidable 1970 Chevron B19 sportscar, eyes the prize with a rebuilt engine and a heart full of vengeance after last year’s engine failure cut his challenge short.

But the plot thickens as they’re not alone in this high-speed quest for supremacy. The lineup is a veritable who’s who of motorsport legends, including two past winners in their Formula Atlantic single-seaters and a host of others across nine electrifying classes. From the powerful purr of Rui Campos’ 1974 Porsche 911 RSR replica to the iconic roar of Farouk Dangor’s 1989 BMW E30 M3, each class promises battles royale that are sure to have spectators on the edge of their seats.

As if torn from the pages of a classic motorsport saga, the H1 class for Pre-World War II cars levels the playing field with a handicap format, turning it into a cerebral chess match where precision and strategy could crown an underdog as champion. Among the contenders, Patrick Gearing’s 1935 Riley TT Sprite and Greig Smith’s supercharged 1928 Austin 7 single-seater are ones to watch, with modifications and raw talent promising to upset the odds.

In a world where speed and beauty collide, the Simola Hillclimb is not just a race, it’s a testament to the enduring spirit of motorsport, a celebration of mechanical marvels that have captured the imaginations of generations. This event is a pilgrimage for the petrol-hearted, a gathering of gearheads, and a festival of speed that honors the legacy of racing.

So, if you’re craving the smell of burnt rubber, the sight of classic cars tearing up the tar, and the sound of engines pushing the limits of mechanical engineering, Knysna is where you need to be this May. It’s more than a race, it’s a historical spectacle, a tribute to the legends of motorsport, and a thrilling ride into the heart of classic car racing. The 2024 Simola Hillclimb is shaping up to be a classic battle of ages, where glory awaits those brave enough to chase it up the hill. See you at the finish line!

The 14th edition of the Simola Hillclimb takes place from 2 to 5 May 2024.

More information and online ticket sales are available on the Simola Hillclimb website: www.simolahillclimb.com

Images : Supplied

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