SIMOLA HILLCLIMB 2025 IS SET TO BE STAR-STUDDED AND ACTION PACKED!
It’s the ultimate test of man and machine - where high-performance road cars, from supercars to everyday heroes, get unleashed in an all-out battle against the clock. Welcome to the 15th edition of the Simola Hillclimb, where raw speed, precision, and adrenaline-fuelled competition define South Africa’s premier motorsport spectacle. The action kicks off on Friday, 2 May, with scrutineering in Knysna, setting the stage for the much-anticipated parade along Waterfront Drive. Expect tyre-smoking, rev-happy fanfare as competitors show off their machinery ahead of the main event. Saturday, 3 May, is when the hunt for glory begins. Four practice runs give drivers a chance to fine-tune their approach before three qualifying rounds narrow the field. Then, on Sunday, the tension ramps up with three more qualifying runs leading into the Class Finals, where only the best advance. The ultimate showdown? The Top 10 Shootout - where the fastest of the fast battle for the King of the Hill crown. With all cars required to be showroom-standard - road-legal rubber included - the Road Car and Supercar category remains one of the most fiercely contested and relatable battles at Simola. Mercedes-Benz is back for its third consecutive year, bringing serious firepower in the form of the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance - a hybrid beast churning out 600 kW and 1,420 Nm. Behind the wheel? Clint Weston, who thrilled fans last year in the four-door variant will now aim to conquer Simola in the two-door coupe. With reigning champion JP van der Walt not competing, Weston has a clear shot at taking the crown. Mercedes-AMG also lines up in Class A8 for hybrids and EVs, featuring Natalie Weston in the AMG GLC 63 S E Performance and Courtney Nicholl in the AMG C63 S E Performance - both boasting 500 kW and 1,020 Nm from their hybrid-assisted turbo-fours.
MG makes its Simola debut, with Joshua Lowe piloting the all-electric Cyberster Roadster (375 kW, AWD) and Johannes Pretorius in the unreleased MG4 XPower EV. Class A7 (boosted V8s and up) is muscle-car central, with Shelby South Africa and Lindenberg Racing fielding a squadron of supercharged Shelby Mustangs, including the Super Snake models and an exclusive Shelby Terlingua driven by James Temple. They’ll be up against Eugene Herbert’s Roush Mustang and Garth Mackintosh’s McLaren 720S. Naturally aspirated V8s in Class A6 see a Ferrari 458 (Jon Williams) take on Simola stalwarts Gordon Nicholson (Audi R8 V10 Plus) and Shiraz Bawa (BMW M5 E39). Porsche brings the fight in Class A5, with entries including a 2014 Cayman GTS, a 2000 911 GT3, and a 2018 911 GT3 RS, while Ridwaan Babamia joins in a BMW M3 E46. BMW South Africa steps in officially with a 405 kW M4 Competition xDrive (Leyton Fourie) in Class A4. Meanwhile, Martin van Zummeren transitions from Modified Saloons to a Nissan R33 GT-R.
Among the competitors, Guy Davies stands out—not just for his car, a Porsche 911 Carrera, but for his story. A rugby injury left him paraplegic, but that hasn’t stopped him from pursuing his motorsport dream. With hand controls fitted to his 911 and support from Motorsport South Africa, Davies aims to set a competitive time, proving that passion and determination can overcome any challenge.
In Class A3, expect a BMW showdown as Cristiano Verolini enters an M2 Competition, Ebrahim Mayat fields an M4 CSL, and Paul Munro swaps his E46 M3 for a 2020 Toyota Supra. Piet Potgieter’s Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio adds Italian flair to the mix. With no entries in Class A2, the spotlight shifts to Class A1, where Suzuki continues its commitment to the Hillclimb, fielding a Swift Sport and a naturally aspirated Swift for media drivers Ernest Page and Jeanette Kok-Kritzinger. Stellantis enters the fray with an Opel Corsa GS Irmscher (Siyabonga Mankonkwana), while BMW SA supports Bradleigh Boshoff in a MINI John Cooper Works. Other entries include a Fiat 500 Abarth, a Porsche 718 Cayman, an Alfa Romeo 4C, and a Ford Fiesta ST. The 15th edition of the Simola Hillclimb runs from 1 to 4 May 2025. Expect high drama, intense battles, and record-breaking runs as some of the fastest road-legal machines in South Africa go head-to-head. For more details and ticket info, visit www.simolahillclimb.com.
Take a look at the YouTube video that covers the full King of the Hill shootout segment of the competition last year. While there are loads of different classes and sections to the race, this is the one fans attend to watch. If you have a free 7 hours, click through: Simola HillClimb 2024 King of the Hill - The start of the Crowning. Practice and Qualifying day. | Simola Hillclimb
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