KNYSNA – The quiet coastal town of Knysna is about to get a lot louder. With less than a month to go, final preparations are underway for the 16th Simola Hillclimb, an event that has become a cornerstone of South African motorsport.
The festivities officially kick off on Thursday 30 April, but the real adrenaline starts pumping on Friday 1 May, with the legendary Classic Car Friday.
This year, 65 iconic vehicles – ranging from a century-old 1926 Austin 7 to a sleek 2002 Alfa Romeo 156 GTA – will tackle the grueling 1.9 km Simola Hill, not for a museum display, but for the glory of the 2026 Classic Conqueror title.
All eyes are on the fierce rivalry between Franco Scribante and André Bezuidenhout. Scribante, the most successful driver in the event’s history with seven wins, is looking to reclaim the top step in his 1970 Chevron B19.
Bezuidenhout, who narrowly missed victory last year in wet conditions, is back with his 1976 Lola T460 Formula Atlantic. With last year’s winner Charles Arton absent from the field, the path to the podium is wide open, though Bezuidenhout faces stiff competition in Class H9 from the likes of Ian Schofield and Josh Dovey.
“I am under no illusions as to the change in class and speed,” says Margie White, a fan-favorite making the jump from a pre-war Austin 7 to a 1967 Mallock Lotus Mark 6b. “I will be happy to just go faster than I have so far.”
For fans of racing saloons, Class H8 is the one to watch. BB Motorsport is bringing two legendary Nissan GT-Rs out of the museum and onto the asphalt:
– Reghard ‘Reggie’ Roets in a 2000 R34 Skyline GT-R.
– Arnold du Plessis in a 1995 R33 Skyline GT-R.
“There is definitely some FOMO happening when we hear the classic cars screaming up the hill,” says Demar du Plessis, BB Motorsport Performance Manager. “Reggie has a secret love affair with the R34, and the way she loves being wrestled in an old-school way is right up his alley!”
Beyond the high-speed competition, the Simola Hillclimb is defined by the dedication of the community. Sporting Director Leon Smith highlighted the contribution of enthusiasts like Margie White and Brian Bruce, who not only compete on Friday but stay on to marshal for the “King of the Hill” event on Saturday and Sunday.
The oldest cars in the field compete in Class H1 (Pre-WWII) using a unique handicap format. Instead of a pure sprint, drivers establish target times during qualifying. The winner is the one who most accurately matches their target time during the finals, ensuring a 1926 Austin 7 can compete fairly against a 1930 Ford Model A.
For fans wanting to witness the spectacle in person, tickets and further information are available at www.simolahillclimb.com.
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