The 2026 Simola Hillclimb — running from Thurdsay 30 April to Sunday 3 May in Knysna — marks the sixteenth edition of South Africa’s premier motorsport lifestyle event and one of the most celebrated hillclimbs on the global calendar. Today is the final and most thrilling day of competition, as drivers go all-out to be crowned King of the Hill.
Vision that defied doubters
When the first edition launched, sceptics questioned whether a world-class motorsport event could take root in Knysna. The answer has since been written in tyre marks and record times. Through bold vision and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence, the Simola Hillclimb has earned its place firmly on the international motorsport map.
Fifteen years in the making
The 2025 edition — the event’s 15th anniversary — was a year of both triumph and heartache. A record 20 244 spectators attended across three days, tickets sold out faster than ever, and new track records were set. Yet the event was also touched by the tragic loss of a competitor, a sobering reminder of the courage motorsport demands. The milestone was further marked by the unveiling of a refreshed logo, a contemporary evolution of the 2011 design that honours the event’s Bugatti-inspired roots.
What makes Simola special
The Simola Hillclimb is unlike any other event on the motorsport calendar. It is a rare combination of raw competition and curated lifestyle experience — and that distinction is what keeps people coming back year after year.
- A world-class track where top local and international drivers compete head-to-head
- A dynamic mix of machinery — from classic icons to cutting-edge race cars
- A lifestyle experience that blends motorsport, luxury, and community
- A platform for OEMs to showcase innovation and performance to an engaged, passionate audience
- A growing global audience, fuelled by extensive TV, live stream, and digital coverage
The event has also attracted some of the biggest names in global motorsport. Rally legends Petter Solberg and Johan Kristofferssen, and Formula One veteran Mika Salo have not only praised the Hillclimb — they’ve returned to be part of it. Their enthusiasm speaks volumes, and it’s a sentiment shared by a growing number of drivers and brands who now count Simola as a highlight of their motorsport year.
It all comes down to this
The sixteenth edition is delivering on every promise — record attendance, fierce competition, and times tumbling with every run. Now, on the final day, drivers will dig deep and leave everything on the hill. From the roar of engines to the cheers of the crowd, the Simola Hillclimb has always been more than a race. Today, that celebration reaches its thrilling conclusion.
Classic Car Friday results
The weekend opened in style with five class victories across a stunning field of historic machinery. Ian Schofield was quickest overall, claiming Class H9 in his March 77B (40.881s), while Franco Scribante took Class H10 in a Chevron B19 (41.222s) — an early show of intent from the Scribante family. Reghard Roets won Class H8 in a Nissan Skyline R34 GTR (45.290s), Dawie Joubert claimed Class H7 in a Lotus Elise (47.808s), and Rui Campos rounded out the day with Class H6 honours in a Porsche 911 RSR (48.266s).
King of the Hill — Qualifying reports
Qualifying 1 set the tone immediately. Pieter Zeelie (Toyota MR2) posted the fastest official time of 38.747s, with Franco (39.228s) and Silvio Scribante (39.725s) close behind. Robert Wolk (Gould GR55) was the class of the field but had his 35.662s deleted for a track-limits violation. Clint Weston (Mercedes-AMG) led Class A at 42.273s.
Qualifying 2 produced one of the weekend’s defining moments — just 0.035 seconds separating Pieter Zeelie (39.115s) and Franco Scribante (39.150s) in Class B. Wolk posted a clean 35.891s to lead overall, while Jens Klingmann lost his Class A placing to a time deletion, promoting Leyton Fourie (BMW M2, 45.740s).
Qualifying 3 brought a Class B shake-up. Silvio Scribante (Audi RS3, 38.868s) leapfrogged defending champion Zeelie (39.149s) to lead the class, while Aldo Scribante was disqualified. Wolk again led overall at 35.314s, and Clint Weston (Mercedes-AMG GT 63 SE, 42.410s) extended his Class A advantage — quicker than the existing class record — ahead of Cristiano Verolini (BMW M4, 43.979s) and Ricardo Giannoccaro (Lamborghini Huracán, 44.124s).
The questions finals day must answer:
Can Robert Wolk crack the outright record of 34.161s? Will Silvio Scribante hold off Pieter Zeelie in Class B? Can Clint Weston seal a new Class A record? And can the Scribante family regroup after Aldo’s disqualification?
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