The Simola Hillclimb has opened applications for competitors wanting to take part in its 16th edition, scheduled to take place from April 30 to May 3 2026 in Knysna.
The event, regarded as one of South Africa’s premier motorsport fixtures, remains strictly invitational. Prospective competitors must apply via the official website before January 31. Accepted entrants will be notified by February 14.
Event sporting director Leon Smith said the success of the Hillclimb rests on keeping the line-up diverse.
“Over the past 15 editions the Simola Hillclimb’s growth in support and popularity has been achieved by keeping the line-up and variety of cars and drivers fresh and interesting. This has made it the must-attend event of the year for local and international crews, as well as spectators,” he said.
Classic Car Friday
Classic Car Friday takes place on May 1 and will again feature 65 entries in 10 classes. Vehicles are grouped according to type, age and engine capacity, with categories ranging from road-going saloons to open wheel racers and GT cars. A special handicap-based class caters for pre-World War 2 vehicles.
For 2026 the organisers have widened eligibility in some classes to allow more competitors.
“The event continues to evolve and we have expanded the eligible dates in most of the classes in Classic Car Friday for next year to broaden the scope of entries,” said Smith.
“We have specifically adapted the regulations to accommodate the legendary Stannic Group N production cars that produced thrilling battles on the country’s circuits during the 1990s and early 2000s.”
Charles Arton is the reigning Classic Car Friday champion, having secured his second Classic Conqueror title this year in a 1979 March 79a with a time of 44.436 seconds.
King of the Hill
The main “King of the Hill” competition will run over the weekend of May 2 and 3, with 84 slots divided into three categories: production cars, modified saloons and single-seaters/sports prototypes.
- Class A is reserved for standard road-legal cars, ranging from hot hatches to high-performance electric vehicles. Clint Weston won the 2025 edition in a Mercedes-AMG GT 63 SE E Performance with a 43.174 second run, 0.239 seconds shy of the record held by JP van der Walt in a Porsche 911 Turbo S.
- Class B features modified saloon cars, including race-prepared and street-tuned machines. Pieter Zeelie is the champion in this category, setting a record time of 37.090 seconds in his Toyota MR2 Super GT. Five-time winner Franco Scribante, in his Nissan GT-R, and Reghard Roets, also in a GT-R, are expected to be among the leading contenders in 2026.
- Class C covers single-seaters, sports cars and prototypes. Andre Bezuidenhout still holds the outright hill record of 34.161 seconds, set in 2022 in his Gould GR55. After missing the past two editions with engine issues, he is expected to return in 2026, where he is likely to face strong competition from Robert Wolk in the InvestChem Gould GR55. Byron Mitchell is the reigning champion in this class, winning in 2025 with his Reynard Formula VW.
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