KNYSNA, South Africa, 1 October 2025 – The Simola Hillclimb, South Africa’s premier motoring and motorsport lifestyle event, has officially opened applications for its 16th edition, set to take place from 30 April to 3 May 2026. Following the success of its 15th edition, the event continues to grow in stature both locally and internationally, drawing top drivers, legendary cars, and enthusiastic spectators to the scenic hills of Knysna.
Aspiring competitors can now submit their entries via the official website, www.simolahillclimb.com. Applications will be carefully reviewed by the organisers to ensure a world-class spectacle, with the closing date set for 31 January 2026. Accepted participants will receive invitations by 14 February 2026.
“Over the past 15 editions, the Simola Hillclimb’s popularity has been built on keeping the mix of cars and drivers exciting and fresh,” says Leon Smith, Simola Hillclimb’s sporting director. “This approach has made the event a must-attend for crews and spectators alike. For 2026, we’ve expanded the eligible dates across most classes in Classic Car Friday and adapted regulations to include the legendary Stannic Group N Production Cars, which produced some of the most memorable racing battles in the 1990s and early 2000s.”
Classic Car Friday
Classic Car Friday takes place on 1 May 2026, offering 65 coveted slots across ten classes based on vehicle type, age, and engine capacity. From road-going cars and racing saloons to open-wheel single-seaters, sports cars, and GTs, all entrants compete against the clock along the 1.9 km twisty Simola Hill.
A special pre-World War II class operates on a handicap system to level the playing field for these Golden Oldies, which often vary greatly in performance. Charles Arton, the reigning Classic Conqueror, claimed his second title in 2025 behind the wheel of his 1979 March 79a, a decade after his first triumph in 2015, clocking an impressive 44.436 seconds.
King of the Hill
King of the Hill spans two days, 2–3 May, and showcases South Africa’s most powerful, wild, and spectacular machines alongside an elite roster of drivers. Past competitors include eight-time World Rallycross champion Johan Kristoffersson, WRX and World Rally Champion Petter Solberg, and former F1 star Mika Salo.
The 84 available slots are split across three categories:
- Class A – Standard Production Cars: Eight classes cover everything from compact hot hatches to supercars, hybrids, and EVs. Clint Weston is the reigning champion in this category, having piloted the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 SE E Performance to a 43.174-second victory in its South African debut—just 0.239 seconds shy of the current record set by JP van der Walt in 2024.
- Class B – Modified Saloon Cars: Featuring 10 classes, this category allows highly tuned street-legal machines, race-tuned saloons, alternative energy vehicles, and even bakkies and SUVs to compete. Pieter Zeelie claimed the category in 2025 with a record-breaking 37.090 seconds in his Toyota MR2 Super GT, while five-time winner Franco Scribante aims to reclaim victory in his Nissan R35 GT-R.
- Class C – Single-seaters, Sports Cars, and Sports Prototypes: Seven classes accommodate thoroughbred single-seaters, sports cars, and alternative energy vehicles. Andre Bezuidenhout, holder of the outright 1.9 km hillclimb record at 34.161 seconds in his Gould GR55, will return in 2026 following mechanical setbacks in 2024 and 2025. Robert Wolk and Byron Mitchell, current champion in a Reynard Formula VW (41.770 seconds), will also be key contenders in this fiercely competitive category.
The 16th Simola Hillclimb promises another thrilling chapter in South Africa’s motorsport calendar, combining speed, spectacle, and the scenic beauty of the Knysna hills.
For entry details, regulations, and spectator information, visit www.simolahillclimb.com.
