The 2025 Simola Hillclimb proved once again why it holds a special place on the South African motorsport calendar—and for BB Motorsport, it was nothing short of a triumphant weekend. The team left Knysna with a hard-fought class win, two podium finishes, and personal bests for both its headline cars: the formidable Nissan GT-R and the monstrous Nissan Patrol Blackhawk.
As the performance division of the BB Group, BB Motorsport arrived at this year’s event with one clear mission: to perform at their peak while showcasing the results of months of development. And that’s exactly what they delivered.
Roets Dominates in the GT-R
Behind the wheel of the BB Motorsport Nissan GT-R, Reghard Roets was a standout from the get-go. Continuously shaving time off with each run, Roets’ relentless pursuit of performance culminated in a blistering 37.968-second charge up the hill—a personal best that earned him a commanding win in Class B5.
Despite encountering a few setup challenges, the team worked methodically throughout the weekend, fine-tuning the car while notably reducing the so-called “pool noodle antics” from previous events. The result? A car that was not only faster than ever but impressively reliable—an area that had previously held the team back.
“We are very happy with our class win. Although we would have liked to claim the overall King of the Hill victory, our first objective was to keep the car in one piece,” said Roets. “The car was also very reliable, which is something that has been a big hurdle for us in the past as we battled with mechanical issues. Most of our development work in the last year was focused on sorting that out.”
In the prestigious King of the Hill Shootout, Roets delivered a near-flawless run but was edged out by Pieter Zeelie’s ultra-tuned Toyota MR2, who set the benchmark at 37.090 seconds.
“Well done to all the competitors, especially Pieter Zeelie who gave us a new benchmark to chase. In this sport the development never stops and the goalposts have been moved once more. Fortunately, the BB Motorsport team is up for the challenge and we already have some plans up our sleeve,” Roets added.
Blackhawk Patrol Muscles into the Spotlight
Equally impressive was the Nissan Patrol Blackhawk, piloted by BB Motor Group Owner and CEO Arnold du Plessis. Far from your average SUV, this road-legal behemoth—enhanced by an in-house developed supercharger and aggressive body kit—roared to a second-place finish in Class B9 with a time of 54.93 seconds, its fastest ever at Simola.
Driven all the way from Pretoria and back under its own power, the Patrol Blackhawk didn’t just look the part—it proved its mettle on the hill too.
“The focus for this year was reliability and it paid dividends,” explained BB Motorsport Manager Demar du Plessis. “Both cars ran in the majority of the sessions across the two-day event, with minimal hiccups, allowing us to build toward personal bests.”
The ongoing development of the Patrol’s gearbox has clearly paid off, with smooth, consistent performance that’s every bit as impressive as its aggressive visual presence.
Simola: A Motorsport Mecca
For BB Motorsport, Simola remains more than just a race—it’s a proving ground for innovation, resilience, and raw performance.
“The Simola Hillclimb is truly the pinnacle of motorsport in South Africa and a great platform on which to showcase our brand to the wider public,” said Arnold du Plessis.
The event’s world-class livestreaming coverage, passionate spectators, and fiercely competitive field make it an annual must-attend for the BB Motorsport team—both for the adrenaline rush and the opportunity to push boundaries in front of a national audience.
Powered by Passion—and Partnerships
BB Motorsport’s stellar weekend wouldn’t have been possible without the steadfast support of its sponsors: BB Group, Sparco, Motul South Africa, and Linney Tuning. Together, they form a powerful alliance dedicated to pushing South African motorsport to new heights.
With momentum on their side, personal bests in the bag, and eyes already set on future goals, BB Motorsport has once again proven why they’re one of the teams to watch—on the hill and beyond.
