KNYSNA, South Africa, 4 April 2025 – The 15th edition of the Simola Hillclimb is set to deliver one of the most electrifying battles in its history as long-time rivals Andre Bezuidenhout and Robert Wolk go head-to-head in equal machinery. For the first time, both drivers will be piloting Gould GR55B hillclimb racing cars, ensuring a fiercely competitive contest in the Single-Seater, Sports Car, and Sports Prototype category.
Bezuidenhout is no stranger to victory at Simola, having secured six consecutive wins between 2017 and 2023, including setting the outright record of 34.161 seconds in 2022 at an astonishing average speed of 200.228 km/h. However, his pursuit of a seventh title was thwarted last year when his Gould suffered engine issues in pre-event testing. This opened the door for Wolk to claim his maiden Simola Hillclimb victory in the 1989 Pilbeam MP58, a challenging but potent machine equipped with a modern Nissan Infinity Indycar V8 engine.
This year, Wolk will be taking the fight to Bezuidenhout in a 2005 Gould GR55B, freshly acquired by Investchem team owner Ian Schofield. While the car is currently being rebuilt in the UK, Wolk is optimistic about its potential, despite limited testing opportunities before the event. The Gould’s lighter weight, superior aerodynamics, and sequential gearbox are expected to provide a significant performance advantage over his previous Pilbeam, setting the stage for a thrilling duel.
New Blood in Single-Seater Racing
Beyond the headline battle, the Investchem team is introducing an exciting new dimension to South African motorsport with the debut of the MSA4 single-seater race cars. These innovative machines, developed by WCT Engineering, feature a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder Volkswagen engine and a halo-inspired design for enhanced safety. Three MSA4 cars will be competing in class C1, driven by 2024 Formula 1600 championship runner-up Klayden Cole Ensor-Smith, Investchem development driver Simphiwe Mohlahlo, and Rick Morris, father of former SA Formula Ford and Production Car racer Steve Morris.
Meanwhile, class C2 will witness another intense battle as Ian Schofield aims to replicate last year’s impressive second-place finish in his 2018 Mygale SJ Formula Ford. He will be up against Byron Mitchell and Allen Meyer, both piloting Formula VW machines, as they contest for four-cylinder naturally aspirated supremacy.
Campos Poised for Another Podium Finish
In the sports car and sports prototype category (class C6), Rui Campos is once again a strong contender for a podium finish. Having finished third overall in last year’s Top 10 Shootout, Campos returns in his ferocious 1990 Shelby CanAm, powered by a 5.0-litre V8 Ford Mustang engine. He will face stiff competition from Stefan Wintershoven in a 1991 Chevrolet Corvette (6.0-litre V8) and Johan Bekker in a turbocharged 2.0-litre Honda-powered 2010 Ariel Atom.
An Unmissable Motorsport Spectacle
With an unparalleled mix of cutting-edge single-seaters, historic race cars, and raw V8 power, the 2025 Simola Hillclimb promises to be one of the most competitive and exhilarating editions yet. Whether Wolk can challenge Bezuidenhout for the ultimate glory remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the battle for King of the Hill will be nothing short of spectacular.
The 15th edition of the Simola Hillclimb takes place from 1 to 4 May 2025. For more information and online ticket sales, visit the official Simola Hillclimb website: www.simolahillclimb.com
