In the scenic coastal town of Knysna, South Africa, Castrol is set to once again take centre stage at the 16th edition of the Simola Hillclimb, running from 30 April to 3 May 2026. As the Official Engine Oils and Lubricants Partner, Castrol celebrates its seventh consecutive year of involvement in an event renowned for pushing both cars and drivers to their limits.
The Simola Hillclimb is a melting pot of motorsport excellence, drawing top local and international talent, alongside an array of classic, modern, and purpose-built racing machines. For Castrol, this high-octane environment offers the perfect proving ground to demonstrate the resilience and performance of its premium lubricants under extreme conditions.
Melanie van Straaten, Country Head of Castrol Southern Africa, highlights the unique appeal of the event: “What makes the Simola Hillclimb special and keeps Castrol coming back is the courage of competitors to place their vehicles under pressure to showcase the best they can offer.” Gamase Sodaba, Marketing Manager, adds that the event provides a high-impact engagement platform, giving Castrol direct access to customers, industry partners, and motorsport enthusiasts who associate the brand with excellence and high performance.
Beyond the thrill of the race, Castrol’s involvement reflects a proud heritage of innovation and motorsport success. With 126 years of engineering expertise, the company leverages events like the Simola Hillclimb to demonstrate how motorsport informs product development, while simultaneously offering technical insights that reinforce its leadership in lubricants. The partnership also provides a premium experience for top customers and industry guests, immersing them in the adrenaline-fuelled atmosphere of one of South Africa’s premier motorsport events.
Castrol’s support extends to the official Simola Hillclimb Media Centre, a key hub for journalists, photographers, and broadcasters covering the event. Sponsoring this space underlines the company’s commitment to motorsport storytelling, ensuring high-quality content creation while reinforcing brand visibility throughout the competition.
Ian Shrosbree, MD of the Knysna Speed Festival, which owns and runs the event, acknowledges Castrol’s enduring support: “Castrol remains one of our longest-standing partners, and we greatly appreciate the company’s ongoing support and enthusiasm for the Simola Hillclimb. We look forward to making the most of Castrol’s seventh year as a partner as we deliver an even better and more successful event this year.”
As the countdown begins to the 2026 Simola Hillclimb, Castrol continues to embody the spirit of performance, innovation, and motorsport passion, standing alongside drivers who dare to push their limits and setting the benchmark for excellence both on and off the hill.
