KNYSNA, South Africa, 17 July 2025 – In the fiercely competitive world of motorsport, the pursuit of speed, precision, and victory often overshadows everything else. But at the Simola Hillclimb—South Africa’s most iconic motoring and motorsport lifestyle event—it’s not just the stopwatch that matters. Here, camaraderie, heritage, and passion create an atmosphere unlike any other. And few embody that spirit more completely than Craig Czank.
With a motorsport career spanning several decades and disciplines, Czank has raced everything from motorcycles and time-attack machines to drag cars and hillclimb specials. He is a familiar and much-loved face at Simola, having taken part in 11 of the 15 editions of the event, and his loyalty runs deep. “There’s no other event like it,” he says. “It’s more than just a race—it’s a community, a tradition, a family.”
More Than a Race
Renowned for its eclectic mix of machines—from pre-war classics to cutting-edge hypercars—the Simola Hillclimb is recognised as one of the top hillclimb events globally. The 1.9 km ribbon of road offers an unforgiving challenge, drawing elite competitors from across South Africa and beyond.
“We all race in different series, but this is the one time of year where everyone comes together,” Czank reflects. “We share coffees, pizzas, advice, and a lot of laughs. That’s rare in this sport.”
That spirit was tested—and proven—again this year when Czank’s Lotus Exige suffered gearbox damage on Friday afternoon. Within the hour, BB Motorsport offered assistance, and five rival teams called with offers to help. “That doesn’t happen in other forms of racing,” he says. “It’s the Simola spirit.”
Precision, Passion, Performance
From his base in Klerksdorp, Czank heads up Czank Racing alongside his wife Charlotte, building and campaigning some of the most eye-catching and inventive race cars in South Africa. He’s brought a diverse mix of machinery to Simola over the years—from his R35 GT-R Nismo RC and Corvette C5 V8 to the thunderous Backdraft Cobra and a pair of Lotus Exige specials known as Grotus and Vrotus.
Grotus, which debuted in 2022, featured a Nissan GT-R VR38 engine crammed into the lightweight Exige chassis—a bold engineering feat. The latest creation, Vrotus, sees a twin-turbo VR32 V6 under the rear clamshell. “We all tried big horsepower early on, but we realised weight kills us. The Lotus gives us that sweet spot—light and insanely quick,” Czank says.
As a seasoned competitor, Czank knows that every tenth of a second matters. But at Simola, the challenge is more nuanced. “The course is split into two parts,” he explains. “The first is a straight-up drag to Turn 2—big-power, four-wheel-drive cars like the GT-Rs dominate there. Then the technical section begins, and that’s where agility counts. The Lotus is brilliant there. It’s give-and-take all the way to the top.”
A Showdown Among Elites
The standard at Simola has risen sharply over the years. “A few years back, 42 seconds would get you into the top 10,” Czank notes. “Now you need to be under 40 just to be in contention, and there are more than 10 cars capable of that. It’s pushed everyone to step up.”
That level of competition has turned Simola into a highlight on the calendar—not just for drivers, but for fans who relish the rivalries, the engineering excellence, and the sheer spectacle of it all. And Czank, ever the fan-favourite, is right in the thick of it.
The Superboss Smiles
This year also marked a special milestone for Czank: his debut in Classic Car Friday, piloting the iconic 1991 Opel Kadett Superboss, campaigned in period by Farouk Dangor in the golden days of Group N. Still sporting its classic Speedy Car Sales livery, the Superboss delivered a different kind of thrill.
“I was outgunned, but I had the biggest smile of the day,” Czank laughs. “Sometimes a slower car, driven flat out, is more fun than something faster. I was on the limit every run—late braking, clipping the markers. It was magic.”
Eyes on 2026
For Czank and his team, Simola is more than an annual pilgrimage—it’s a way of life. “Even if we’re not racing, we’re here. When someone wanted to plan a wedding on Simola weekend, we told them to move it—we’re at the hillclimb!” he grins.
With the 15th edition barely concluded, Czank Racing is already deep in planning mode for 2026. “We’ve already picked the cars,” he hints, with a smile that suggests surprises lie ahead. “It’s going to be special.”
The 16th Simola Hillclimb is set to run from 30 April to 3 May 2026, and there’s no doubt Craig Czank will be there—flat out, fully committed, and smiling all the way to the top.
