KNYSNA, South Africa – Sunday, 4 May 2025
The 15th edition of the Simola Hillclimb ended on a bittersweet note—heavy with heartfelt tributes yet alive with record-shattering feats and peerless displays of motorsport prowess. As the King of the Hill contest unfolded, so too did a poignant moment of reflection following the tragic passing of competitor Pieter Joubert during Sunday’s opening run. In a show of unity and respect, his brothers Charl and 2024 winner Dawie Joubert withdrew from the competition but urged that the event continue in Pieter’s honour.
Against this emotional backdrop, drivers dug deep, chasing glory not just for themselves, but for the spirit of the event and the legacy of one of their own. Ultimately, two new Kings were crowned, and a returning champion etched his name in the record books once again.
Modified Saloon Cars: Zeelie’s Supremacy in the Toyota MR2 Super GT
Pieter Zeelie returned to the top step in spectacular fashion, seizing his second Modified Saloon Car King of the Hill title with a blistering 37.090-second run—obliterating the 2022 record by over a second. Piloting his finely-tuned rear-wheel-drive Toyota MR2 Super GT, Zeelie delivered a flawless final Top 10 Shootout performance to defeat Reghard Roets in the BB Motorsport Nissan GT-R by 1.280 seconds.
Zeelie, who previously won in 2021 with a 40.402-second time, credited meticulous setup work and team synergy for the leap in performance. “Everything just came together today,” he said. “I turned the boost down for the Top 10 Shootout to play it safe, so I believe a 36-second run is within reach next time.”
But it wasn’t just internal combustion that thrilled the crowd.
Kristoffersson and the Electric Charge
Swedish rallycross legend Johan Kristoffersson, a seven-time World RX champion, stunned the Knysna crowd by establishing a new EV benchmark of 39.001 seconds in the Volkswagen Polo RX1e—marking the first time the WRX title-winning machine competed on South African soil. His commitment was evident through his expertly controlled four-wheel drifts, powered by a specially chosen cross-pattern rally tyre setup that delivered the perfect mix of grip and agility.
“I really wanted to get into the 39s, and we just nailed it on the final run,” said Kristoffersson. “It’s been an amazing experience, though Pieter Joubert’s accident cast a shadow on what was otherwise a brilliant event. My thoughts are with his family.”
Behind Kristoffersson, Franco Scribante endured a challenging weekend. Despite a revised suspension setup on his GT-R, he settled for fourth with a best of 39.631 seconds. Silvio Scribante (Audi RS3), Wade van Zummeren (Nissan R34 GT-R), and George Evans (R35 GT-R) followed, while Anton Cronje—who closed out the top ten—was honoured with the Spirit of Dave Charlton Award for his enduring passion and professionalism.
Single Seaters & Sports Cars: Mitchell’s Moment
In the absence of six-time winner Andre Bezuidenhout and after an early retirement by reigning champion Robert Wolk, Byron Mitchell rose to the occasion in the Reynard Formula VW. His smooth, consistent performance earned him the King of the Hill title in the Single Seater and Sports Car category, clocking a top time of 41.696 seconds and clinching the Class C2 victory.
Wolk’s early promise with the new Investchem Gould GR55B was undone by a sensor failure, leaving Mitchell to capitalise on a clear field.
Rick Morris took second place with 47.444 seconds in his Formula Ford, narrowly edging out 16-year-old rising star Klayden Cole Ensor-Smith in the newly launched MSA4 single-seater, who impressed with a 47.702-second finish.
Road Cars and Supercars: Weston’s Debut Win
Clint Weston claimed his first King of the Hill title in the Road Car and Supercar category, mastering the Simola climb in the debuting hybrid-powered Mercedes-AMG GT 63 SE E Performance with a time of 43.174 seconds. Representing the AMG Driving Academy, Weston led the field all weekend, fending off fierce competition from BMW Driving Experience’s Cristiano Verolini, who pushed hard in the M4 Competition to a 43.872-second finish.
AMG colleague Courtney Nicholl was third in the C63 SE E Performance, while Leyton Fourie (BMW M2), Gordon Nicholson (Audi R8 V10), and Garth Mackintosh (McLaren 720s) followed closely.
The top ten was rounded out by Natalie Weston (Mercedes-AMG GLC 63), Yash Rampersad (Porsche 718 Cayman), Paul Munro (Toyota Supra), and motoring journalist Ashley Oldfield, who showcased the all-electric MG Cyberster with a time of 49.231 seconds.
Legacy, Loss, and the Spirit of Simola
While the 2025 Simola Hillclimb delivered high-octane competition, it was the shared sense of community that defined the event. The memory of Pieter Joubert, a fierce competitor and beloved member of the racing fraternity, loomed large over the hill—but also served as a unifying force, reminding everyone of what matters most in motorsport: courage, camaraderie, and respect.
From EV innovation to hybrid muscle and naturally aspirated finesse, the Simola Hillclimb remains South Africa’s premier proving ground for man and machine alike. And in 2025, it proved once again that greatness is not just measured in seconds, but in spirit.
