As engines roar to life in Knysna for the much-anticipated Simola Hillclimb, MasterDrive returns not just as a competitor, but as a force for talent development and environmental responsibility. At the heart of this year’s campaign is Tarique Zietsman, the latest victor of the MasterDrive Driver Search (MDDS), who will join the team in the King of the Hill challenge—bringing with him both promise and ambition.
This marks another proud moment for MasterDrive’s Team Simola, which will also feature long-standing team members including CEO Eugene Herbert and Coastal Region GM Eugene ‘Gino’ Nourse. For the team, Simola isn’t just a race—it’s a proving ground for skill, resilience, and future potential.
“Over the last two years MDDS introduced talented drivers to the team who excelled beyond expectation and we have no doubt Tarique will do the same this year,” says Herbert.
Zietsman’s road to Simola was no easy cruise. He underwent rigorous training under the guidance of MasterDrive and Race Driver SA (RDSA), where technical skills were sharpened, racecraft refined, and mental readiness fortified. This preparation ensures that Zietsman doesn’t just represent the team—he elevates it.
“The rigorous assessments, racing skills shared, and mental fortitude built will ensure Tarique is ready for this challenging motorsport event,” Herbert adds.
The MDDS programme continues to grow in stature and scope, underpinned by MasterDrive’s mission to unearth and empower rising talent from across South Africa. Gino Nourse highlights how transformative the initiative has become:
“MDDS represents MasterDrive’s ongoing commitment to discovering and developing the next generation of racing talent. One of the main driving forces motivating us has always been the chance to open doors for those who would not otherwise have had this chance.”
Last year’s standout success story, Shuaib Dhansay—winner of both the MDDS and his Simola class—returns this year as a mentor and ambassador, offering Zietsman valuable insights from his own journey. It’s a powerful handover of passion, experience, and camaraderie that reflects the deeper ethos of MasterDrive.
For Zietsman, the journey from MDDS to the Simola Hillclimb grid has already been life-changing.
“It has already been an exciting experience working with MasterDrive, Claudio Piazzo-Musso from RDSA and Shuaib. I had the opportunity to take skills I knew about in theory and put them into practice,” he says.
He now has his eyes firmly set on victory.
“This weekend I will be aiming for the top spot in my class, and I am proud to be a part of the MasterDrive team while I do it. My hope is that winning MDDS will open up opportunities for me to continue competing in circuit racing in the future.”
MasterDrive’s 2024 Simola campaign also introduces a meaningful new partnership with the ROSE Foundation, a pivotal player in reducing the environmental impact of used oil. In aligning with the Foundation, MasterDrive extends its values of responsibility and sustainability beyond the track.
“Their dedication matches MasterDrive’s own commitment to reducing their impact in an industry that can have a significant effect on the environment,” says Herbert. “This partnership is an example of how all organisations and industries can do their part in uplifting the communities around them.”
As the Hillclimb weekend gets underway, Team Simola stands not only as a testament to racing excellence but as a platform for growth, mentorship, and environmental stewardship. For Zietsman and the MasterDrive family, it’s not just about climbing the hill—it’s about elevating South African motorsport to new heights.
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