By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
The Auto Magazine
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
    Auto ShowsShow More
    IAA MOBILITY 2025 Announces Powerful Lineup of Partners and Sponsors
    June 26, 2025
    BMW and Alvaro Barrington celebrate hydrogen mobility at Art Basel in Basel 2025
    June 18, 2025
    MHB DEALER EXPO 2025 – A Premier Automotive Networking Experience
    June 17, 2025
    Entries Open for The Cape 1000 – South Africa’s Most Beautiful Drive Returns for 2026
    June 10, 2025
    Ulterio Motiv Toyota Land Cruiser 6×6 and 6×4 to invade Land Cruiser Festival
    June 3, 2025
  • Bikes
    BikesShow More
    BMW Motorrad presents the new BMW CE 04
    July 3, 2025
    Desmo450 MX: Production of the first Ducati Motocross bike begins
    May 28, 2025
    25YM Honda NC750X
    May 13, 2025
    BMW Motorrad presents the new BMW R 1300 RS
    May 2, 2025
    BMW Motorrad presents the new BMW R 1300 RT
    April 30, 2025
  • News
    NewsShow More
    Porsche Macan, best-selling model line: almost 60 per cent fully electric
    July 8, 2025
    Mercedes-Benz sold 547,100 cars and vans in Q2 as CLA order intake gains momentum
    July 8, 2025
    Stellantis Pro One announces start of production in the Italian Atessa plant 
    July 8, 2025
    Tata Motors registered total sales of 2,10,415 units in Q1 FY26
    July 3, 2025
    Kia Announces June 2025 Global Sales Results
    July 3, 2025
  • Concepts
    ConceptsShow More
    Mercedes-AMG presents the CONCEPT AMG GT XX
    June 25, 2025
    TOYOTA GAZOO Racing unveils liquid hydrogen-fueled “GR LH2 Racing Concept” at Le Mans
    June 11, 2025
    FIAT unveils the manifesto Grande Panda 4×4
    May 20, 2025
    Renault 4 Savane 4×4 Concept makes its global debut at Roland-Garros 2025
    May 16, 2025
    Hyundai Motor and Plus Unveil Concept for Autonomous Hydrogen Freight Ecosystem at ACT Expo 202
    May 2, 2025
  • Interviews
    InterviewsShow More
    24-hour race at Le Mans, the Nürburgring and Spa – triple marathon for Mercedes-AMG Motorsport
    June 10, 2025
    Kosmas “Dudie” Mamaloukos – The Formidable Racing Talent
    May 15, 2025
    Hi-Range Safari City
    Hi-Range Safari City – The Premier outfitter for 4×4 customization
    May 15, 2025
    BEHIND THE SCENES: ARCHIE RUTHERFORD ON WHAT IT TAKES TO BRING THE W2RC TO SOUTH AFRICA
    May 9, 2025
    Europe and China’s automotive future in a shifting global order
    May 5, 2025
  • EVs
    EVsShow More
    The Kia EV5: an authentic SUV powering Kia’s electrification vision
    July 8, 2025
    Polestar 4 wins the 2025 Mille Miglia Green
    June 27, 2025
    IONIQ 5 N Earns Coveted ‘Five-Star Car’ Accolade at 2025 Autocar Awards
    June 26, 2025
    Polestar 3 OTA update introduces new Abbey Road Studios Mode exclusively for Bowers & Wilkins audio system
    June 18, 2025
    No Compromise Ford Ranger PHEV Brings Electric Power to Europe’s Best-Selling Pickup
    June 18, 2025
  • Motosport
    MotosportShow More
    Aston Martin Valkyrie set for South American debut 
    July 8, 2025
    René Rast finishes twice in the top ten at DTM Norisring
    July 8, 2025
    Lamborghini takes first victory of the DTM season on the streets of the Norisring
    July 8, 2025
    Brazil beckons for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
    July 8, 2025
    TOYOTA GAZOO Racing debuts hydrogen Rally2 car at Rally Finland
    July 8, 2025
  • Trucks & Buses
    Trucks & BusesShow More
    MAN celebrates 70 years of tradition and modernity at its Munich plant
    July 3, 2025
    Tata Motors strengthens presence in Qatar with the launch of all-new LPO 1622 bus
    June 26, 2025
    Scania launches MCS rapid charging solution at EVS38
    June 18, 2025
    Daimler Truck and Volvo Group launch Coretura
    June 17, 2025
    Volvo Trucks launches upgraded Volvo Dynamic Steering system to increase road safety
    June 17, 2025
  • Reviews
    ReviewsShow More
    Introducing the Land Cruiser Hybrid 48V: a new powertrain for Toyota’s legendary SUV
    June 23, 2025
    THE NEW HAVAL H6 SUV IS HERE, AND IT’S BUILT FOR BIG MOMENTS!
    June 18, 2025
    THE NEW PEUGEOT E-208 GTi MORE PLEASURE. MORE GTi THAN EVER!
    June 17, 2025
    New BMW XM options: maximum exclusivity and breathtaking performance.
    June 12, 2025
    The Audi Q5 e-hybrid: all-rounder with great electric range
    June 11, 2025
  • Tech
    TechShow More
    Gaming fun on the go: Audi integrates AirConsole
    June 26, 2025
    New Kia App provides European drivers with a unified digital experience
    June 17, 2025
    Abbey Road Studios Mode makes global debut in Volvo EX90
    June 17, 2025
    Audi develops the picking process of the future
    June 2, 2025
    Volvo EX90 LiDAR and smartphone cameras: What you need to know
    June 2, 2025
Hot News
Aston Martin Valkyrie set for South American debut 
René Rast finishes twice in the top ten at DTM Norisring
Lamborghini takes first victory of the DTM season on the streets of the Norisring
Brazil beckons for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing debuts hydrogen Rally2 car at Rally Finland
Latest News

Stellantis Announces Launch of First Tranche of Its 2024 Share Buyback Program

Latest News

7th Edition of Festival of Motoring speeds into Kyalami this August!

Electric VehiclesLatest News

FORD EV CUSTOMERS TO GAIN ACCESS TO 12,000 TESLA SUPERCHARGERS

Latest News

Kia K4 Wins 2024 Good Design Award

Font ResizerAa
The Auto MagazineThe Auto Magazine
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
  • Bikes
  • News
  • Concepts
  • Interviews
  • EVs
  • Motosport
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Reviews
  • Tech
Search
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
  • Bikes
  • News
  • Concepts
  • Interviews
  • EVs
  • Motosport
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Reviews
  • Tech
Follow US
Crafted by Intellegere Media. © 2024 The Auto Magazine. All rights reserved.
Auto Shows

Stellar line-up of exciting road cars and supercars for King of the Hill

Itumeleng Garebatshabe
Last updated: March 20, 2025 17:57
By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
2.6k Views
11 Min Read
Share
11 Min Read
SHARE
  • Exciting manufacturer entries in Road Car and Supercar category from BMW, MINI, Opel and Suzuki, along with Mercedes-AMG and MG in class A8 for hybrids and EVs
  • Dazzling array of desirable supercars encompassing Audi, Ferrari, McLaren and Porsche, along with a strong contingent of exclusive Shelby Mustangs
  • New King of the Hill winner will be crowned – can JP van der Walt’s 42.935 sec record from 2024 be beaten?

It’s the stuff dreams are made of – the allure of high-performance road cars of all shapes, sizes and prices being driven flat-out in the search for glory. This is what fans can look forward to when the competitors in the category for standard production cars and supercars go head-to-head for their respective class titles and the King of the Hill crown at this year’s 15th edition of the Simola Hillclimb.

The pre-event action commences on Friday 2 May with the vehicles undergoing scrutineering during the day in Knysna, followed by the late-afternoon parade along the town’s Waterfront Drive which delivers plenty of tyre-smoking thrills for spectators.

- Advertisement -
Ad image

Then the battle gets underway on Saturday 3 May, starting with four practice sessions followed by three qualifying rounds. On Sunday the excitement and intensity ramps up with the final three qualifying runs, with the best times defining the top three competitors in each class that go through to the Class Finals.

The top 10 qualifiers ultimately battle it out in the highlight of the entire weekend – the all-or-nothing Top 10 Shootout on Sunday afternoon to determine who will be crowned King of the Hill in the Road Car and Supercar category. With all of the cars required to be standard showroom specification with no modifications – including road-legal tyres – it ensures a level playing field and is the most relatable of the categories at the Simola Hillclimb.

“We have had keen interest from numerous vehicle manufacturers once again this year, and are delighted that several of these brands are using the Simola Hillclimb to debut exciting new cars at this event,” says Geoff Goddard, the Simola Hillclimb sporting director.

With a focus on technology and innovation, Mercedes-Benz is back for the third consecutive year, this time unveiling its new Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance for the first time in South Africa. This mighty two-door coupé is powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 in combination with a hybrid system that delivers a whopping 600 kW of power and 1 420 Nm torque output. AMG Driving Academy head Clint Weston will be behind the wheel, and if his on-the-ragged edge driving last year in the four-door GT 63  S E Performance is anything to go by, fans will be treated to spectacular action yet again up the challenging 1.9 km Simola Hill course.

Weston will no doubt be one of the top contenders for the King of the Hill title again this year, and will have his eye on beating JP van der Walt’s current record and winning time of 42.935 seconds from 2024. The four-time champion isn’t competing this year, so a new King of the Hill winner is set to be crowned.

Also from the Mercedes-AMG stable in class A8 for hybrids and electric vehicles will be the new AMG GLC 63 S E Performance driven by Natalie Weston, along with Courtney Nicholl in the AMG C63 S E  Performance that made its debut at last year’s event. Both cars are powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine mated to a hybrid system, delivering 500 kW of power output and 1 020 Nm of torque.

As a new entrant to the local market, MG is taking on the Simola Hillclimb to showcase its fascinating new models. Joshua Lowe will be behind the wheel of the all-electric Cyberster Roadster, which is equipped with dual electric motors that deliver a combined 375 kW and impart the car with four-wheel drive. He will be joined by Johannes Pretorious in the yet-to-be-released MG4 XPower EV.

Class A7 for turbocharged or supercharged eight-cylinder cars and above is dominated by the Shelby South Africa/Lindenberg Racing contingent of six supercharged Shelby Mustangs – five of which are Shelby Super Snake models driven by Joshua O’Callaghan, Vinesh Padayachy, Deon Smit, Paul Malatji and Paige Lindenberg. James Temple will be driving the exclusive Shelby Terlingua. They will be going up against Eugene Herbert in his Roush supercharged Mustang, and Simola Hillclimb regular Garth Mackintosh in his McLaren 720s.

Naturally aspirated eight-cylinder cars and above in class A6 features the Ferrari 458 driven by Jon Wiliams, competing against event stalwarts Gordon Nicholson (2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus) and Shiraz Bawa (2000 BMW M5).

There are three naturally aspirated six-cylinder Porsches in A5, ranging from Dayaan Padayachey’s 2014 Cayman GTS to the 2000 911 GT3 driven by Sean Mackay and the more modern 2018 911 GT3 RS entered by Abu Bakr Omar. Ridwaan Babamia will be mixing things up in the class in a 2003 BMW M3.

BMW South Africa is officially represented in class A4 for four-wheel drive cars with the latest twin-turbo 405kW M4 Competition xDrive which will be driven by Leyton Fourie. He will be joined by Martin van Zummeren who is making the switch from the wild Modified Saloon Car category to compete in a 1997 Nissan R33 GT-R.

Breaking boundaries

Guy Davies will make his debut as only the second physically disabled person to compete at the Simola Hillclimb, after Terry Smith’s outing in 2021. Having picked up back injuries from playing rugby, Davies had his back fused in 1987, only to have the fusion break in 1999 which damaged his spinal cord and left him as a paraplegic. He has used this experience to become a disability and access consultant, working on both the Cape Town and Nelson Mandela Bay 2010 FIFA World Cup stadiums, as well as various bus rapid transport systems around the country.

“This will be my first competitive event of any kind in more than 25 years. I’ve been keen on competing at the Simola Hillclimb for several years but didn’t believe it would be possible due to the required safety regulations,” Davies says. “However the Simola Hillclimb team and Motorsport South Africa have been exceptionally helpful. I just need to pass the vehicle clearance test to get out of the car in the stipulated time so I can get my racing license, which I will do as soon as my Simpson Race Hybrid S head restraint arrives, as this will work with the car’s standard seatbelts.”

Davies will be driving the Porsche 911 Carrera that he purchased in 2018. He has covered an impressive 200 000 km in the car which is completely standard other than hand controls being fitted. “Behind the wheel I’m not disabled, and I actually have more control with my hands than I would have had with my feet,” he says. “I’m going to the Simola Hillclimb for one thing, and that’s to set a competitive time.”

Competing against Davies in class A3 for two-wheel drive force-fed cars up to six cylinders will be Cristiano Verolini in BMW South Africa’s new 353 kW M2 Competition. Ebrahim Mayat will line up in his privately entered 2023 M4 CSL, along with Paul Munro who has swapped his 2003 BMW M3 for a 2020 Toyota Supra, along with Piet Potgieter in the 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.

With no entries in class A2 for all-wheel drive four-cylinder cars, A1 sets the scene for a tight battle between the two-wheel drive machines. Suzuki Auto South Africa will continue its long-standing support for the Simola Hillclimb as a Tier 1 OEM sponsor, and is once again fielding media entries for its small but feisty Swift hatchback. Ernest Page will be driving the latest-generation Swift with its naturally aspirated 1.2-litre engine, while Jeanette Kok-Kritzinger will be behind the wheel of the turbocharged Swift Sport campaigned at the 2024 Simola Hillclimb.

Bradleigh Boshoff will be flying the BMW SA flag in the latest MINI John Cooper Works edition, while Stellantis South Africa is entering the fray with an Opel Corsa GS Irmscher, driven by racer Siyabonga Mankonkwana. They will be up against Francis Cusens in a Fiat 500 Abarth, Yash Rampersad in a Porsche 718 Cayman, Andre Steenkamp in an Alfa Romeo 4C, as well as the winner of the MasterDrive Driver Search in a Ford Fiesta ST.

The 15th edition of the Simola Hillclimb takes place from 1 to 4 May 2025.

More information and online ticket sales are available on the Simola Hillclimb website:  www.simolahillclimb.com

TAGGED:BMWKing of the HillMercedes-AMGMGMINIOpelSimola HillclimbSuzukiSuzuki Auto South Africa

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Stay Updated! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn VKontakte Telegram Email Copy Link Print
Share
ByItumeleng Garebatshabe
Editor
Follow:
Itumeleng is the Managing Editor of The Auto Magazine. He is a tech and car enthusiast

Follow US

FacebookLike
XFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe
TiktokFollow
TelegramFollow
Google NewsFollow
LinkedInFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

You Might Also Like

Latest News

Opel Wins German Motor Sport Federation 2023 Sustainability Award

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
November 20, 2023
Latest News

BMW is #TalkinlikeWalken During This Year’s Super Bowl

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
February 6, 2024
Latest News

All-New Electric Opel SUV will be Named Frontera

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
January 24, 2024
Auto ShowsLatest News

MINI celebrates acclaimed model premieres in Great Britain.

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
July 18, 2023
Motosport

ACTION AND FUN AS SUZUKI ASCEND SIMOLA’S HILL

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
May 3, 2025
Motosport

Dunlop SportMaxx set to conquer Knysna Hillclimb

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
May 2, 2024

The Auto Magazine

  • Advertise
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy
  • Bikes
  • Electric Vehicles
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Auto Shows
  • Latest News
  • Motosport

Made by Intellegere Media. All rights reserved. 2023

Don't not sell my personal information
Join Us!
Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts etc.

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
adbanner