The Modified Saloon Car category at the Simola Hillclimb is set for an electrifying 15th edition, May 1 to 4, boasting an exceptional line-up of contenders, including a world-renowned international driver.

Volkswagen Group SA is raising the stakes by bringing seven-time World Rallycross champion Johan Kristoffersson to the event. The Swedish ace will drive his championship-winning Volkswagen Polo RX1e – an all-electric car that dominated the 2022 and 2023 World Rallycross Championship (WRX). Kristoffersson secured five titles with the Polo RX1e before switching to a sustainably fuelled car in 2024, taking yet another championship.

Ian Shrosbree, the MD of Knysna Speed Festival, the owner of the Simola Hillclimb, commented: “We are thrilled to welcome Johan Kristoffersen to the 15th Simola Hillclimb, and appreciate Volkswagen’s immense effort in bringing a driver of his calibre and his championship-winning car to our event. Petter Solberg’s participation in 2023, also courtesy of Volkswagen, was a huge success, and we have no doubt Kristoffersen and the Polo RX1e will elevate the event even further, delighting fans and providing fierce competition for the King of the Hill title.”

While renowned for his WRX exploits, Kristoffersson has succeeded in touring car and GT racing and is a two-time Extreme E winner. He is undoubtedly a top contender for King of the Hill.

The Polo RX1e, competing in class B8 (electric and alternative energy vehicles), will face formidable modified saloon car heavyweights and past winners in the lead-up to Sunday’s ??? Top 10 Shootout.

A key advantage of the Polo RX1e is its instant 500kW electric drivetrain, It accelerates from 0-100km/h in just 1.8 seconds. While it might lack top speed on the uphill straight, its low weight and agility, combined with Kristoffersson’s skill, will be advantageous on the tight and twisty 1.9 km Simola Hill course.

Playing the power game is Franco Scribante’s radical 2019 Nissan R35 GT-R, rumoured to have around 1 200kW.  Known as The Sheriff, it’s one of the world’s wildest cars, capable of over 250km/h on Simola’s longest straight. However, the five-time winner faces the challenge of effectively deploying this power from the standing start.

The enthralling battle between Scribante and Reghard Roets in his BB Motorsport Nissan R35 GT-R will continue. Roets’ ‘Armageddon’ uses a simpler aero package but proved equally effective last year. Both drivers suffered setbacks in the final qualifying, adding extra anticipation for this year’s showdown. While Roets has three King of the Hill titles in the Road Car and Supercar categories, his determination for a first modified saloon car win is stronger than ever.

The entry list boasts numerous other potential winners, including reigning champion Dawie Joubert in his Ferrari 488-powered Lotus Exige, 2021 winner Pieter Zeelie (Toyota MR2 Super GT) and Charl Joubert (Honda V6-powered Lotus Elise). Czank Racing entries, Devin Robertson and Craig Czank (both in Nissan GT-R/VW-powered Lotus Exiges), are also dark horses. Wade van

Zummeren moves to the four-wheel drive class in a Nissan R34 GT-R, joined by his brother Jody in a R32 GT-R. The Scribante brothers, Aldo (Audi S4) and Silvio (Audi RS3), are also strong contenders.

Class B7 features Giacomo Giannoccaro (BMW Z4 GT3), his son Ricardo (Mercedes-AMG GT3), Pieter Joubert (Mercedes-AMG SLS-powered Lotus Exige), and Mike Verrier (Chevrolet LS7-driven BMW Z4). Racing Porsches feature in B6, while B3 showcases four-cylinder four-wheel drive entries. Class B2 will see a battle between Volkswagen Motorsport drivers in Polo SupaCup cars, and B1 a two-way affair in naturally aspirated four-cylinder machines. Class B9 features powerful SUVs and bakkies, while B10 accommodates modified street-legal cars.

Source: Colin Mileman/MotorPress