Knysna’s picturesque Garden Route will soon roar to life as the 15th Simola Hillclimb kicks off with Classic Car Friday on May 2. Preceding the racing, May 1 will feature scrutineering and a vibrant parade at the Knysna Waterfront.

Classic Car Friday sees historic vehicles tackle the challenging 1.9km Simola Hill course. Drivers will compete in class finals and the coveted Top 10 Shootout for the Classic Conqueror title, awarded with the prestigious Jody Trophy, honouring South African Formula 1 champion, Jody Scheckter.

“The quality of entries for the Simola Hillclimb continues to improve,” says Geoff Goddard, sporting director. “We’re aiming for a thrilling line-up for competitors and spectators.”

Classic Car Friday is limited to 65 entries. Competitors have three practice runs, followed by three qualifying runs. The top three in each class advance to the finals, culminating in the Top 10 Shootout.

Key changes and highlights:

• Class separation: Open-wheel single-seaters (H9) and sports/GT cars (H10) now have distinct classes.

• H10 (Sports/GT cars up to 1985): Features seven-time winner Franco Scribante (1970 Chevron B19), a 1983 Lotus 7, and the unique Davey 626, a 1963 one-off GT sports car driven by Scott Temple.

• H9 (Single-seaters up to 1985): Expect a thrilling battle between André Bezuidenhout (1976 Lola T460), Charles Arton (1979 March 79A), Josh Dovey (1972 Chevron B20), and four InvestChem team entries. Rodney Green’s 1957 Cooper Climax Formula 2, will also draw significant attention.

• H8 (Racing saloon cars, six cylinders and above, up to 2000): Features Rui Campos (1974 Porsche 911 RSR), Craig Wessels (1983 Porsche 911 RSR IROC), and a diverse range of classic saloons.

• H7 (Four-cylinder cars up to 2000): Motorsport legend Farouk Dangor (1991 BMW E30 M3), Craig Czank (1991 Opel Kadett Superboss), and Dawie Joubert (2000 Lotus Elise) will compete.

• H6 (Rotary and Six-cylinder engines and above, up to 1975): The Shelby South Africa/Lindenberg Racing team with their 1965 Shelby Daytonas, and other classic muscle cars will battle it out.

• H5 (Production cars up to 1975): Classic Alfa Romeos, Datsuns, and Volvo 122s will showcase their prowess.

• H2-H4 (Street-legal road cars): A wide array of classic road cars, including a 1965 AC Cobra, a 1956 Jaguar D-type, and a 1965 Ford GT40, will compete.

• H1 (Pre-World War II era): Margie White (1937 Austin 7 Special) and Gero Lilleike (1946 Austin A40 Special) will compete on a handicap basis.

The 15th Simola Hillclimb runs from May 1 to 4.

Source: MotorPress