I missed the Friday. Such is the busyness of life that despite having a love for historics, I simply didn’t have the time to attend. Classic Car Friday is the first day of the Simola Hillclimb and I was sad to miss it. In fact life is so busy of late, that on Wednesday I was nearly certain I would be missing this year’s event again – resulting in a fifth year of telling myself “I’m definitely gonna be doing the Simola Hillclimb next year”. Wow I’m glad that that wasn’t the case.
I joined the trip with Andrew Rackstraw and his team. We arrived in Knysna in a drizzly darkness and headed straight to the hill to check on Andrew’s car for the weekend – a modified Formula Ford single seater. I was drowsy and still worrying about all the work I was missing. Then in the loadshedding aided blackness, an E46 M3 race car started up. That car wasn’t even close to the loudest of the weekend, but you could still feel the noise as much as hear it.
Now my excitement was kindled. I barely slept that night.
Day one of King of the Hill was wet to say the least. The overcast skies and constant drizzle, surrounded by a bright green landscape, Simola seemed awfully familiar. It wasn’t until the muddy trek from the car park to pits that it dawned on me – this must be what watching Wales Rally GB feels like.
all around me, monsters awoke
Andrew’s car was pitted amongst the other single seaters. I could barely contain my excitement, as all around me, monsters awoke from their slumber. F1 engines, IndyCar engines and so much more led to rather painful ears. For a moment I tried to source myself some ear protection, but to no avail. Good old fingers it was then.
I spent most of the morning watching the drivers argue with physics as they tried to launch omnipotent cars off rain-soaked tarmac. The whole thing was mesmerizing.
I’ve been lucky enough to have attended the Goodwood Festival of Speed a few times. Maybe that’s part of the reason I hadn’t made the effort to go to Simola earlier. A small event in Knysna with only a fraction of the cars, couldn’t possibly compete with the spectacle that is Goodwood surely?
I was so wrong.
hard to believe the Simola Hillclimb is only 12 years old
The Simola Hillclimb is run like a world class event. It’s hard to believe it’s only 12 years old. The martials are both friendly and extremely competent. You get the feeling that they are as much of a petrolhead as anyone else attending the event. The organization is polished to perfection, leaving the spectator having to worry about nothing other than where to watch from and which food stall to attend.
By mid-morning, I decided to make my way up the hill to a grandstand. The same cars looked completely different from this perspective. It was only now that I could appreciate the sheer speed of the bespoke built hillclimb cars as they screamed up the straight section. Part of the enjoyment is witnessing such a range of cars going up the hill. Everything from stock Suzuki Swift Sports to 1000+ horsepower Nissan GTRs. There are of course some special mentions. Andre Bezuidenhout’s record breaking F1 powered single seater was tremendously fast, but for the spectacle alone, the screaming Indycar powered Pilbeam driven by Robert Wolk was definitely a highlight.
stand meters from the track and watch it happen
That’s what’s so special about the hillclimb. There is nowhere else in South Africa that you can go and watch machines like these being driven in anger. Let alone stand meters from the track and watch it happen.
I was lucky enough to know a number of competitors and as a result I got a slightly more “enhanced” experience than most spectators. I was able to sit in a number of cars and get up close and personal with many more. But a pit pass is a small upgrade fee on a regular ticket, and it gets you very similar access. I would call it a must. Also do yourself a favour and go interact with the drivers. They were all so friendly and relaxed. The whole environment feels far more laid back than a circuit race day.
battles between each driver and the hill itself
Sunday constitutes the last qualifiers and the finals. I took the shuttle to the top of the hill to witness the main event. These runs counted. You could tell. Everyone was up on their feet and cheering. The atmosphere was electric… wait sorry I can’t use that word. The atmosphere was um… Explosive. I loved the way everyone got a cheer. Even in the pits, the teams would cheer for each other. It felt less of a battle between drivers and more of battles between each driver and the hill itself.
I came into the weekend with no clue what to expect. What I received was a memory filled weekend of pure joy. I will most certainly be attending next year,and I recommend anyone who hasn’t been yet to join too. 4-7 May 2023 are the dates. That gives you a year to free up your weekend. You certainly won’t regret it.
Simola Part 2 – Coming NEXT WEEK!
