It’s less than one month to go until the 16th Simola Hillclimb comes to life with Classic Car Friday. Fans can look forward to another spectacular feast of iconic classic cars taking on the 1.9 km Simola Hill as the drivers challenge for glory.
Spectators will have the first opportunity to see the cars close-up on Thursday 30 April during the official scrutineering in Knysna’s Hedge Street from 09h00 to 14h30, followed by the Classic Car Parade along Waterfront Drive, starting at 14h45. Then it’s race suits, helmets and gloves on as the competitors commence battle on Friday 1 May for the revered class victories, and the ultimate prize – the Classic Conqueror title for 2026.
There are few places in the world where you will see such a diverse and fascinating range of cars gathered – not for display, but being driven with vigour up the tight and challenging Simola Hillclimb course. From a 1926 Austin 7 to a 2002 Alfa Romeo 156 GTA, there truly is something for everyone in this exciting and eclectic line-up of 65 cars competing in Classic Car Friday.
The rivalry between two of the leading protagonists, Franco Scribante and Andre Bezuidenhout, is expected to be as nail-biting as ever. Scribante has seven Classic Conqueror wins under his belt, the most recent of which was in 2024. However, he is always looking ahead to the next one and will be just as committed and competitive as ever in his 1970 Chevron B19 as he sets out to reclaim the top step of the Classic Car Friday podium. He will also be vying for back-to-back wins in class H10 for racing sports and GT cars up to 1990.
Bezuidenhout has been a formidable contender in Classic Car Friday since 2019, which was his first outing in the 1976 Lola T460 Formula Atlantic single-seater that he purchased specifically for this event. He won in 2023, and came tantalisingly close to scoring his second victory last year. Unpredictable wet conditions saw him finishing runner-up in the all-or-nothing Top 10 Shootout, just six-tenths of a second behind Charles Arton, who unfortunately won’t be competing this year.
Contesting class H9 for open-wheel single-seater race cars up to 1990, Bezuidenhout will be up against a strong line-up that includes 2022 winner Ian Schofield (1977 March 77b), Josh Dovey in a 1972 Chevron B20, and a trio of classic Formula Fords in the hands of Robert Wolk, Simphiwe Mohlahlo and Rick Morris.
A new addition to the class is Margie White, who is making the leap from a 1937 Austin 7 Special in the pre-WWII class to drive a 1967 Mallock Lotus Mark 6b this year. The car is owned by Lew Baker, who completed several Simola Hillclimbs in the Mallock and managed a best time of 54 seconds in 2016. “Lew kindly afforded me the privilege of using his Mallock for this year’s Simola Hillclimb, and I am under no illusions as to the change in class and speed, but I will be happy to just go faster than I have so far in ‘Ernest’, my Austin 7 Special,” White says. “I have a lifetime love of cars and motorsport, so the Simola Hillclimb ticks all the boxes for me.”
After she competes in Classic Car Friday, White will trade her racing gear for a marshal’s outfit for King of the Hill on Saturday and Sunday as part of the MG Car Club volunteers that manage the pitlane. “Dedicated enthusiasts such as Margie, Brian Bruce and the other members of the MG Car Glub South Cape are a huge asset to the Simola Hillclimb each year, and we appreciate their support in not only competing in or assisting us during Classic Car Friday, but also giving up their time to provide valued support throughout King of the Hill too,” says Leon Smith, sporting director of the Simola Hillclimb. “This exemplifies the wonderful spirit of this event, and the fantastic people that help make it a success each year.”
Tin-top titans
Class H8 is home to racing saloon cars (six cylinders and above) from 1976 to 2005. There are several big names and exciting new cars in this class, including the two BB Motorsport entries of Reghard ‘Reggie’ Roets and Arnold du Plessis, both competing in their first Classic Car Friday in a pair of truly legendary cars from the BB Motorsport museum. Roets will be behind the wheel of a 2000 R34 Skyline GT-R, while Du Plessis is piloting the equally rare and illustrious 1995 R33 Skyline GT-R.
“We are super excited to be at Classic Car Friday,” says Demar du Plessis, Performance Manager at BB Motorsport. “As much fun as the King of the Hill parade is on Friday afternoon, there is definitely some FOMO happening when we hear the classic cars screaming up the hill in the distance and listening to all the war stories in the evening. Reggie has a secret love affair with the R34, and the way she loves being wrestled in an old school way is right up his alley! Arnold was also caught grinning bigger than usual when let loose in the R33. Besides, doing a couple of more runs before King of the Hill starts can’t do any harm.”
Simola Hillclimb regular Craig Czank is adding to the GT-R mania with a 1989 R32 model, while Rane Berry bolsters the Nissan line-up with his 1983 2.8-litre Skyline GLX. Aldo Scribante is throwing his hat into the class H8 ring for the first time too, and will be driving a 2002 Alfa Romeo 156 GTA.
In class H7 for four-cylinder racing saloons of the same period, MasterDrive’s Eugene Herbert (1995 Fiat Uno Turbo) will be going head-to-head against Sergio Nobrega (1978 VW Fox), former Group N champion John Craig (1996 Nissan Sentra 200 STi), Roy Obery (1979 Porsche 924 GTP Tribute) and Andre Steenkamp in his quirky 1996 Toyota RAV4 GT4 Turbo which features the drivetrain from a Celica GT4.
A strong field of top competitors will once again make up class H6 for racing saloons up to 1975 (six-cylinders and up). Multiple class winner Rui Campos is sure to be a hot favourite in his mighty 1974 Porsche 911 RSR, going up against the three Lindenberg Racing entries of Alistair Simpson (1972 Ford Capri Perana), Paige Lindenberg (1968 Ford Fairlane) and James Temple in the muscular 1965 Shelby Daytona. They will also have to contend with Richard Evans in his 7-litre V8 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Johann Barnard in the 1973 Ford Capri and Porsche specialist Gavin Rooke in his 911 from the same year.
The list of protagonists in class H5 for four-cylinder race cars (up to 1975) is equally impressive, with 11 highly accomplished drivers set to do battle on the Simola Hill. Silvio Scribante makes his Classic Car Friday debut in a 1968 Ford Escort Mk1, and will be up against the likes of six-time class winner Trevor Tuck in a 1962 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Ti, and the fellow Alfas of Ashley Baud (1974 GTV) and John Bronner (1966 Giulia Super). Lindenberg Racing’s Djurk Venter will be campaigning the team’s 1968 Ford Escort, with Lorenzo Farella adding some French flair in a 1967 Renault R8 Gordini.
Legendary road cars
Road-going cars up to 1990 (five cylinders and above) fall into class H4, comprising Andrew Davey in a 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2, former rally ace Enzo Kuun in his screaming 1989 Ferrari 348, and a pair of AC Cobras entered by Ivan Lerm and Heinrich du Preez.
Four-cylinder road cars from the same period in class H3 include last year’s class winner, Jandre Bezuidenhout in the 1985 Porsche 944 Turbo Cup, Dylan Jones in a 1977 Toyota Corolla 2-Door, Gabriel Diedericks in a Fiat 131 Racing from the same year, and Simola Hillclimb co-founder Francis Cusens in his 1980 Fiat 131 Abarth.
A total of 11 entrants make up class H2 for road cars up to 1975, with lots of familiar names in the mix. Owner and curator of Classique Edge Racing and the Parnell Bruce Collection is Simola Hillclimb stalwart Brian Bruce, who will once again be in action in the sleek 1956 Jaguar D-Type – an accurate replica of the car that won the Le Mans 24-Hour that year. Two other cars from the collection are in the Classic Car Friday line-up, with Peter MacPherson in the 1964 Ford GT40, and Douglas Cameron-Short in the 1970 Lotus Europa S2.
The Pickards are making it a family affair this year, as father Hannes is returning to the Simola Hillclimb in the 1962 Porsche 356B. He will be joined by son Jacques who is competing in his fourth Simola Hillclimb driving the 1969 Porsche 911T, and daughter Danielle making her Classic Car Friday debut in a 1968 Mercedes-Benz 250 SL.
Class H1 is for the cars from the pre-World War 2 era, and runs a handicap format to ensure a level playing field between the ‘Golden Oldies’. During qualifying, the competitors establish their individual target times that are representative of their car’s performance. The driver who comes closest to their target time during the Class Finals earns the top step of the H1 podium. This year, Greig Smith’s 1926 Austin 7 Single Seater is the oldest car in the field, going up against Rodney Green, who has entered a 1933 Riley 14/6 Racing. Two cars from the Parnell Bruce Collection will also be in the fray, featuring Gero Lilleike in the 1946 Austin A40 Special for the second year running, and Bernie Nesser in the 1930 Ford Model A.
The 16th edition of the Simola Hillclimb takes place from 30 April to 3 May 2026.
For more information and ticket sales, visit the website: www.simolahillclimb.com
