The MasterDrive team is in Knysna to participate in the Simola Hillclimb in several ways. One of these is to enter the winner of the MasterDrive Driver Search (MDDS) as part of the team competing in the King of the Hill event. This year’s winner, Tarique Zietsman, underwent specialised training to prepare for the Simola Hillclimb.
MasterDrive’s Team Simola is excited to welcome Zeitsman to take on the Hill along with the CEO, Eugene Herbert, and the General Manager of the Coastal Region, Eugene ‘Gino’ Nourse. Herbert expands: “Over the last two years MDDS introduced talented drivers to the team who excelled beyond expectation and we have no doubt Tarique will do the same this year.
“After successfully completing the intensive MDDS qualifying and training sessions, conducted by MasterDrive and Race Driver SA (RDSA), we are confident the driver joining our team for the upcoming Hillclimb is well prepared. The rigorous assessments, racing skills shared, and mental fortitude built will ensure Tarique is ready for this challenging motorsport event,” says Herbert.
Nourse says over the last three years MDDS has grown significantly and MasterDrive is proud to be the force behind this event. “MDDS represents MasterDrive’s ongoing commitment to discovering and developing the next generation of racing talent. One of the main driving forces motivating us has always been the chance to open doors for those who would not otherwise have had this chance.
“MDDS has certainly done this for our drivers. Last year’s winner of both MDDS and his class at Simola, Shuaib Dhansay, will again be joining us in a mentorship and ambassador role at the Simola Hillclimb. We believe as our newest driver, Tarique, tackles the legendary Simola Hillclimb the same opportunities will present themselves to him as well,” says Nourse.
Zeitsman says he is ecstatic to be a part of the team and looks forward to giving the Hillclimb his best. “It has already been an exciting experience working with MasterDrive, Claudio Piazzo-Musso from RDSA and Shuaib. I had the opportunity to take skills I knew about in theory and put them into practice.
“This weekend I will be aiming for the top spot in my class, and I am proud to be a part of the MasterDrive team while I do it. My hope is that winning MDDS will open up opportunities for me to continue competing in circuit racing in the future. A huge thanks goes to MasterDrive and RDSA,” says Zietsman.
Another newcomer to the MasterDrive team is their new Simola Hillclimb partner, the Rose Foundation. “The Foundation is vital in reducing the impact of used oil on the environment and we are thrilled to partner with them for the Hillclimb.
“Their dedication matches MasterDrive’s own commitment to reducing their impact in an industry that can have a significant effect on the environment. This partnership is an example of how all organisations and industries can do their part in uplifting the communities around them,” says Herbert.
