KNYSNA NEWS - The Modified Saloon Car category at the Simola Hillclimb has always delivered an epic battle of power and performance.
The 15th edition, which takes place from 1 to 4 May, ups the ante even further with an exceptional list of serious contenders for the title, including a superstar international driver.
All-electric
Volkswagen Group Africa is raising the stakes by bringing seven-time World Rallycross (WRX) champion Johan Kristoffersson to compete at this year's Simola Hillclimb.
The Swedish ace will be behind the wheel of his championship-winning Volkswagen Polo RX1e - an all-electric car that dominated the 2022 and 2023 World Rallycross Championship.
Kristoffersson powered his way to eight wins from 10 rounds to take his fifth title with the Polo RX1e, and repeated the feat the following year before switching to a sustainably fuelled Polo KMS 601 RX for the 2024 season, taking the championship title yet again.
"We are thrilled to have Johan Kristofferson joining us for the 15th Simola Hillclimb, and appreciate the immense effort Volkswagen has gone to in order to bring a driver of his calibre and status, along with his championship-winning car, to compete at our event," says Ian Shrosbree, MD of Knysna Speed Festival, which owns the Simola Hillclimb.
Huge success
Shrosbee said Petter Solberg's participation in 2023, which was also courtesy of Volkswagen, was a "huge success" and elevated the Simola Hillclimb to new heights, both locally and internationally.
"We have no doubt that having Kristofferson and the Polo RX1e here will raise the bar once again, delighting the fans and spectators, and providing even stiffer competition for the Modified Saloon Car King of the Hill title."
Heavy-hitters
The Polo RX1e will be the only vehicle competing in class B8 for electric and alternative energy vehicles, but Kristoffersson will be up against a bevy of established Modified Saloon Car heavy-hitters and previous winners as the event builds up to the Top 10 Shootout on the Sunday afternoon.
One of the Polo RX1e's main advantages will be the instant performance delivered by its 500kW electric drivetrain, which catapults the car from zero to 100km/h in just 1.8 seconds.
As with Solberg's campaign two years ago behind the wheel of Kristoffersson's title-winning 2018 Polo R WRX Supercar, the Polo RX1e may lose out on top speed on the fast uphill straight that links turns two and three.
But what it lacks in top-end pace will undoubtedly be made up on the rest of the tight and twisty 1.9km Simola Hill course, thanks to the car's extremely low weight and astonishing agility - along with Kristoffersson's obvious talent and experience with this car.
More information and online ticket sales are available on the Simola Hillclimb website: www.simolahillclimb.com
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