KNYSNA NEWS - The Jaguar Simola Hillclimb continues to be recognised as one of the top sports events in the country, having received its third consecutive nomination for the prized SA Sport Industry Awards.

The official shortlist for the 2018 awards covers 18 categories recognising the very best activations, agencies, campaigns, content, events, innovations, platforms, programmes, rights holders, sponsorships and more.

Third year in a row
For the third year running, the JSHC is nominated in the Best Live Experience category, and once again is up against some formidable opposition in SA Rugby for the HSBC Cape Town Sevens, ABSA for the ABSA Cape Epic, NBA Africa Game and Bidvest Wanderers for the Momentum ODI Pinkday.

Sgwili Gumede, chair of Sport Industry Group, commented, "It's been an exciting year in the sporting landscape and entrants have utilised this, plus the constant innovation to drive a significant marketing and commercial message that is reflected in their shortlisting. 

There are many others doing great work that have not been shortlisted and we applaud these entrants for pushing themselves to greater heights. The brands and organisations that have joined the business of sport landscape or pushed the landscape recognise that sport has a big part to play - this is represented across a number of categories in this year's shortlist."

Competitive categories
According to the organisers of the awards, "Categories are extremely competitive and all entrants should feel extremely proud of entering and participating as entities and brands test themselves among the best of the best in the world of the business of sport."

The official shortlist was selected through an extensive steering process – involving over 40 key industry figures across eight days of intensive steering and review, and will now go forward for consideration by the main judging panel, who will decide the winners in each category.

Ian Shrosbree, director of the Hillclimb, said, "It is an honour to once again be nominated as a finalist in the SA Sports Industry Awards considering the quality of the entries that were received. We entered only one category this year and to be one of five category finalists in all of South African sport makes us extremely proud.

"The Jaguar Simola Hillclimb is focused on presenting an exceptional motorsport experience for our competitors, spectators and sponsors each year. This nomination is testament to our commitment to delivering an internationally benchmarked event that appeals to a wide audience.

'People and partners to thank'
"It sounds like a cliché, but this nomination is absolutely the result of our people and partners. It is a credit to each and every person that plays a part in putting the event together, from paid staff, to the many volunteers, to our sponsor partners, our spectators who give the event its unique vibe, and of course the competitors who put on the show. All these contributors add key elements that make it the live experience that it is. It could not be done without them and we thank them for all their effort over the years."

Now heading into its ninth edition, from 3 to 6 May 2018, the JSHC has grown dramatically over the years to become one of South Africa's premier motorsport and lifestyle events.

Grown into 'must-do' event
It has developed to the point that it transcends motorsport and has become a "must-do" lifestyle event attracting not only motorsport aficionados, but also some of the who's who of the country that don't want to miss the excitement that surrounds the Hillclimb.

The Simola Hillclimb has already received several accolades. In addition to the four SA Sports Industry nominations, it was nominated in the Motorsport event of the Year category of the British-based 2016 International Historic Motoring Awards (IHMA) competition, won the 'Best Tourism Activity' title and was a finalist in the 'Proudly Knysna' category in the 2015 Sanlam Knysna Awards.

The 2018 Hillclimb is set to be bigger and better than ever. Avoid fear of missing out by buying your general admission, pit access, weekend pass, hospitality and/or grandstand tickets now at www.jaguarsimolahillclimb.com. 

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