Motoring madness ends in shattered records

Gallery Video

KNYSNA NEWS AND VIDEO - The Jaguar Simola Hillclimb of this past weekend was an epic motoring adventure where not only the official track record was broken, but where a record attendance of 17 000 visitors was achieved.

The weekend of 4 to 6 May was so jam-packed with action and entertainment that it would be impossible to fit it all into one article, and we therefore bring you only the highlights in today's edition, although there is plenty more online and in our motoring insert, AutoDealer.

The event kicked off on Thursday 3 May with the scrutineering and parade of the classic cars that were set to attack the hill the next day.

The classic cars, 64 in total, were checked over by judges early on Thursday morning, and then later set off through Knysna to show residents and visitors what they could expect to see charging up Simola hill the next day.

These old-school beauties roared down Waterfront Drive and just because they’re old does not mean they were slow. There was enough rubber-burning action to get everyone excited for what was to come.

Day 1 – Classic Car Friday
Franco Scribante once again stamped his authority on the event by taking his fourth Classic Conqueror title, and his third in a row, after yet another dominant performance in his immaculately prepared 1970 Chevron B19.

Scribante was in a class of his own from the start, say the organisers, setting the outright quickest time of 41.615 seconds in the morning practice session.

During the final one-lap dash for the Top 10 Shootout, Scribante proved why he is regarded as one of the consistently fastest drivers in the country – after charging through the 1.9km course in a final time of 42.196 sec.

“It’s a great win for the team as we’ve had a bit of bad luck when I had a big accident earlier this year, and my crew has been working flat-out for the past three months getting everything prepared for this event.

“The Chevron ran beautifully, and although we won by a decent margin, it’s clear that the other competitors are pushing hard and made up some ground compared to last year.

Click here for a photo gallery.

Friday also saw the scrutineering and parading of the high-octane beasts that took on the King of the Hill shootout on Saturday and Sunday. The parade was absolutely amazing to see and gave all who were watching an electrifying jolt of adrenalin.

Watch a video below:

Journalist Stefan Goosen moments before he got to ride along in this beautiful Jaguar. Photo: Dominic Morel

Day 2 – King of the Hill gets rolling
On Saturday, car enthusiasts from all corners of the country descended on Knysna for the start of the King of the Hill shootouts.

Eighty-four high-powered engines started battling it out for the sought-after title of King of the Hill, spread out into different classes. The day was made up of five practice sessions and two qualifiers. Thousands of spectators had already taken to Simola Hill to experience the action at that point.

Record-setting UK stunt driver Terry Grant and local 2018 Dakar competitor Gerry van der Byl wowed the crowds in between runs up the hill, with Grant taking a Jaguar F-Pace for multiple runs on two wheels, and Van der Byl going up the hill on one wheel, using the same KTM motorbike he rode in the Dakar competition.

Among celebrities in attendance was well-known Afrikaans singer Bobby van Jaarsveld (right). Photo: Yaseen Gaffar

Day 3 – Beasts come alive
On day three the heat was on, and all the competitors pushed their four-wheeled beasts to the max up the 1.9km track. The weekend would culminate in a record-breaking performance by André Bezuidenhout in a time of 35.528 seconds.

Bezuidenhout, who was also the king in 2017, was not only crowned King of the Hill this year but walked away with the Single Seater and Sports Car Shootout title as well.

Bezuidenhout’s Nicholson McLaren NME-engine Gould GR55 dominated most of the weekend practice sessions and qualifiers, mostly with sub-40 second times.

This father of a newborn accepted his crown at the prize-giving ceremony, including champagne celebrations, and an incredible Knysna sunset.

In the Modified Saloon Car shootout Wilhelm Baard in his Nissan GTR R35 beat the rest with an attack on the 1.9km course completed in 39.463 seconds. Reghard Roets, also in a GTR R35, was victorious in the Road and Supercar Shootout with a time of 44.892 seconds.

To view the full results visit www.speedfestival.co.za.

Pit girls pose next to a Nissan GTR. Photo: Yaseen Gaffar

Tender moments
The third day of the Hillclimb also had a very special moment when former Queen of the Hill and Hillclimb Ladies team member Donny Lamola took the hill on to show that she is determined to return to the track someday soon.

Lamola, supported by fellow female racer Paige Lindenberg, got in an open-wheeled race car and headed up the hill. Many of those watching could not hold their tears back. What made this moment so special is the fact that Lamola had a massive non-racing accident and stroke a few months ago and was told she would never race again.

She showed the crowd that she had different plans for her future.

A record 17 000 people attended the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb 2018. Photo: Yaseen Gaffar

Flying up the hill and through the air
This was also an unforgettable day for this journalist (Goosen). Not only was he rewarded with a sub-1 minute run up the hill with a professional Jaguar instructor behind the wheel of a Jaguar XE-S, a V6 3-litre monster, but he also had the opportunity to view the Hillclimb from the sky – in a helicopter! His first time ever.

“The G-forces on my body as we were screaming around the corners was crazy and the speed absolutely amazing! At one point we were doing 160km/h – I couldn’t believe it. I felt like I was on Top Gear for a moment, with Jeremy Clarkson upfront and the Stigg doing what the Stigg does best. The helicopter experience was awe-inspiring. No words could describe it. I have to thank Jaguar and Dominic Morel of the Knysna Speed Festival team.”

But so the day came to a close… Until next year though, when the beasts will be once again unleashed.