Gallery Update
KNYSNA NEWS - The first Simola Hillclimb since 2019 to be free of any Covid-19 restrictions, this newfound freedom saw the weekend draw crowd numbers last seen prior to the pandemic.
It was perhaps all too fitting then that these spectators were treated to a masterclass by André Bezuidenhout, who enjoyed the perfect weekend as he claimed his maiden Classic Conqueror title as well as his sixth King of the Hill trophy.
From the onset, the 2023 Simola Hillclimb was billed to be the best one in recent years, with new additions to the offerings specifically catered to the fans.
This included additional fanfare on Thursday and Friday, 4 and 5 May, which saw exhibition stalls from various Hillclimb partners on the Knysna High School fields in Hedge Street.
There was also a great turnout for each of the parades on Thursday and Friday, with the King of the Hill edition on Friday proving to be one to remember.
An oil spill at the western Waterfront Drive/N2 intersection meant the parade was delayed for almost an hour. But, instead of dampening spirits, it only heightened the excitement and by the time things got underway, anticipation was at fever pitch.
With crowds lining the street, lighting up the road with their phones, and the cars zooming by flashing their lights in the eyes of the spectators, it really was one for the books.
Action-packed Friday
This was only a taster for what lay in wait during the weekend. Classic Car Friday was treated to perfect racing weather, something that CCF competitors have not been privy to in recent years.
While it made for a lack of spectacular crashes, it did ensure there was plenty of action.
The most successful CCF driver and the overall most successful Hillclimb driver, Franco Scribante, was once again rendered unable to compete for his seventh Classic Conqueror title.
After not passing scrutineering last year, this year the engine in his Chevron B19 seized during the third qualifying session, meaning he couldn't compete in the class finals or Classic Conqueror shootout.
André Bezuidenhout took full advantage of this, clocking a time of 41,715 seconds in his 1976 Lola T460 to hold off defending champion Ian Schofield and win his maiden Classic Conqueror title.
Wet Sunday
If conditions on Friday and Saturday were perfect to push the limit, Sunday was the day that tested the drivers the most. Overnight rain on Saturday coupled with sporadic rain throughout Sunday meant that it would be a wet and tricky end to the Hillclimb weekend.
Conditions were never consistent; the intermittent rain never allowed the track to dry out properly. You never knew what you were going to get.
Despite the uncertainty in track conditions, drivers didn't hold back. The likes of Solberg, Roets, Scribante and Bezuidenhout just kept on, pushing as hard as they could under the conditions.
Heinrich du Preez and his 1985 Cobra KCC struggled at times.
Top 10 shootouts
By the time the three top 10 shootouts were held, conditions had improved somewhat with a dry line forming on track, but not quite enough for any record-breaking times.
In the Modified Saloon Cars Shootout, Franco Scribante (39,877 seconds) won his fifth King of the Hill title, and his 11th overall Hillclimb title when combined with his Classic Conqueror wins. Roets was in second place (40,359 seconds) while Solberg finished third (41,281 seconds.
JP van der Walt dominated the Road-Going Saloons and Supercars Shootout, finishing in a time of 44,991 seconds to win his third straight King of the Hill title in this category. Garth Mackintosh placed second (47,621 seconds) while former Formula 1 driver and Hillclimb debutant Mika Salo (47,876 seconds) was one place behind.
André Bezuidenhout was in a league of his own in the Single Seater and Sports Prototypes Shootout. He didn't hold back in his final run and blitzed his way up the hill in 37,580 seconds.
It was enough to secure his sixth consecutive King of the Hill victory. Devin Robertson (40,794 seconds) finished second in the category while Andrew Rackstraw (41,589 seconds) was third.
An estimated 17 500 spectators poured through the gates during the course of the weekend which, while not record attendance, makes it the best-attended Simola Hillclimb since 2019. Organisers will be hoping to do even better next year.
Shiraz Bawa rounds turn four on Saturday.
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