KNYSNA NEWS - The Modified Saloon Car category may be home to the most extreme and powerful cars at the Simola Hillclimb each year, but if you're looking for the fastest machines on four wheels, then it's the Single Seater and Sports Prototypes category that rules the Simola Hill.
And five-time winner André Bezuidenhout is gearing up for another shot at breaking his own record up the hill.
André Bezuidenhout has made this class his own over the past five events, with his unbroken winning streak starting in 2017 with his 1989 Dallara F189 Formula One car.
The pure race-bred machine set an impressive record and winning time of 37,807 seconds in 2017.
For the 2018 event, Bezuidenhout acquired a 2007 Gould GR55 from the UK – a purpose-built hillclimb car powered by a 3,8-litre V8 Nicholson McLaren engine. The GR55 has an enviable reputation, including winning every round of the 2006 British Hill Climb Championship. It immediately set a new benchmark at the Simola Hillclimb, as Bezuidenhout slashed his previous record by more than two seconds (35,528) on his very first outing with this impressive machine.
A cooler 2019 event
Colder conditions in 2019 saw Bezuidenhout post a slower time of 36,764 seconds on his way to a third victory, while the 2021 event defied all expectations as he broke the 35-second mark with another record time of 34,965 seconds.
His unrivalled streak continued last year as he not only obliterated the record by posting a time of 34,1 seconds, but Bezuidenhout also became the first person to complete the tight and twisty 1,9km Simola Hill course at an average speed of more than 200km/h (200,228) – from a standing start.
A truly astonishing feat in anyone's terms!
What about another record?
The big question for this year is whether a sub-34 second time is possible. "The answer is yes, but it all depends on the weather conditions, the road surface and how the car and driver feel on the day," Bezuidenhout says.
The team has done extensive work on the car since last year's event, mainly out of necessity. "Upon returning from Simola last year we noticed severe suspension damage, which necessitated several serious maintenance and upgrade tasks," Bezuidenhout explains.
"The very bumpy Simola road has taken its toll on the Gould, and we hope to not only have restored the car, but also to improve it."
More than King of the Hill
Bezuidenhout isn't only focused on King of the Hill, as he will be competing in Classic Car Friday once again, mounting a serious challenge to the dominance of six-time winner Franco Scribante.
"I am bringing the 1975 Lola Formula Atlantic back for Classic Friday," he says. "Last year I was taken out of the event on the first practice run by a competitor who bumped my car from behind while he was removing his helmet. The Lola has undergone a complete restoration and I am looking forward to the tussle with Franco for the Classic Car Friday title. This is going to be a close one."
The 13th Simola Hillclimb, which takes place from 4 to 7 May, has a family twist for Bezuidenhout as his son, Jandré, will be driving his dad's first race car, the 1985 Porsche 944 Turbo Cup, in Classic Car Friday.
"It will be Jandré's first motorsport event and I cannot wait to make this a family affair."
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