Hope remains for Hillclimb

KNYSNA NEWS - With the planned starting date for the 2021 Simola Hillclimb just under three months away, organisers remain adamant and positive that there will be racing in Knysna again this year.

Knysna Speed Festival (KSF) has organised the Simola Hillclimb 10 times to continually growing audiences since 2009, and managing director Ian Shrosbree has stated that they are "energetically" approaching this year's event.

"There is a growing swell of interest from competitors and regular fans as our first-choice date of 6 to 9 May draws closer," Shrosbree said, adding that the May date remains first choice for a carefully managed spectator event.

"We are currently energetically engaging with all our stakeholders to examine and analyse the risks against the background of the Covid-19 pandemic and what it might hold three months from now."

According to Shrosbree, following the need to cancel last year's edition of the event, there remains a strong commitment from all to run the event this year.

"If May can't happen, we have already pencilled in 2 to 5 September as our next-best 2021 option. As soon as we have engaged with all the stakeholders we will make an announcement as to running the event in May or September."

Importantly, Shrosbree said that careful scrutiny and background work has already gone into examining the options of a "virtual Hillclimb" and the alternatives of running without the on-the-Hill spectators and streaming the event for TV audiences.

"We do know that the Simola Hillclimb has developed its own very special persona where motor sport fans and audiences are able to get up real close to the action and relate and interact with the drivers and their crews face-to-face in the pits - it's very hard to replace all of that in virtual streaming!"

A driver prepares to take the first corner of the track in 2019. Photo: Blake Linder

He said the viability of running the event without crowds is marginal.

However, KSF is clearly committed to complying with Covid-19 regulation requirements at all times.

"This might mean that the event does not look quite like it has in the past as we will have to run it according to the budget that we have available and, although we don't foresee the three days of competitor activity on the hill changing much, we might have to cut down or cancel the other activities that go with the event such as the fan fest, the Waterfront parade and vehicle displays."

A racer sets out from the start line during the 2019 Simola Hillclimb.
Photo: Blake Linder