No Petering out here

Update

KNYSNA NEWS - One of the highlights of the Simola Hillclimb every year is the presentation of the special Spirit of Dave Charlton award to participants who embody the spirit of this SA racing legend.

The award recognises two persons who reflect the late Dave Charlton's spirit of impeccable attention to detail, meticulous preparation and commendable performance - one for Classic Car Friday and the other for the King of the Hill weekend.

This year it was an all-Peter/Pieter affair, as the two recipients were Peter Lindenberg and Pieter Zeelie.

For this year's Classic Car Friday, racing legend Peter Lindenberg received the award. Lindenberg retired from competition at the end of 2021, closing the book on a long and distinguished career in both car and powerboat racing.

As the custodian of the Shelby franchise for South Africa, and head of the Lindenberg racing team, Peter remains intimately involved in all aspects of both entities.

He and his family have supported the Simola Hillclimb for many years and helped bring a total of nine cars to the 2022 event - six of which competed in Classic Car Friday, with a further three taking on the King of the Hill.

Pieter Zeelie sets off from the line in his 2002 Toyota MR2 Super GT.

The recipient of the King of the Hill was 2021 Modified Saloon Car winner Pieter Zeelie.

Each year Zeelie has stepped up his game and he won the 11th edition of the Simola Hillclimb (2021) in spectacular fashion. He is now taking his game to the next level and is shipping his locally developed Toyota MR2 Super GT, powered by a turbocharged 3,5-litre V6 Toyota engine, to Europe to compete in the FIA International Hillclimb Cup.

Pieter Zeelie and his powerful 2002 Toyota MR2 Super GT make their way up the hill. Photos: Blake Linder