KNYSNA NEWS - The management of Zwartkops Raceway, located in Centurion, Gauteng, issued an apology to Knysna Speed Festival, the owners of the popular Simola Hillclimb, after accusations that the raceway copied the regulations used for the Knysna event.

A statement posted on Simola Hillclimb's website said the copied event regulations in question were to be implemented at Zwartkops' "Top of the Hill" event that is due to be held in October.

According to the statement, the organisers first caught wind of Zwartkops Raceway's intentions this past weekend at the Festival of Motoring in Kyalami, Johannesburg.

"We had no idea that Zwartkops had used our regulations for its event until competitors approached us about it, having made the assumption that we had to somehow be involved due to the identical regs (regulations).

'Unacceptable'

"While we encourage the running of additional hillclimb events in the country, the use of our regulations, classes, naming conventions, event format, competitor selection process, graphics and other intellectual property in which we have invested many years of time, effort, experience and money, without permission is unacceptable and we have communicated this to the event organisers accordingly.

"To be clear, the Simola Hillclimb has no involvement whatsoever in this race meeting," the statement read.

In response, the chief executive officer of Zwartkops Raceway, Tanya Human, said they had intended to use the exact regulations and class specifications to ensure consistency for competitors familiar with the Simola Hillclimb.

'Not correct approach'

"We believed that by using a format that they already know, (it) would create a seamless experience for those entering. We now understand that using your regulations without permission was not the correct approach, hence our sincere apology," Human told Knysna Speed Festival.

"Zwartkops respects the time, effort, and resources you have put into making the Simola Hillclimb the success it is today, and we had no intention to undermine your hard work or brand."

Apology accepted 'reluctantly'

Emma Ross, operations manager for Knysna Speed Festival, confirmed receiving the apology from Zwartkops, but said it had been accepted "reluctantly" due to the financial implications of pursuing legal action. Ross stated that no additional measures will be taken beyond keeping the statement on their website.

The Simola Hillclimb is scheduled to take place from 1 to 4 May next year.

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