KNYSNA NEWS - From its humble beginnings in 2009 to making its mark on the international stage, the Simola Hillclimb has always had one overriding mission: to draw more visitors to the scenic and welcoming Garden Route town of Knysna to enjoy an unmatched blend of motorsport, entertainment and natural beauty - all while boosting the local economy and supporting the community.

It has achieved all of this and much more over the past 15 iterations, and very quickly earned the status of being South Africa’s premier annual motoring and motorsport lifestyle event. 

The Simola Hillclimb has drawn significant global interest, too, due to the exceptional level of competition, top-tier local and international drivers, and a dazzling array of classic and mild-to-wild road and race cars that you won’t see elsewhere. 

That it’s renowned as the world’s fastest hillclimb has further added to the allure, positioning it as one of the top hillclimb events globally.

Although the Simola Hillclimb takes place over a single extended weekend at the beginning of May each year, putting together an event of this calibre and scale is a truly gargantuan task. 

It requires year-round planning and co-ordination, combined with mind-boggling logistics, to transform more than two kilometres of a normal public road and surrounding areas into an adrenaline- and petrol-fuelled haven for enthusiasts.

We delve into what it takes to host the Simola Hillclimb, and some of the fascinating facts and figures that help make this the must-attend event of the year for competitors, spectators, vehicle manufacturers and importers, as well as event partners and sponsors.

Read more on sister publication, Knysna-Plett Herald

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