The fun-filled weekend started on Friday 16 May with the pre-1975 cars competing in the Classic Car Friday and culminated on Sunday 18 May when the muscular engines thrilled the crowds competing for the King of the Hill crown. While the classic cars battled it out for the title of Classic Conqueror, Knysna's streets resembled that of Monaco as the younger, and in some cases fiercer, cars paraded through the streets of Knysna.
The excitement and adrenalin were palpable, especially when Greg Patron sped past in his 2012 Lamborghini Aventador. Knysna's Tanya Watts stole the hearts of the spectators as she drove by in her 2007 Audi RS4.
Not only did Franco Scribante make history in his 1970 Chevron B19 when he won the title of Classic Conqueror and two days later crowned as King of the Hill, but he also broke the 2012 41,933sec record. Scribante took the chequered flag in a quick 41,159sec. Desmond Gutzeit, in his Nissan, crossed the finish line in 41,705sec followed by the 2008 Nissan GTR driven by Darron Gudmanz in 41,900sec.
The crowd threw their support behind Watts and loud cheers could be heard as she negotiated the 2km stretch of the Simola Hill. These cheers were once again heard echoing through the valley when she received the crown of Queen of the Hill during Sunday's prize giving.
Sadly, a few competitors' cars were written-off during the weekend, but thankfully no drivers were physically injured although some were left with their egos slightly bruised.
Among the bruised egos was possibly Deon Schoeman, from DSTV's RPM, after he wrote off a brand new Jaguar F-Type after overshooting one of the corners on the 2km track. A mechanical malfunction caused Jacques' Wheeler to lose control of his pristine 2009 Mercedes-Benz Sl65 Black series. This car, valued at $300 000 (over R3-million), careened in and out of a culvert before driving over a few safety tyres, resulting in an abrupt end to Wheeler's weekend racing.
Besides the excitement of the 80 contestants racing up the hill in lightening speed, motorcycle stunts and aerobatics entertained the thousands of spectators during the breaks.
"Thank you to all the spectators, all the drivers and all those involved. Without you there would be no event. Until next year, feel alive," said Kevin Flynn, Jaguar South Africa MD.
Winner of this year's Jaguar Simola Hillclimb, Franco Scribante in his 1970 Chevron B19 negotiating a corner.
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