KNYSNA NEWS - The 15th edition of the Simola Hillclimb lived up to its reputation as South Africa’s premier motorsport and motoring lifestyle event, blending high-speed action with unmatched camaraderie and community spirit.
Held annually in the scenic town of Knysna, the Simola Hillclimb draws competitors and spectators from around the country and the world.
Over three days, a stunning mix of classic and contemporary performance cars thunder up the 1.9km hill, chasing glory in one of motorsport’s most unique and vibrant events.
Friendship and memories
Although the stopwatch ultimately determines the King of the Hill, the true heart of Simola lies in the atmosphere that surrounds it. For many drivers, the event is as much about friendships and memories as it is about lap times and podiums.
Veteran competitor Craig Czank, owner of Czank Racing, has taken part in 11 of the 15 events to date and describes the experience as unlike any other in motorsport.
“We all race in different series, but this is the one time of year where we come together, share stories, help each other, and just enjoy it,” Czank said. “This year I broke a gearbox on Friday, and within the hour, I had five calls from rival teams offering help. That doesn’t happen anywhere else.”
One track, two challenges
Czank, who has raced everything from drag cars to time-attack machines, was back in action at Simola with two highly modified Lotus Exiges.
One of them, nicknamed ‘Grotus’, is powered by a Nissan GT-R engine and was driven by Devin Robertson. Czank’s own new build for 2025, a twin-turbo VR6-powered Exige named ‘Vrotus’, made its competitive debut this year.
He explains the choice of car: “The Lotus feels like a go-kart - it’s light, agile and really comes into its own in the twisty sections. We learned that pure power isn’t everything here. Weight matters.”
Indeed, the Simola Hillclimb course is divided into two main challenges: a flat-out launch to Turn 2, favouring high-powered, four-wheel-drive cars like the Nissan GT-Rs, and a tight, technical upper section where lightweight, nimble cars can claw back time. This balance creates an exciting, unpredictable dynamic year after year.
Adding to his 2025 campaign, Czank competed in Classic Car Friday for the first time, piloting a legendary 1991 Opel Kadett Superboss, owned by motorsport stalwart Farouk Dangor. The car, dressed in its iconic Speedy Car Sales livery, brought back memories of South Africa’s golden era of Group N racing.
“I was outgunned in terms of power, but I probably had the biggest smile of anyone crossing the finish line,” Czank said.
“Sometimes, it’s more fun to drive a car on the edge of its limit than one with too much power.”
True celebration of motorsport
The spirit of Simola, Czank believes, is defined by these shared experiences - the blend of history, innovation, competition, and community.
“The level of cars here is astonishing. Some people build cars just for this one race, and they come from all over to be part of it,” he said. “It’s a true celebration of what motorsport should be.”
As the 15th edition drew to a close, teams were already preparing for next year’s event. Czank confirmed that his team has decided on their 2026 entries, though he remained tight-lipped about the details.
The 16th Simola Hillclimb is set to take place from 30 April to 3 May 2026, and judging by the 2025 turnout, it will once again draw thousands of fans and some of the best machinery in the world.
For more information, visit www.simolahillclimb.com
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