Entries open for Simola Hillclimb

The entry process has officially opened for the 2018 Jaguar Simola Hillclimb, the ninth edition of what is regarded as South Africa’s premier annual motoring and motorsport lifestyle event that takes place from May 4 to 6 next year.

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As a strictly invitational event, competitors can submit an expression of interest via the official website, www.jaguarsimolahillclimb.com, starting on October 3 and closing on January 26, 2018.

Last year, more than 225 applications were received for the available 144 slots by the closing date, and the entries for 2018 will once again be carefully selected by the organisers to produce the most spectacular and entertaining line-up of competitors for the three days of action.

The format for the 2018 Simola Hillclimb, held in the beautiful Garden Route town of Knysna, remains largely unchanged from the highly successful 2017 event.

The adrenaline-fuelled extended weekend starts off with the intriguing and emotive Classic Car Friday, comprising a dazzling array of 64 iconic cars and drivers of all eras competing for the prized Classic Conqueror Trophy which is currently held by three-time champion Franco Scribante.

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On the Saturday and Sunday of the Hillclimb the big guns come out to play, and fans can look forward to seeing everything from showroom-specification sedans and sports cars to elite supercars, virtually priceless pure-bred race cars and purpose-built Hillclimb beasts being pushed to the limit on the Simola Hill’s challenging 1.9 km course.

A maximum of 84 competitors will be vying for the King of the Hill titles in the three available categories: Road-going Saloon Cars and Supercars; Modified Saloon Cars; and Single Seater and Sports Cars.

The current title holders in the three respective classes are Reghardt Roets (Nissan GT-R), Wilhelm Baard (Nissan GT-R) and Andre Bezuidenhout in his impressive Dallara Ford F1 car.

With rapidly growing interest from abroad, it’s expected that an even larger contingent of overseas competitors will be joining the fray when the flag drops on the start line in May next year, adding to the allure of this truly exceptional automotive extravaganza.