The Thrill of the Climb : The 2024 Simola Hillclimb Chronicles

The 2024 Simola Hillclimb was a cocktail of high octane and drama, serving up a feast of speed and mechanical symphonies in the lush backdrop of Knysna. In its 14th exhilarating year, the event crowned two new “King of the Hill” champions, while a familiar face shattered an existing record, ensuring the hill echoed with more than just the roar of engines.

Robert Wolk: From Single-Seater Struggles to the Summit

Robert Wolk, a name synonymous with precision and prowess in single-seater circles, finally clinched his first King of the Hill title. Steering the venerable 1989 Pillbeam MP58, now thunderously reinvigorated with an Infinity Indycar V8 engine, Wolk conquered technical gremlins to post a blistering 37.133 seconds in the class finals. His victory, marked by a trail of missed sessions and mechanical hurdles, was not just a win but a testament to perseverance. “Despite a temperamental engine in the Top 10 Shootout, we pushed through,” Wolk reflected, a grin as wide as his winning margin.

Dawie Joubert: Modified Mastery in a Ferrari-powered Lotus Exige

In the Modified Saloon Cars category, Dawie Joubert turned heads and corners in equal measure, piloting his Ferrari-powered Lotus Exige to victory. After an intense weekend that saw rivals fall to mechanical woes, Joubert consistently topped the time sheets, climaxing in a 38.405-second sprint that clinched his first King of the Hill title. The victory was a breakthrough, not just for Joubert but for rear-wheel-drive advocacy in a field often dominated by all-wheel-drive behemoths.

JP van der Walt: The Supercar Sovereign

JP van der Walt continued his reign over the Road Car and Supercar category, racing to his fourth consecutive title in a Porsche 911 Turbo S. Van der Walt wasn’t just racing against the clock but against his own legacy, ultimately setting a new class record of 42.935 seconds. “Every year brings new challenges,” van der Walt shared post-race, acknowledging the blend of technical tweaks and strategy that edged him past previous records.

Record Crowds, Record Thrills

The 2024 Simola Hillclimb wasn’t just about the champions. It was a spectacle of community and passion, drawing record crowds and a global online audience. Each class brought its own drama, from the agility of Suzuki Swifts to the sheer power of Mercedes-AMG beasts. The event proved that whether you’re a motorsport veteran or a curious onlooker, the hill always has more to tell.

Legacy and Spirit

The Spirit of Dave Charlton Award this year honored Team Scuderia Scribante, embodying the racing legend’s dedication to detail and performance. It was a fitting tribute in an event that, year after year, builds on its legacy, ensuring that the story of each climb is as compelling as the last.

As the dust settles on the 2024 Simola Hillclimb, the echoes of its engines continue to resonate, not just in Knysna but across the motorsport world. Here’s to the drivers, the teams, and the fans — until next year, when the hill calls again, promising another chapter of speed, spirit, and spectacle.

Road Cars and Supercars (provisional results, subject to final confirmation)

• A1: Thomas Falkiner – Suzuki Swift Sport: 53.784 sec

• A2: Nico Nel – BMW M135i xDrive: 56.928 sec

• A3: Farhaad Ebrahim – Toyota Supra: 45.264 sec

• A4: JP van der Walt – Porsche 911 Turbo S: 43.513 sec

• A5: Dayaan Padayachey – Porsche Cayman GTS: 49.322 sec

• A6: Gordon Nicholson – Audi R8 V10 Plus: 47.003 sec

• A7: James Temple – Shelby Mustang Super Snake: 47.833 sec

• A8: Clint Weston – Mercedes-AMG GT63 E-Performance: 44.134 sec

Modified Saloon Cars

• B1: Shuaib Dhansay – Ford Fiesta: 57.850 sec

• B2: Daniel Rowe – Volkswagen Polo SupaCup: 44.058 sec

• B4: Dawie Joubert – Lotus Exige (Ferrari V8): 38.966 sec

• B5: Aldo Scribante – Audi S4: 41.413 sec

• B6: Paul Munro – BMW M3: 46.874 sec

• B7: Pieter Joubert – Lotus Exige (Mercedes-AMG V8): 43.373 sec

• B9: Arnold du Plessis – Nissan Patrol Black Hawk): 54.457 sec

• B10: Steve Clark – Nissan R34 GT-R: 43.544 sec

Single Seater, Sports Car and Sports Prototypes

• C2: Ian Schofield – Mygale SJ Formula Ford: 42.048 sec

• C3: Robert Wolk – Pillbeam MP58 (Infinity Indycar V8): 37.133 sec

• C4: Josef Kotze – Birkin S3 (Toyota): 54.411 sec

• C6: Rui Campos – Shelby CanAm (Ford V8): 41.826 sec