The 15th edition of the Simola Hillclimb was characterised by difficult emotions mixed with brave competition at the highest level during the King of the Hill challenge.
Sunday’s shortened programme was dedicated to Pieter Joubert who sadly passed away following an accident during the day’s opening run.
While Pieter’s brothers and fellow competitors, Charl and 2024 winner Dawie, withdrew from the event, they insisted that it should continue in his honour.
Ultimately, two new King of the Hill winners were crowned, while a former winner blasted his way back to the top with an exceptional performance that set an impressive new record.
In the Modified Saloon Car category, 2021 winner Pieter Zeelie (photo) not only defeated the mighty four-wheel drive Nissan R35 GT-Rs of Reghard Roets (BB Motorsport) and Franco Scribante in his immaculately prepared rear-wheel drive Toyota MR2 Super GT, but he slashed an astonishing 1.039 seconds off Franco Scribante’s previous record of 38.129 seconds from 2022 during the all-or-nothing Top 10 Shootout with a truly impressive winning time of 37.090 seconds.
While Reghard finished second overall with a time of 38.370 seconds in the BB Motorsport GT-R, this year’s event was truly electrified by Volkswagen bringing seven-time World Rallycross champion Johan Kristoffersson to take on the Simola Hill. The Swedish ace blitzed the electric vehicle record with his fastest time of 39.001 seconds during the thrilling final run in the Volkswagen Polo RX1e that he drove to the WRX championship victories in 2022 and 2023.
Byron Mitchell claimed top spot on the podium in Single Seater and Sports Car King of the Hill, along with class C2 title in Reynard Formula VW, achieving best time of 41.696 seconds.
Clint Weston secured first King of the Hill title in Road Car and Supercar category in hybrid-powered Mercedes-AMG GT 63 SE E Performance on 43.174 seconds and Anton Cronje received the Spirit of Dave Charlton Award.
The Kia Carens nameplate makes its return to South Africa, this time as a seven‑seater designed with families in mind. It combines Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) styling with Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) practicality, offering space, comfort and efficiency, Kia says.
Volvo has confirmed that its vehicles will now integrate Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence system. This development builds on the company’s existing collaboration with Google, which already provides Android Automotive OS and Google services in Volvo models.
New vehicle sales in 2026 continued their positive trend in April, with the 47 979 units sold marking the best April figure since 2013. This represents a remarkable performance by local automotive retailers despite a host of economic headwinds and a challenging trading environment.
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Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
Volvo has confirmed that its vehicles will now integrate Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence system. This development builds on the company’s existing collaboration with Google, which already provides Android Automotive OS and Google services in Volvo models.
New vehicle sales in 2026 continued their positive trend in April, with the 47 979 units sold marking the best April figure since 2013. This represents a remarkable performance by local automotive retailers despite a host of economic headwinds and a challenging trading environment.
April 2026 marked a turning point in South Africa’s economic landscape, as global energy markets were jolted by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, according to naamsa | The Automotive Business Council.
