One of South Africa’s most popular motorsport events is just days away, with the Simola Hillclimb once again set to draw fans, competitors and manufacturers to the Garden Route.
The event is scheduled to take place from 30 April to 3 May 2026, with practice and qualifying sessions in the first two days and the main King of the Hill shootout over the final weekend.
The annual spectacle has grown into a highlight on the local motorsport calendar, combining high performance machinery with a festival like atmosphere.
Where and when?
The Simola Hillclimb takes place on Simola Hill in Knysna in the Western Cape, using a short but demanding stretch of tar that winds its way up the hillside. The 2026 event marks the sixteenth edition and is expected to attract record crowds following continued growth in recent years.
The event typically runs over three days, with practice sessions and qualifying rounds building up to the main competitive shootout on the final day. Spectators are accommodated at various viewing points along the route, while the paddock area offers close access to the cars and teams.
Classes and King of the Hill:
The event features a wide mix of machinery, split into different classes. These include road going production cars and highly modified or purpose-built race cars, ensuring a diverse field ranging from everyday performance vehicles to extreme machines designed purely for speed.
The highlight of the weekend is the King of the Hill shootout, where the fastest competitors from the various classes go head-to-head for overall honours. This title is regarded as the ultimate prize at Simola, crowning the quickest driver and car combination on the hill.
In recent years, the King of the Hill title has been dominated by specialised race machinery. The past three winners have all come from the single seater or prototype style classes, underlining the level of performance required to claim outright victory on the demanding course.
A growing motorsport spectacle:
Since its inception, the Simola Hillclimb has developed into a globally recognised event, attracting international drivers and attention. It combines elements of traditional hill climb racing with a broader lifestyle experience, making it appealing to a wide audience beyond hardcore motorsport fans.
Attendance continues to climb, with more than 20 000 spectators recorded over a recent edition. The event also serves as a platform for automotive brands to showcase new models and technologies, adding to its appeal.
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