While the competitors and the dazzling array of cars being enthusiastically driven up the 1.9 km Simola Hill are the main attraction, it also creates a fantastic marketing opportunity for sponsors and partners who play a vital role in its success.

This year’s sponsors include Castrol (5^th year) sponsoring the Media Centre which will house the contingent of journalists, photographers and video crews covering the event. Additionally, as a sponsor of the Hyundai N motorsport team, it will have branding on the i30n driven Hyundai SA’s Joshua Lowe.

Suzuki’s high-profile involvement in the Simola Hillclimb enters its fourth year, taking a prime spot as a Tier 1 sponsor.

“Over the past three years, our partnership has not only showcased Suzuki's vehicles in an adrenaline-fuelled setting but has also allowed us to connect with a dynamic audience that shares our values of adventure and performance,” says Eileen Gengan, PR and Events assistant manager, Suzuki Auto South Africa.

Suzuki will again be competing in King of the Hill with three vehicles and will also feature in the Knysna Parade at the Waterfront on the Friday afternoon leading up to the main event.

Volkswagen will be back at the 2024 Simola Hillclimb as a Tier 2 Partner following a very successful and exciting 2023.

“This event is iconic and couldn’t be in a better place, Knysna! It provides us with a platform to engage with the fans who love Volkswagen,” says Mike Rowe, Head of Volkswagen Driving Experience. “We use it as an opportunity to entertain important guests and bring some exciting cars for the elite motoring fanatics to enjoy.

“The Volkswagen line-up will include the Polo WRX car, which will be seen in action for the very last time as well as the powerful Polo SupaCup race car,” he says.

Hyundai provided the official media shuttles, a supporting role that the company is continuing this year to facilitate the efficient movement of photographers and video crews to designated points along the 1.9 km Simola Hill course.

The brand is also planning to compete in King of the Hill with the mildly tuned i30n for the second consecutive year, with Hyundai Motorsport and N Product manager, Joshua Lowe, behind the wheel.

XPEL is a leading global brand in paint protection films and has been participating in the Simola Hillclimb since 2017, first as an exhibitor and thereafter as a partner sponsor for some high-profile teams, including Franco Scribante Racing, André Bezuidenhout and Cars & Chronos (Feroz Ebrahim).

This year, XPEL is sponsoring the marshals’ overalls and gazebos, while also taking some pitlane branding. “The Simola Hillclimb is the ideal event for us to create awareness of the XPEL brand and reinforce our commitment to motorsport, while also giving something back by making events like this a success for our fans and those who love the sport,” says Meyer Pheiffer, managing member and co-founder of Custom Protection Products, the South African distributor for the XPEL range.

PG Glass is continuing its support for the Simola Hillclimb for the second consecutive year by sponsoring the apex markers placed along the 1.9 km hill climb course. The company is also providing free shuttles for the public from the designated parking areas to the main entrances and from Gasoline Alley to the pits.

“The Simola Hillclimb is a premier motorsport event, and its layout, along with the excellent spectator areas and fantastic VIP areas, make it a wonderful event where we can be entertained and where we can interact with our customers and the motoring public,” says Steven Lurie, Commercial director for PG Glass.

• Information and online ticket sales at: www.simolahillclimb.com