Andre Bezuidenhout in action in his Gould GR55. Bezuidenhout is the current track recordholder in the Single Seaters and Sportscars Class at Simola Hillclimb. Image: www.simolahillclimb.com
Pandemic puts brakes on opening of Simola Hillclimb 2021 entries
It is still an uphill battle for the organisers of the premier motorsport event to obtain a permit that will allow for spectators.
Andre Bezuidenhout in action in his Gould GR55. Bezuidenhout is the current track recordholder in the Single Seaters and Sportscars Class at Simola Hillclimb. Image: www.simolahillclimb.com
Knysna Speed Festival, the organisers of the Simola Hillclimb, has announced that the opening of the competitor entry process for the 2021 Simola Hillclimb has had to be delayed due to the prevailing uncertainty around COVID-19 regulations.
While the organisers had planned to get the entry process underway on 1 October as is the norm, the Lockdown Level One regulations currently in place do not allow for the Hillclimb to take place in its current format with spectators.
“We have engaged with the Knysna Municipality to secure provisional permissions subject to national government directives closer to the time of the event in May,” explained Knysna Speed Festival managing director Ian Shrosbree.
On track to get wheels of Simola Hillclimb turning
“We have had a positive response, but this process will still take some time to be finalised. Once we have these permissions, we will be able to engage with Motorsport South Africa to apply for a permit with the same provisos. Until such time as we have an MSA permit, we are unable to open entries.
“We are hopeful that we will be able to obtain the necessary permissions and permits soon so that we can get the wheels of Simola Hillclimb 2021 turning,” he concluded.
More about the Knysna Simola Hillclimb
The Simola Hillclimb has become one of the premier motorsport events in South Africa, attracting sports stars, celebrities, the country’s top drivers and cars, and of course, thousands of fans.
The Simola Hillclimb, held in the Garden Route town of Knysna, has over the years followed a race format in which the adrenaline-fueled track action starts off with the Classic Car Friday, comprising a dazzling array of 65 iconic cars and drivers of all eras competing for the prized Classic Conqueror Trophy.
On Saturday and Sunday, the big guns come out to play, and fans are treated to visions of 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 compete to take the King of the Hill titles in three categories: Road-going Saloon Cars and Supercars; Modified Saloon Cars; and Single Seater and Sports Cars.
For more information, visit www.simolahillclimb.com.
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