Hillclimbing At Knysna

Darryl Hurter was a complete novice to formal motorsport until his application was accepted in 2016 for a prestigious hillclimb event at Knysna in South Africa. He was back again in 2017 with his 1974 Triumph 2500TC – known as the Chicane in South Africa – which he drove 3500km from his home in Durban, raced up the hill and then drove home again. This is his story.

- Darryl Hurter

My 1974 Triumph 2500TC (known as the Chicane in South Africa) was purchased in January 2010, and has endured three round trips of 3500km since then. I have to say that all these odysseys were accomplished in great comfort. The Triumph had been parked in a barn for five years when I found it, and was mechanically sound but required cosmetic TLC. The 2500cc straight six is fitted with twin Stromberg carburettors, and there is overdrive on third and fourth gears. The colour is Willow Green, and I enjoy driving it at least once a week.

However, it has always been a dream of mine to take part in a formal motorsport event. This dream came true last year at the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb, a prestigious event that takes place in Knysna, South Africa at the beginning of May every year. At the end of April 2016, my wife Rosemary and I drove from Durban to Mossel Bay to attend the 2016 Triumph Sports Car Club Nationals, where the Chicane was awarded a gold medal in the concours. During the five day National Gathering, we took a day off to drive the 120km from Mossel Bay to Knysna. The hillclimb is a premier event on the South African racing calendar, with Classic Car Friday attracting 64 entrants ranging from Austin 7 Specials to the winning 1970 Chevron B19. My car was totally standard except for Minilite rims, and I had never taken part in anything like it before so it was a real thrill and honour. Even better was to be invited back to do it all again this year.