PETROLHEAD NIRVANA
CAR South Africa|CAR July 2023
Peeking over the clouds and onto the lush greenery of the Knysna landscape, the 13th edition of the prestigious Simola Hillclimb had the sun prevail through the tumultuous weekend weather moments before the King of the Hill Challenge was about to get underway
- Alex Shahini
PETROLHEAD NIRVANA

Sunday. King of the Hill. Marc Coetzer, media liaison on the ground for the event, briskly approached me at the bivouac with specific instructions to board the media shuttle and travel up the 1,9-km stretch of road and into the Simola Golf and Country Estate. There, on the grass helipad at the summit of the hill, awaited the helicopter that would provide me a front-row seat to the herculean machinery that was vying for the prestigious title.

The overcast, gloomy and wet weather was clearing! "It wouldn't be the Simola Hillclimb without a little bit of rain, now, would it?" These words were liberally echoed around the pit lane by seasoned drivers and attendees before I made my endeavour to get airborne.

Although some overnight rain and a brief downpour at noon would dampen the track and drench spectators, their spirits remained unscathed courtesy of theatrical runs by the likes of Petter Solberg and Jason Webb.

In a matter of minutes, the helicopter was primed and ready to fly, the sun finally overcoming the clouds and dappling the vast landscape with warmth and light. Strapped in, with headphones on - radio check - the altimeter began to climb. The only thing missing in this scenario was "Fortunate Son" by CCR playing in the background.

While the guitar solo stuck in my head, down below, bespoke GT-Rs and open-wheel single-seaters were charging up the hill.

The prospect of besting the all-time 1,9-km. record from 2022 is a tall ask considering the far-from-ideal air- and track conditions. That being said, how does Andre Bezuiden hout's record time of 34,161 from last year sound? Almost as impressive as the thunderous 3,8 litre V8 behind the cockpit of the Gould GR55. For those like me that aren't math inclined, that time over the Simola distance equates to an average speed of 200,228 km/h - mind boggling, considering drop-offs into wooded ravines alongside the slithering tarmac.

この蚘事は CAR South Africa の CAR July 2023 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

この蚘事は CAR South Africa の CAR July 2023 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

CAR SOUTH AFRICAのその他の蚘事すべお衚瀺
Toyota Fortuner
CAR South Africa

Toyota Fortuner

Considered by many as the quintessential adventure SUV, the Fortuner is about as strong a used buying proposition as you can get in this segment. We take you through the things to look out for and list two rivals for comparison.

time-read
4 分  |
CAR July 2024
MIND THE HURDLE
CAR South Africa

MIND THE HURDLE

With a repaired car and a point to prove, Alex Shahini returned for Round 3 of the Toyota GR Cup at Zwartkops Raceway to achieve a career-best finish

time-read
2 分  |
CAR July 2024
KING OF KILLARNEY
CAR South Africa

KING OF KILLARNEY

For four decades, Denis Joubert was directly involved with the creation, development and ongoing success of Cape Town's international motorsport venue, Killarney. Having just celebrated his 90th birthday, we talk to the man whose contribution to South Africa's motor-racing heritage is priceless....

time-read
6 分  |
CAR July 2024
Selecting the 4WD SYSTEM for your needs
CAR South Africa

Selecting the 4WD SYSTEM for your needs

As 4WD SUVS and double cabs grow in popularity, more first-time buyers face the challenge of selecting a vehicle with a drivetrain that best meets their requirements. We explain the key differences between the all-wheel drivetrains available

time-read
6 分  |
CAR July 2024
Kia Picanto 1.0 LX MT
CAR South Africa

Kia Picanto 1.0 LX MT

Kia's ever-popular budget hatch has recently received a range of exterior and interior updates - we test the entry-level variant to see if it remains a force to be reckoned with in this highly competitive segment

time-read
3 分  |
CAR July 2024
Super C
CAR South Africa

Super C

The fastest and most technologically advanced flagship C-Class to date, AMG's C63 S has evolved into an electrified uber-sedan. Has this mighty model forsaken some character in pursuing this status? We strapped our test equipment to the new shooting star.

time-read
4 分  |
CAR July 2024
Bentley's Brutes
CAR South Africa

Bentley's Brutes

A break in proceedings during an exclusive preview of the fourth-generation Bentley Continental GT afforded us an opportunity to sample the stately yet hair-raising Bentayga S

time-read
3 分  |
CAR July 2024
RUNNING UP THAT HILL
CAR South Africa

RUNNING UP THAT HILL

Now in its 14th year, the Simola Hillclimb continues to combine adrenaline-fuelled competition with showcasing some of the most appealing classics out there in a heady mix that keeps local petrolheads coming...

time-read
3 分  |
CAR July 2024
BAND OF BROTHERS
CAR South Africa

BAND OF BROTHERS

Complete with rugged bakkie-based underpinnings that encourage off-the-beaten-track venturing, largely proven powertrains that afford maximum range and towing capability, and brand names with enviable respective reputations for reliability, adventure SUVs remain the favourite of thousands of South Africans.

time-read
7 分  |
CAR July 2024
TWELVE OF THE BEST
CAR South Africa

TWELVE OF THE BEST

Ferrari keeps things suitably old-school with its V12-engined 12Cilindri GT

time-read
2 分  |
CAR July 2024