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.
Denne historien er fra CAR July 2023-utgaven av CAR South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra CAR July 2023-utgaven av CAR South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
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.
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
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....
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
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
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.
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
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...
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.
TWELVE OF THE BEST
Ferrari keeps things suitably old-school with its V12-engined 12Cilindri GT
