SOUTHERN CAPE NEWS - A strong line-up of top drivers in an exciting array of cars have given the return to Knysna of the popular Simola Hillclimb a resounding 'Welcome Back!' by filling the entry lists well ahead of the event from 16 to 18 May.

There has been hectic preparation activity by both works and private teams since the January announcement that the Hillclimb was back.

Clearly, if you love motoring action, the place to be over the third weekend of May is alongside the twisty 2km road up to Simola. Get there and participate in the growing debate as to who will emerge as 'King of the Hill' after the final blistering runs at the close of the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb on Sunday 18 May.

The action surrounding the Hillclimb consists of two separate events – the Classic Car Friday and the King of the Hill shootout. The 80 entrants for the Saturday and Sunday King of the Hill shootout will be on display at the Knysna Waterfront for scrutinising before taking part in a special Town Parade looping through the town of Knysna from 14:30 to 15:00.

The whole of Saturday will be taken up with five practice runs up the hill and the first two of six qualifying rounds. Sunday has qualifiers numbers three through six, which will leave 57 finalists battling it out to reach the final 10 Shoot Out contenders.

Some of the drivers to look out for are:

• Multiple saloon car, and reigning Bridgestone Production Car class T champion, Graeme Nathan who will be out in an Evo2 Motorsport-prepared BMWCSI and is looking forward to his first experience of the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb.
• Peter Lindenberg made his name by winning 15 South African titles in powerboats before an accident at Saldanha Bay in 2002 left him critically injured. Once recovered he switched to tarmac on a full-time basis. Now he is one of the leading lights on the historic racing scene and will be competing at Simola in a replica 1965 Shelby Daytona Coupé Ford for Classic Car Friday and a Range Rover Sport in King of the Hill.
• The 2012 Knysna Hillclimb winner, Jade Gutzeit, ruled the Enduro motorcycle racing scene for a number of years before moving to circuit racing. Jade has taken to the Simola slope with intense enthusiasm and this year is armed with a potent Mitsubishi Evo 7 in which he will be looking for another win.
• Jaki Scheckter, son of multiple SA champion Ian,won the Formula Ford championship in 1992 and moved to the USA where he won the Barber Dodge crown in 1995 - beating former F1 driver and Indycar champion Juan Pablo Montoya in the process.
• Ferrari will be represented by Christopher Foulkes in a Ferrari California, while Aston Martin will have Mark Castel in a Vantage and Rens Rademeyer in a newer V12 Vantage S. Greg Parton will keep the Italian flag flying in a Lamborghini Aventador.
• Former Touring Car racers Deon Joubert and Barry Ingle will be lining up in Jaguars. Joubert is down to drive a Jaguar XFR-S and Ingle a Jaguar F Type.

Graeme Nathan
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