A Motor-Powered Weekend In Knysna

The Knysna Simola Hill Climb is an annual motorsport event held in Knysna where drivers compete to navigate a challenging, 1,9 km hillside track known as Simola Hill. The track forms part of Old Cape Road, which connects the N2 to Simola Golf & Country Estate.

During this event, participants showcase a variety of vehicles, from classic cars to modern sports cars, racing against the clock to achieve the fastest time.

Spread over multiple days, the event features activities such as car displays, parades and, of course, racing!

With its scenic backdrop and competitive atmosphere, the Knysna Simola Hill Climb has become a premier event in South Africa’s motorsport calendar, attracting local and international drivers, as well as thousands of spectators from all over the country.

This year, the Simola Hillclimb will be taking place between Thursday the 2nd of May and Sunday the 5th of May 2024. Each day offers something new and exciting for spectators.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Fan Fest: Running across all four days at Knysna High School’s sports fields, the Fan Fest will include race car inspections, displays, and parades (Thursday and Friday only). More activities will be announced closer to the date on their website.

Classic Car Friday: Starting on Thursday at the Fan Fest, Classic Car Friday showcases historic vehicles. It closes with a parade on Waterfront Drive. Cars from pre-war to 1995 will hit the hill on Friday – period appropriate fancy dress is encouraged! Entry is by invitation only – you don’t want to miss out on viewing these classic masterpieces.

King of the Hill Shootout: On Friday, while Classic Car Friday unfolds, King of the Hill cars will be displayed. The weekend features the King of the Hill Shootout, where the fastest cars compete. Entry is invitation-based, prioritising cars with motorsport history or unique appeal.

Track action spans Saturday and Sunday, with different categories of car vying for victory!

Track Times:

Saturday: 9 am – 4.45 pm
Sunday: 9 am – 3.35 pm

For more details, visit the event page.

Base yourself at The Turbine Hotel & Spa when you come and watch the Knysna Simola Hillclimb!

We are only 4 km away from Old Cape Road, where most of the action will be taking place and are therefore ideally located to give you the best of both worlds – high-octane track action by day and tranquil evenings beside Thesen Island’s canals by night.

Browse our luxurious accommodation options here and get in touch to make your booking! You can either email us at book@turbinehotel.co.za or make use of our online booking platform.

We look forward to welcoming you to Knysna!

Note: All images above are credited to @simola_hillclimb (Instagram) – follow them for more information on the event. See you on the Hill!