It’s time for the Simola Hillclimb taking place from 5-7 May 2023 in the picturesque town of Knysna! Here’s how you can watch the action!

The 2023 Simola Hillclimb is revving up to wow spectators over 3 days (5-7 May 2023) starting with Classic Car Friday followed by the King of the Hill taking place on Saturday and Sunday.

The 1.9 km Simola Hill will see a large variety of cars blasting up the curvy tar to claim victory, including a wide range of local and international racing legends. WRX/WRC champion, Petter Solberg, will pilot a 419 kW Polo R WRX Supercar up the hill while 4-time King of the Hill winner and reigning Modified Saloon Car champion, Franco Scibante, will guard the title with his attack-inspired Nissan GT-R.

Ashley Oldfield will be racing the new BMW XM at the 2023 Simola Hillclimb.

Cars.co.za’s very own race ace, Ashley Oldfield, will be piloting the new BMW XM which offers a mighty 480 kW and 800 Nm from its Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) powertrain. Zero to 100 kph is claimed at 4.3 seconds with a top speed of 250 kph (270 kph optional) The XM is due to go on sale in South Africa in 2023 with expected pricing starting at about R3.4-million.

“So… I am excited to see how this new BMW XM goes up the Simola hill. It’s the first time the car will have been used in a competitive format globally so I’m not sure what to expect from it. BMW makes excellent-handling cars but I will be fighting to overcome the 2.8 tons workingagainstme”, says Oldfield.

Gero Lilleike will be looking for a podium finish in the 1931 Ford Model A Speedster.

But that’s not all, Cars.co.za Journalist, Gero Lilleike, will be representing the oldies in the Classic Car Friday event where he will be driving a 1931 Ford Model A Speedster up the hill for the second consecutive year. The Model A is one of many highlights to be seen on Classic Car Friday and is one of 4 cars being raced by Knysna-based amateur racing outfit, Classique Edge Racing, which will also be fielding a 1964 Ford GT4 Mk II Replica, 1956 Jaguar D-Type Replica and a 1946 Austin A40 Special.

“It’s a true honour and privilege to drive this 92-year-old Ford Model A up the hill at Simola. It’s like nothing I’ve ever driven in my life and it’s a completely unique and exhilarating driving experience. The team at Classique Edge Racing has done a fantastic job preparing the car for this event and I am hoping to drive the Model A to a podium finish. I can’t wait”, says Lilleike.

How to watch the 2023 Simola Hillclimb

If you aren’t able to get to Knysna to watch the action live, you will be able to watch the entire event via the Cars.co.za YouTube Channel or the Simola Hillclimb livestream at simolahillclimb.com. The Livestream will be hosted by Cars.co.za’s YouTube sensation, Ciro De Siena, and popular radio DJ and F1 presenter Sasha Martinengo.

Also tune in to our social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook!

Coverage will also be aired on SABC Sports Channel at the following times:

Friday 5 May: Live from 14:00 – 15:30

Saturday 6 May: 19:30 – 20:50 (delayed, recorded at 14:00)

Sunday 7-May: 16:00 – 18:00 (delayed, recorded at 14:00)

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