Entry applications and tiered online ticket sales have opened for the 17th Simola Hillclimb, which takes place in Knysna from 29 April to 2 May 2027. Spectators who buy online before 30 November pay the same prices as in 2026, a saving of up to 53% compared with tickets bought at the gate.
The event is run against the clock on 1.9 km of closed public road. Classic Car Friday on 30 April 2027 will feature up to 65 cars and drivers competing for the Classic Conqueror crown. On 1 and 2 May, a maximum of 84 competitors will contest three King of the Hill titles: one for Road Cars and Supercars, one for Modified Saloon Cars, and one for Single Seaters, Sports Cars and Sports Prototypes.
Simola Hillclimb entry applications and rules
The Simola Hillclimb is a strictly invitational event, and competitors can request an invitation via the event website. Applications close at 12:00 on 1 February 2027, and accepted drivers will be informed by 14 February.
Sporting director Leon Smith said the organisers have received interest from overseas drivers, teams and manufacturers. The main rule change for 2027 is wider eligibility for single seaters, racing sports cars and GTs in Classic Car Friday, which now runs “from 1990 up to and including 2005”. The Classic Car Friday entry fee is unchanged from 2026.
Defending champions and record times
Ian Schofield won his second Classic Conqueror title this year in a 1977 March 77B with a time of 40.881 sec. Clint Weston took back-to-back road car and supercar wins in the hybrid 2025 Mercedes-AMG GT SE E-Performance, setting a record of 42.527 seconds. Pieter Zeelie won the Modified Saloon Car title in his Toyota MR2 in 37.216 seconds. Robert Wolk, who passed away recently, won the single-seater category in a 2005 Gould GR55 in 35.024 seconds.
Simola Hillclimb ticket prices for 2027
Online prices rise by 15 to 16% at each tier. Tier 2 runs from 1 December 2026 to 31 March 2027, and Tier 3 runs from 1 to 29 April 2027. General Entry costs R190 a day in Tier 1 and R290 at the gate. A three-day pass costs R465 in Tier 1 and R720 at the gate. Pensioners aged 65 and over pay R190 a day or R465 for three days, and children under 12 enter free with online tickets or for R50 at the gate.
In Tier 1, three-day Pit Access costs R880, a three-day Turn 2 Grandstand seat costs R830 and a three-day Esses Grandstand seat costs R745. VIP Parking costs R165 a day and is sold online only. The new online bundles include the Friday Full Throttle at R590, the King of the Hill 2-Day Package at R1 730 and the Fast 4 Bundle, four General Entry tickets for the price of three, at R570. Entry to the Fan Fest on 29 and 30 April and to both parades is free. Tickets and entry applications are available at www.simolahillclimb.com.
Supplied by MotorPress (Colin Mileman, Media Communications, Simola Hillclimb)
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