The Knysna Simola Hillclimb is South Africa’s premier motoring and motorsport lifestyle event — held annually on the Garden Route in Knysna, with event offices at 6 Long Street, Thesen House, Knysna, and described as “the world’s fastest hillclimb.” Set against the stunning backdrop of one of South Africa’s most beautiful coastal towns, the Simola Hillclimb has grown from modest beginnings in 2009 into a globally recognised celebration of speed, engineering excellence, and motorsport culture — a multi-day event that brings together vintage icons, legendary race machines, hot hatchbacks, exclusive supercars, and highly modified beasts built specifically to conquer the tight and challenging 1.9 km Simola Hill. With international stars including Mika Salo, Petter Solberg, Johan Kristoffersson, Jean-Michel Bayle, Randy Pobst, and Cole Powelson, alongside South African icons such as Sarel van der Merwe, Ian and Jaki Scheckter, Geoff Mortimer, and Andre Bezuidenhout having competed, and Franco Scribante as the event’s most successful competitor to date, the Simola Hillclimb is widely regarded as one of the top hillclimbs in the world.

The History: From 2009 to a World-Class Event

The Knysna Speed Festival began in 2009 with the inaugural Simola Hillclimb. From modest beginnings, the event quickly gained popularity, and by 2012 had become one of South Africa’s top motorsport attractions. In 2014, with Jaguar South Africa as the headline sponsor, the event entered a new era of growth and professionalism.

“When we launched the first edition, many doubted whether a motorsport event could thrive in Knysna. But we believed in the potential of something different — something world-class. Through bold vision, careful planning, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, we’ve transformed the Simola Hillclimb into a landmark event on the international motorsport calendar.”

The Knysna Speed Festival’s vision is to be ranked among the top three hillclimbs globally, with a mission to draw more visitors to Knysna to enjoy an unmatched blend of motorsport, entertainment, and natural beauty — while boosting the local economy and supporting community charities.

The 2026 Edition: 16th Simola Hillclimb, 30 April – 3 May

The 16th edition of the Simola Hillclimb takes place from 30 April to 3 May 2026 — coinciding with the Workers’ Day public holiday on Friday 1 May, making it more accessible for fans wanting to enjoy a long weekend on the Garden Route. The event runs over four days:

Thursday 30 April & Friday 1 May — Fan Fest — held in Hedge Street, central Knysna, incorporating race car scrutineering, public display, and parade.

Friday 1 May — Classic Car Friday — catering exclusively for historic, classic, and vintage cars (eligibility extended over the years from an initial pre-1975 cutoff to reflect the evolving landscape of historic racing), kicking off with scrutineering and a public display, closing with the popular and entertaining parade in Waterfront Drive. Drivers, friends, and spectators are encouraged to attend in period dress as glorious cars from pre-war to 1995 grace the hill.

Saturday & Sunday — King of the Hill Shootout — track action runs from 09:00–16:45 on Saturday and 09:00–15:35 on Sunday, with the country’s fastest machinery duelling it out on the Simola Hill. The identified list of potential entries is invited based on results from the earlier rounds of the event.

The Simola Hill: 1.9 km of Challenge

The 1.9 km Simola Hill is the venue itself — a tight and challenging course that has hosted “an exhilarating and unparalleled showcase of exceptional road and race cars spanning all eras, from the 1920s to contemporary machines that continue to redefine the rules of performance.” The hillclimb format means each car runs the course individually against the clock — a format that rewards both raw power and precision driving on a course with no room for error.

For Spectators: What to Expect

A Wanderlog reviewer described the event as “a thrilling event… an exhilarating experience for both car enthusiasts and spectators, with the highlight being the exciting race up the Simola Hill. The event showcases a variety of high-performance vehicles and attracts petrol heads from all over… overall, it is a fabulous day out that promises fun and excitement for everyone.”

Practical tips for attendees:

• Bring sunscreen, a hat, an umbrella, and chairs for comfort, as shade areas are limited
• Arrive early for better parking spots and seating options
• Opt for general entry tickets with pit access to fully experience the event atmosphere
• Engage with sponsor activities — computer racing games and similar fan experiences are available at sponsor stands (e.g. Monster)
• The Friday evening street event in Knysna is a particular highlight, with a variety of food and beverage vendors
• Security personnel are present, and pit access provides a real sense of the event atmosphere

Parking and Shuttles: Visitors can park off-site at the Shuttle Hub at the Knysna Bowling Club (corner Nelson and Hedge Streets) and use the shuttle service running 07:00–18:00 from Friday to Sunday. Tickets for the shuttle are R35 per person, return. Internal event shuttles are also available.

Merchandise: The latest Simola Hillclimb merchandise — including caps and a variety of T-shirt designs celebrating the event’s status as the world’s fastest hillclimb — is available on-site.

Location and Getting There

The Simola Hillclimb event office is at Office 110, Thesen House, 6 Long Street, Knysna, Western Cape, 6570. The Hillclimb Start Line is located at GPS coordinates -34.017299, 23.028515.

Tel: +27 (0)44 382 7500
Email: info@speedfestival.co.za

For event tickets, schedules, and the latest news, visit Simola Hillclimb’s official website or simolahillclimb.com.

Explore more events and attractions in Knysna and the Garden Route through our Knysna event venues directory, or browse all Western Cape event venue listings for venues across the province.