Legendary South African racing driver Sarel van der Merwe is the ceremonial Grand Marshal for the 16th Simola Hillclimb. As one of South Africa’s most successful race and rally drivers, it’s a privilege to have him waving off the King of the Hill competitors in 2026.
Van der Merwe won the inaugural Simola Hillclimb in 2009, driving a V8 Masters Ashley Ford Mustang. His winning time was 43.040 seconds, setting the foundation for the Simola Hillclimb to become internationally renowned as South Africa’s premier motoring and motorsport lifestyle event, and officially the world’s fastest hillclimb.
He is pictured with Ian Shrosbree, a co-founder and the MD of the Knysna Speed Festival, which owns and runs the annual Simola Hillclimb.
