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
Step change
In 2014, with Jaguar South Africa as the headline sponsor, the event entered a new era of growth and professionalism. Today, the Simola Hillclimb is widely regarded as one of the top Hillclimb’s in the world, celebrated for its unique mix of competitive spirit, heritage, and world-class execution.
Legendary Drivers
Over the years, the Hillclimb has welcomed a host of legendary drivers including international stars like 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. Franco Scribante remains the event’s most successful competitor to date.
Iconic Cars
An equally impressive lineup of vehicles has taken to the hill—from classic icons like the Porsche 917, McLaren MV8 Formula 5000, and LDS Formula 1, to modern machines including Formula 1 cars, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsche GT3s, McLarens, BMW M models, Ariel Atoms, and Radical SR1s.
Hillclimb Specials
The Hillclimb has also inspired the creation of some truly outrageous, bespoke machines built specifically for the event. Notable examples include “The Sheriff,” a 1,200 kW Nissan GT-R developed in New Zealand; Dezzi Gutzeit’s thunderous Skyline GT-R R32; Pieter Zeelie’s ferocious Toyota MR2; and Dawie Joubert’s Ferrari-powered Lotus Exige.
Early Festival Format
In its early years, the Speed Festival expanded into a multi-event format featuring karting, a motor show, slot car challenges, soapbox derbies, and 4×4 activities. However, after 2012, the focus returned to its core: the Hillclimb. This allowed the team to concentrate on growing the Hillclimb into a world-class event.
Classic Car Friday
In 2012, a three-day format was introduced, with Classic Car Friday dedicated to vintage, classic, and historic vehicles. Initially showcasing pre-1975 cars, the eligibility has since been extended to reflect the evolving landscape of historic racing.
King of the Hill
Saturday and Sunday host the King of the Hill Shootout, where high-performance, fire-breathing machines race flat-out over a 1.9 km course. Speeds exceed 250 km/h, and top drivers complete the run in under 35 seconds—from a standing start.
Fair Competition Structure
To ensure fair competition, the King of the Hill was split into three categories from 2017: SuperCars, Modified Saloons, and Single Seaters & Sports Cars. Each category has its own final shootout among the ten fastest contenders.
Fan Fest
An integral part of the experience is the Fan Fest, held in the heart of Knysna. Fans can meet the drivers, see the cars up close, and enjoy the street parade where race machines bring noise, smoke, and excitement to the town.
Vision and Mission
The Knysna Speed Festival’s vision is to be ranked among the top three Hillclimbs globally. Our mission is 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.