The 17th Simola Hillclimb, scheduled to take place in Knysna from 29 April to 2 May 2027, has opened entries and tiered online ticket sales. The event, run against the clock on a 1.9 km closed public road, will feature Classic Car Friday on 30 April and three King of the Hill titles on 1 and 2 May. Spectators who purchase online tickets before 30 November will pay the same prices as in 2026, with savings of up to 53% compared to gate prices.
Entry applications for the Simola Hillclimb are now open, with competitors able to request an invitation via the event website. The event is strictly invitational, and applications close at 12:00 on 1 February 2027. Accepted drivers will be informed by 14 February. Sporting director Leon Smith reported 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.
Classic Car Friday on 30 April 2027 will feature up to 65 cars and drivers competing for the Classic Conqueror crown. The entry fee for Classic Car Friday remains unchanged from 2026. 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.
Defending champions and record times from the previous year include Ian Schofield, who won his second Classic Conqueror title in a 1977 March 77B with a time of 40.881 seconds. 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.
The Simola Hillclimb has introduced tiered online ticket pricing, with prices rising 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.
Children under 12 enter free with online tickets or for R50 at the gate. The event also offers various online bundles, including 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. The Simola Hillclimb is a popular motorsport event in South Africa, attracting competitors and spectators from around the world. With its unique format and scenic location, the event is expected to draw large crowds again in 2027.
Key points
- The 17th Simola Hillclimb will take place from 29 April to 2 May 2027 in Knysna.
- Entries and ticket sales are now open, with 2026 prices available until 30 November.
- The event features Classic Car Friday and three King of the Hill titles.
