Latest news with #SimolaHillClimb
The Herald
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Herald
International stunt driver Terry Grant visits Bergsig School
Bergsig Special School in Kariega had the privilege of hosting well-known international stunt driver Terry Grant when he visited the school recently, along with local motoring mogul Marius Roberts. Grant, along with Marius Roberts, contacted Marco Griesel, who a teacher at the school and asked if it would be possible to do some work for them, as they were going to be doing some filming in SA around the Gqeberha and Kariega areas in preparation for the upcoming celebration of 50 years of the VW Polo internationally. Bergsig Special School was tasked with adapting a VW Polo and manufacturing some metal ramp stands for Grant to use at Simola Hill Climb in Knysna, where he would attempt to drive the Polo from the start to the top of the hill during the lunch break at the Hill Climb on just two wheels, as well as manufacturing other stands and ramps that would be used in a film shoot on the M4 freeway and in the harbour area. In a rear-wheel vehicle, it's a simple matter of welding the differential together, but due to the VW Polo being a front-wheel drive vehicle, it required special attention to detail to get both front wheels locked together. The first practice session was a short run that took place in the parking lot at the hotel in Knysna on the Friday night of the Simola weekend, to the delight of the curious crowd that had gathered. During Saturday's attempt up the hill, Grant got as far as turn three on two wheels before the electronic safety features in the car forced it into limp mode, reducing power from the engine. Before returning to the United Kingdom, Grant requested a visit to Bergsig School to see how and where the preparations were done and he was also keen to meet the pupils that were involved. On arrival he did a couple of stunts with the Polo to show the pupils that their hard work had paid off. This was followed by a meet-and-greet session as well as a tour of the workshops. 'This has been one of my best days in SA,' Grant said after the visit. 'I am so impressed with the quality of workmanship and the skills that the learners are taught here that I have taken loads of pictures to show my people back home in the UK how skilled the learners are, and will definitely visit again when I am in the Eastern Cape and will certainly be using them for some new projects in the future.' Teacher Griesel added: 'We as a school would like to thank Terry and Marius for the opportunity to be involved in such a big project that has given us some wonderful exposure, and we look forward to working together with them in the future.' The Herald
The Herald
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Herald
Great performances for EC drivers at Simola Hill Climb
There were some standout performances from Eastern Cape drivers at the 15th Simola Hill Climb in Knysna at the beginning of May. Gordon Nicholson in his Audi R8 V10 took part in his 11th Simola Hill Climb and continued his dominance in the A6 class that caters for standard production, road-going saloon cars with eight cylinders, and above that are naturally aspirated, by taking the class win with a personal best time of 46.517 seconds. He also finished fifth overall in the King of the Hill Shootout for road-going cars. This is the eighth time that Nicholson has achieved a class win, having previously competed in the A8 and A9 classes for hybrid cars in a BMW before he switched to the Audi R8. Dayaan Padayachey claimed his second class A5 for standard production, road-going saloon cars with five or six cylinders that are normally aspirated, in just his second year of competing in his magnificent Porsche Cayman GTS. In the B2 class for four-cylinder racing cars that are unlimited two-wheel drive vehicles with forced induction, Daniel Rowe was second behind his VW teammate Jonathan Mogotsi, in their VW Motorsport Polos GTIs, with East London's Owen Bridger in his Honda K24 in third. Another solid performance from Aldo Scribante saw him finish in third place overall in the B5 class for four-wheel drive cars with five cylinders or more in his Audi S4, His brother Silvio stormed to fifth place overall in the King of The Hill shoot-out for modified saloon cars in his ever-improving Audi RS3, followed by Wade van Zummeren, from East London, in his fire spitting Nissan GTR R34. In Friday's very wet classic car celebration, the powerful Nissan Skylines of Brent Watts and Rane Berry just couldn't find traction off the line, but provided many thrills as they sped up the hill, often drifting through the corners, but were unable to get into the class finals that were dominated by less powered front wheel drive vehicles. Neil Stephen took his rare 1972 Opel Manta to Simola for the first time and had an early scare when a pipe on the oil cooler came loose, and thus missed a few of the practice runs, which unfortunately cost him dearly and he wasn't able to make the class finals. The event was sadly marred by the tragic death of well-known competitor Pieter Joubert, who was killed after hitting a tree at high speed after his Lotus Exige left the road. Initial indications are that the car suffered steering failure.
The Herald
01-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Motocross Nationals roar into life at Rover Raceway
Round three of the SA National Motocross Championship takes place at Rover Motorcycle Club this weekend in what promises to be the most electrifying event of the season. Hosted at SA's only true sand-track that requires skill, speed and stamina from every rider with its fast straights, deep berms and many technical sections, it is a track that is known to separate the best from the rest and is a circuit where champions are made. The on-track action started on Thursday with unofficial practice and kicks into top gear with official practice on Friday, with the main event starting on Saturday at 9am. A host of local riders will be among the top riders in the country with the likes of young Wian Scheepers in the MX 50cc & MX 65cc Class; Aiden Retief and Seth van de Walt in the MX 85cc Class; Kyle Townsend, Keegan Hickson Mahony and Cameron Durow in the MX 1 Class; Breece Romans, Daniel Venter, Tristan Durow, and Cameron Durow in the MX 2 Class; Royce Griffin, Morne Janse Van Rensburg, Craig Kruger and Shawn Carver in the MX 3 Class; and Caden Weise, Andrew Venter and Tristan Durow in the competitive MX High School Class. Cameron Grobler, Ty Potgieter, Matthew Lockhart-Ross and Pieter Van Wyk compete in MX Support Class. National riders to look out for are Riley Geldenhuys, Brody Bircher and Trenton Kretzmann, who are all rising stars in the junior classes, and Cameron Durow, the 2024 MX1 and MX2 champion, as well as Jayden Proctor, who is competing in the same classes, and Trey Cox, who is the 2024 High School Class champion and happens to be the son of legendary racer Alfie Cox. For Caden Wiese, it will be a triumphant return to national action, as exactly a year ago he was lying in hospital fighting for his life after rupturing his spleen, among other life-threatening injuries, following a heavy fall during a practice session at Rover. Whether you're a die-hard motocross fan or just looking for an unforgettable day out with the family, this event has something for everyone, guaranteeing hours of fun with DJ Temo ODV keeping the beats rolling into the night at the Liquid Event After-Party that is set to start on Friday at 7pm. Upcoming events: May 2-4: Simola Hill Climb in Knysna May 3: National Motocross at Rover Motorcycle Club May 10: Extreme National Festival at Aldo Scribante Raceway; Dirt Oval Challenge series at Victory Raceway May 18: Distinguished Gentleman's Ride at Valley Road Motorcycles May 24: Karting round 4 of Algoa Kart Club Championship May 31: Drag Racing at Aldo Scribante Raceway; Dirt Oval Racing at PEOTR on Mission Road. The Herald
The Citizen
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
August Festival of Motoring promises thrills at Kyalami
The Festival of Motoring, a premier automotive event, will gather leading car brands, enthusiastic fans, and industry experts at the iconic Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit from August 29 to 31. This eighth edition, powered by WesBank, promises a stimulating showcase of automotive innovation, performance and excellence, embodying the spirit of Ubuntu – 'I am because we are.' Michael Dehn, managing director of Messe Frankfurt South Africa, the event organiser, highlights the festival's core: 'More than just a car show, the Festival of Motoring is about people, passion, and the unifying power of the automotive world. Together with WesBank, we aim to deliver an unforgettable and immersive motoring experience.' Lebo Gaoaketse, head of marketing and communication at WesBank, adds: 'We are proud to continue our partnership with Messe Frankfurt South Africa, sharing a vision to present Africa's definitive automotive event. The festival's success is driven by the collective effort of all involved, from exhibitors to attendees. We look forward to exceeding previous achievements and showcasing the best the automotive industry has to offer.' The impressive line-up of participating brands for 2025 includes VW, VW Commercial, Toyota, GAC, Suzuki, BAIC, GWM, Haval, Ora, Tank, Chery, Mahindra, Isuzu, LDV and Subaru. Over 100 automotive lifestyle exhibitors will also showcase accessories, services and mobility solutions. Attendees can enjoy complimentary hands-on experiences like the self-handling track to test driving skills and the 4×4 Adventure Zone for off-road exploration. For adrenaline seekers, the festival offers exclusive driving sessions featuring the BMW Motorsport Club Series, Simola Hill Climb activations and MasterDrive experiences, available for purchase from mid-May 2025 at special festival rates. A highlight this year is the debut of the Vilaca Racing Ultimate Car and Driver Challenge, a dynamic time attack competition spanning the three days. Motorsport enthusiasts will be thrilled by Formula One-type vehicle demonstration laps and two official rounds of the Sunbet ZX10 Masters Cup Superbikes, showcasing top riders pushing their limits on the track. Santam, a leading short-term insurer, joins as the sponsor of the Premium Suite and Adventure Zone. Nondumiso Mabece, head of brand and marketing at Santam, explains the synergy: 'Sponsoring the Festival of Motoring allows us to connect directly with vehicle owners, a key demographic for insurance. The Adventure Zone and Self-handling Track provide strategic platforms for interactive engagement, highlighting our insurance products and value-added services.' The Adventure Zone will feature activities like Subaru's obstacle course, a mini carnival for all ages (courtesy of Santam), and an upgraded premium hospitality suite. Judy Maharaj, show director of the Festival of Motoring, emphasises the event's significance: 'More than a car showcase, this festival celebrates car buying as a vital step towards a fulfilling life. We commend the exhibitors for their commitment to consumers, embodying the spirit of Ubuntu. The Festival of Motoring is where Africa's automotive passion thrives. Don't miss being part of this movement.' Join Africa's premier motoring celebration! Early bird tickets with discounts are available online until the end of April. Complimentary shuttle services will enhance the visitor experience. Source: QuickPic
