Imagine the sounds at Simola

Yochanaan CoetzeeYou may have been wondering why all the hullabaloo about the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb that kicked off yesterday? Well, it's because its an event like few others in Africa, maybe even the world.While the format is popular all over the world, the combination of Knysna's incredible scenery and the cacophony of crackles, roars and eardrum ringing rapture that thunders through its picturesque hills as the world's best cars and fines drivers test their mettle and stake their claim as the King of the Hill, that makes this near-mile a motoring must.From humble beginnings in 2009, the Knysna Speed Festival story began with the first running of the Simola Hillclimb. The event grew rapidly between 2010 and 2012. However, the Hillclimb truly came of age when Jaguar South Africa came on board and elevated its status from Africa's premier motoring event to a truly global highlight for motoring enthusiasts.Dubbed the “Goodwood Festival of Africa”, The Jaguar Simola Hillclimb attracts top drivers and novice enthusiasts from all over the world, and even though you can literally smell the competitive spirit mixing with scent of high octane fuel and punished premier rubber, sportmanship and the celebration of motoring remain at the hillclimb's core.For Ian Shrosbree, the founder of the event, the quality of the experience is what makes it so special. “Our focus over the last three years and going forward, is not on the total numbers but on improving the overall spectator and competitor experience, and enhancing the iconic uniqueness of the offering to true performance motoring enthusiasts.” “We want them to attend in large numbers which, of course, is good for us and our sponsor partners. But, most importantly, we want them to thoroughly enjoy each moment and put the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb onto their once-a-year must-attend motor sport bucket list into the future.”THE FINEST AND THE FASTESTThe list of beautiful cars that have participated in the past include classics such as the Porsche 956, Porsche 917 and a 1961 LDS Formula 1; to more modern machinery including a 1989 Formula 1 Dallara, a March 79B Formula Atlantic, a variety of Ferraris, the new McLaren MP4-12C and 650s, Lamborghini Gallardo and Aventador, Porsche GT3RS, Nissan GTRS in every stage of modification imaginable, a Jaguar XKRs Coupe and hand full of F-Types, and an Ariel Atom.The on-track action gets underway today with Classic Car Friday, featuring 64 entries spanning a total of 58 years of iconic motoring and motor racing pedigree.The action on Saturday and Sunday is dubbed the King of the Hill Shootout and sees some of the most blistering runs by heavy-hitting high-performance machines, piloted by mavericks whose skills can only be compared to their steely nerves.A variety of classes cater to a wide range of machinery, but there's no doubt that all eyes, ears and sphincters are on the fire spitting, tire shredding exotics and specialist race cars with wings as big as a Cessna's at the noisier end of the pack. Speeds of up to 260 km/h are reached and the 1.9 km stretch of tarmac is dispensed with in just over 38 seconds . . . from a standing start!It's literally over before you can think.For 2017 they've split the King of the Hill challenge into three categories: the SuperCar Shootout, Modified Saloons, and Sports Cars and Single Seaters. We have done this to ensure competitors can compete on an equal footing. Over the years the Sports Cars and Single Seaters have become too fast for the racing saloons to stand any chance of victory. It was also a similar reason that they introduced the SuperCar Shootout in 2016 with great success. In that instance the modified saloons were too fast for the standard super cars giving them no chance. The cars will practice, qualify and compete in their classes as per the King of the Hill but will have their own shootout final between the ten fastest cars in each category.Unfortunately, I was not able enough to attend this year, but after hints that this could be a possibility in future, Jaguar Land Rover Windhoek were kind enough to soothe my broken heart and let me take out the impeccable 2.0 XE to get a feel for what the feisty Feline would feel like chasing up the hill to motorhead heaven.The XE in is cracker of a luxury sedan and at times makes its German counterparts look dull. In Portfolio guise, it's comprehensively kitted with fine materials in fresh, modern take on old world luxury. While not as grand as the larger Cats in its pride, its appeal and premium feel should not be underestimated. One of the stand out features is its exquisite wrap-around dashboard which is hard to describe, but incredibly satisfying to look at. Seriously, you'll just want to sit in it, appreciate the stunning architecture of the interior and ponder which of the 4 colour schemes and 8 veneer finishes you'd pick when you get your N$800 000 together.KEEP CALM & CARRY ON SWIFTYCompeting with the likes of the C-class, A4 and the 3-Series is never going to be easy, but the XE benefited greatly from extensive (read; expensive) research and development, and does well to distinguish itself from the crowd.Its styling is understated, in a glamorous kind of way, commands the right kind of attention with its cat-like curves and stately body shape which implies motion through its high rear haunches and beautifully crafted grille seemingly gaping in anticipation of some action.Thanks to a range of sophisticated technologies including Adaptive Dynamics, Integral Link rear suspension, Torque Vectoring, and Jaguar's next generation braking system, the XE offers Jaguar's legendary refined ride quality and when needed, does jolly well on the trot too.In Comfort mode the ride is supple and composed, but I was trying to make it up my own imaginary version of the 1.9 km Simola hill, so I switched into sport mode and judging by the fact that my dials had turned red and the XE's purr turning to more of a snarl, I think I was rubbing it the right way.It launches like a real-life jaguar, and quickly employs its 177 Kw and 340 Nm like a British boss to swoosh it to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds.With all the joy going to its rear wheels, the XE is has the ability to offer elegant exhilaration and shows nothing, but class on its way to its 250 km/h top end.BETTER THAN BEANS ON TOASTI was so wrapped up with its phenomenal composure carting through the complex corners of our chosen course outside the city limits, that I completely forgot to time myself through the 1.9 km climb and ended up canning the Cat until only a great photo opp forced me to stop.Though I couldn't be there to have the limit of my ear-drums tested by the back-firing, fire-breathing, turbo-spooling masterpieces on their runs or to feebly try to capture some of them as they launched and exploded up the track.There are few things that compare to the smell of as precision engines purring in preparation for some serious punishment, but a couple of hours in exquisitely crafted luxury sedan has put a month long smile on my face and will help me sleep easier at night this week knowing their motoring magic is happening and I can't be there to witness it.Imagine what it could do for you if you owned it?Make a point to visit Jaguar Land Rover Windhoek and get a feel of this dapper and distinguished English aristocrat and bolster your personal brand by bucking the Bavarians for something a bit more British.

Imagine the sounds at Simola

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Republikein 2026-05-05

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Imagine the sounds at Simola

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Republikein 2026-05-05

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