When the e-mails came in last year confirming that our entries to the Simola Hillclimb were accepted, we were elated! Simola is an incredibly prestigious motorsport event, truly world class. The competitors and vehicles involved? The best that SA has to offer and certainly enough to compete on the world stage. From stock road cars to purpose built hillclimb monsters, SUV’s to single-seaters, Simola has it all.
However, to fit the event into the allotted time slot safely, they can only realistically handle a certain number of entries. Every single category is over-subscribed and the selection process must be one of the hardest meetings to sit in on. It’s a bit like asking a parent to choose their favourite child. It is cut-throat and brutal.
So, as I say, given the cars and competitors that organisers have to choose from, getting into the Simola Hillclimb is truly an honour. Last year that honour was bestowed on both our barn find Supra (for less than the price of a new iPhone), and Andre’s Alfa Romeo 4C. Nico, with his Supra was a firm crowd favourite! Read all about that project HERE. Exuding strong JDM vibes and with a really cool zero to hero backstory. Andre and his Alfa 4C were the epitome of Italian organisation, planning and reliability… ahem…. Turning up to his first run on brand new tyres, that he spent most of the previous day getting fitted. The car had a brand new clutch too. Which if you look back over our content from last year, turned out to be less than stellar in its reliability.
People would stop us in the street
The point is, we went from being 4 average petrolheads going to Knysna, to having kids running up to us asking Andre and Nico for autographs. People would stop us in the street to talk about the Supra. Or pull up chairs in restaurants to join us and chat about Alfas. From being 4 incredibly famous youtube presenters and podcasters, we suddenly turned into celebrities! To be fair, the cars were the celebrities and we were their PR team.
Given the massive popularity of the Supra and the fact that the Alfa actually won its class this year. We were sure that our chances to get entries again this year, must have been up there. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. SO fierce is the competition, just to get INTO the competition! Both the Alfa and the Supra were refused entry into the event. Andre did get an entry for the Rally Rav, but last years favourites simply didn’t have space.
just how incredibly lucky we are
Yes this was a sad and frustrating response to receive. And Yes there was a brief moment I considered writing one of my infamously strong worded e-mails. But, in the end it was just a humbling reminder of just how lucky we were to be honoured with entries last year. A reminder of just how incredibly lucky we are! To even be considered in the same company as some of the Legends who drive up the hill. Due to a last-minute cancellation, Andre was given entry for the Alfa. So it is going to be defending its title, but having first been rejected almost makes us appreciate it even more now! At least for me it does.
the FOMO is setting in
So with a new yet-to-be-announced racecar furiously being prepped for the 9hr of Ilamuna. And the Rally Rav and Alfa being prepped for Simola, the FOMO is setting in. And it is STRONG. Don’t get me wrong – I love nothing more than going to Simola or Lemons with my mates. I love helping on the cars, helping in the pits, playing crew chief on the 9hrs and confusing the daylights out of Andre with cryptic radio messages. But, it’s not driving is it?
I have a racecar in my garage. Been there a while now…. Maybe I should finish it and start doing some driving myself…?
Get your tickets to the Simola Hillclimb HERE and join us for one of the best events on the calendar!