Jaguar stays for race

REAFFIRMED: AGAIN HEADLINE SPONSOR FOR SIMOLA HILLCLIMB EVENT

Carmaker commits for three years.

Jaguar South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb, announcing it would remain the headline sponsor of the popular event for three more years.

The Jaguar Simola Hillclimb has seen remarkable growth since Jaguar came on board as the headline sponsor in 2014.

Attendance has reached record numbers, with the 2016 event seeing 14 206 spectators pack the stands along the 1.9km road course for three spectacular days of racing.

Event logistics and infrastructure have both evolved to cater to larger crowds, to offer spectators an unforgettable fan experience that will have them returning year after year.

Demand for event entries has also started to exceed supply and event organisers have had to rethink the entire entry system.

For this year, a new mechanism was implemented to allow all competitors a fair chance at participating, effectively turning the event into an invitational.

Despite this, organisers still received 201 applications of interest for the 145 available seats – a record number of participants, and up 46% from 2013.

More racers than ever are taking part – and the level of competition has resulted in tense final moments during the King Of The Hill shootout.

Historic cars, sports cars, supercars, single seaters and purpose-built hillclimb racecars all feature, driven by South Africa’s most famous race drivers.

The country’s top motoring media get to demonstrate their mettle in a selection of Jaguar’s premium sports sedans, and VIPs can experience the high-speed thrill of racing up the hill as a passenger in a Jaguar.

The 2017 Jaguar Simola Hillclimb will kick off with the Classic Car Friday town parade and Charity Golf Day on May 4 next year.

Racing will start with Classic Car Friday on May 5, while King of the Hill competitors will excite the townsfolk with a parade and display.

The thrilling King of the Hill shootout revs up on the next morning and continues until the next afternoon.

The competitor entry application process will go live next month. – Motoring correspondent