Tuesday, 14 June 2022

Colin-on-Cars - Dakar prize up for grabs

Colin-on-Cars - Dakar prize up for grabs

The longest and toughest race on the South African Rally-Raid calendar, the Toyota Gazoo Racing 1000 Desert Race, is much more than just a round of the series because, within the chase for championship points, is the race for entry to the Dakar.



The event kicks off in the Northern Cape town of Upington on June 24 and the ‘race to Dakar’ is open to all privateers who have not previously taken part in the Dakar Rally. The winning competitor can choose to enter the next Dakar or the following one, effectively giving the team a maximum of 18 months to prepare for the race.

Eligible

This means crews who have previously won the Dakar Challenge or Road to Dakar, but have not been able to take up their prize, are eligible to win again in 2022.

In order to further level the playing field for competitors, the organisers of the Dakar Rally have set a rule that both the driver and navigator must be Dakar rookies, neither having taken part in the Dakar Rally before.

The 2022 Road to Dakar will include not only free entry to the Dakar Rally, but also a cash prize of 8 000 euros, which will assist the winning team in their preparations for the mammoth race. The total value of the prize is near R700 000, essentially paving the way for rookie privateers to realise their Dakar dreams.



“Toyota South Africa has a long and proud history in the world of cross-country racing, both locally and on the International stage,” says Toyota SA Motors Vice-President for Marketing, Glenn Crompton. “Our Dakar-winning Hilux is proof of our commitment, and we are excited to be able to support the Road to Dakar again this year, opening the door for rookie privateers to compete in the Dakar Rally, through the flagship event on the SARRC calendar, the TGRSA 1,000 Desert Race.”

Status

However, championship status is what the NWM Ford Castrol team will be looking for in what is the second round of the series with the Sugarbelt 400 in KwaZulu-Natal postponed as a result of the recent devastating floods.

Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer (277) are the leading NWM Ford Castrol Team contenders, having finished on the podium in third place at the wet and muddy opening round – the Mpumalanga 400 held in Dullstroom in March – and are currently placed third in the championship. 

They are eagerly in the hunt for their first victory in the premier FIA category in the EcoBoost-powered Ford Ranger, having come tantalisingly close on several occasions but lucked out at the final hurdle.



Team-mates Lance Woolridge and Elvéne Vonk (234) are determined to make it to the finish and score valuable points after a disappointing non-finish in Dullstroom. The crew were leading the Mpumalanga 400 on day two but slid off the track in the slippery conditions and hit a tree which damaged their vehicle’s chassis, forcing them to retire.



“Our race-leading pace and podium finish at the Mpumalanga 400 bodes well for this year’s Desert Race, which poses the unique challenge of a three-day marathon race format covering almost 1 000 km. This makes it the longest and toughest event of the year, but a crucial one in the championship fight,” says Neil Woolridge, team principal of NWM. “We have done further testing and development of our T1+ Ranger since Dullstroom, and I’m confident that we will be even more competitive at the upcoming event.”

Qualifying

The T1 EcoBoost Rangers were very quick at last year’s Desert Race in Upington, with Lance and Elvéne finishing third after an exciting battle with their major title rivals. Gareth and Boyd were also on a charge, having set the fastest times in qualifying and on Sunday’s opening loop in the 2021 event. Unfortunately, they picked up several punctures on Saturday and had a drive belt failure within sight of the finish line on Sunday which set them back.

“Gareth and Boyd are more determined than ever to turn their impressive pace into a race victory, and it will be exciting to watch our two T1+ NWM Rangers in action,” Woolridge says.

The Desert Race kicks off with a 75 km Pirelli Qualifying race, starting at 12:00 on Friday June 24 at the race headquarters and designated service park (DSP), located at the Upington Expo Centre.

Identical

The action resumes on Saturday at 08:00 and comprises two identical loops of 200 km each, separated by a 30-minute mandatory service stop. According to the organisers, the route will be similar to last year with a mix of sandy tracks, mini dunes and gravel and rocky sections.

On Sunday the competitors will set off at 08:00 and tackle two loops of a different 200 km route comprising small dunes and sandy sections, once again split by the scheduled 30-minute service stop.



The NWM Ranger V8 remains the leading contender in Class T for lower-specification solid-axle vehicles. Wors Prinsloo and Andre Vermeulen (T41) opened their 2022 campaign in Dullstroom with victory and an impressive ninth place in the overall results. However, Prinsloo subsequently sold his Ranger to X Rally Team, NWM’s long-standing customer team in Brazil, and will be focusing his efforts on the 2023 SARRC season.

Fight

This leaves second-place finishers at the Mpumalanga 400, Bernard and Minette Johnstone (T22), and Christo Rose/Arno Olivier (T58) who claimed the final step on the podium, to fight for the Desert Race win and overall Class T title this year.

Access to the DSP is free and unrestricted, and the competitors can be viewed at numerous easily accessible spectator points along the race route.

Follow all the action and track the position of the crews throughout each of the 2022 season’s races using the RallySafe app which can be downloaded free of charge for iOS and Android devices.


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Thursday, 9 June 2022

Colin-on-Cars - Much expected at Lake Umuzi Rally

Colin-on-Cars - Much expected at Lake Umuzi Rally

There is an air of expectation building ahead of this weekend’s rally double-header at Lake Umuzi with Toyota Gazoo Racing SA’s Guy Botterill and co-driver Simon Vacy-Lyle hoping to see their Starlet on the top step of the podium.

The promise shown in the opening two rounds of the 2022 South African National Rally Championship (NRC) held in the Western Cape last month were offset by teething problems that saw them unable to score meaningful points during either day of the event.



As such, the pair will be hunting for significant points at this weekend’s Lake Umuzi Rally, held in the area surrounding the Mpumalanga town of Secunda.

“The new car is clearly very fast, and we haven’t even tapped into its true potential yet,” says Botterill. “We’ve made a number of changes to the car since the last event, and we’re hoping for better reliability this time around.”

The Toyota Starlet rally car was fully built and developed in South Africa, and represents the Durban-based team’s first development of this nature. Despite their relative lack of experience in terms of designing and building a car from scratch, it was immediately evident at the Cape Overberg Rally they have built a highly competitive rally car.



“Now we just need to work on the reliability, which is to be expected with a completely new car,” continues Botterill. “We’ll be pushing hard to make up the ground we lost in the championship during the opening rally, but need to strike a balance between good results and ensuring that we finish both days of the event.”

The Lake Umuzi Rally will represent Rounds 3 and 4 of the 2022 SANRC, with the first round taking place on Friday, June 10. The second round follows on Saturday, utilising different stages.


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Monday, 30 May 2022

Colin-on-Cars - New commercial vehicle player

Colin-on-Cars - New commercial vehicle player

ETG Logistics has been appointed the local distributor for Ashok Leyland products and will operate dealerships for the Indian company in six key Southern African countries.

Ashok Leyland, flagship of the Hinduja Group and India’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, has vehicles across the commercial spectrum from heavy to light, offers a range of agricultural engines and military vehicles.



Amandeep Singh, Head of International Operations, Ashok Leyland says, “We have ambitious growth plans for the African Market. Our time tested products are well suited for the African terrain and offer a superior value proposition to customers. 

Present

"ETG group’s extensive connections in these markets will complement our growth plans. We are already present in most of the East and West African countries. We now have the right product portfolio with Best in Class TCO to cater to requirements of this market and provide an excellent value proposition for customers.”

Rajeev Saxena, CEO of ETGL, said, “We are excited to announce our partnership with Ashok Leyland Ltd.  This partnership will be instrumental in bringing a range of Commercial vehicle solutions to address specific requirements of different customer groups in the territory.”



ETG Logistics operates an established automotive and farm equipment distribution business in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique and Kenya with plans to increase our footprint in East and Southern Africa, amongst other regions.

There are no details at this stage as to which vehicles will be launched locally.


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Monday, 23 May 2022

Colin-on-Cars - New home for auto trainees

Colin-on-Cars - New home for auto trainees

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has launched of the Toyota Manufacturing Academy (TMA) at the Coastal KZN TVET College in Mobeni, Durban.

Officially opened by Minister Higher Education Dr Blade Nzimande, TMA forms part of the Automotive Training and Re-Skilling in the Post-COVID Economic Recovery for Vulnerable Youth and Women in South Africa project. Coastal KZN TVET College, as well as Tshwane South College (Pretoria) and Northlink College (Cape Town) are three beneficiaries of the programme.



“I have always advocated for an increased partnership between our TVET Colleges and the industry as we continuously enhance our curriculum to respond to the needs of the industry,” said Nzimande.

Signing

The launch of the TMA was preceded by the signing of a memorandum of understanding between UNDP South Africa and DHET – supported by the Government of Japan in July 2021.

The parties agreed to set up a project that would up-skill youth and women for skills relevant to the automotive industry, supported by the Government of Japan.

“Youth development is key to addressing address the triple development challenges of poverty, inequality, and unemployment.

Untapped

"Honing their skills and unlocking their untapped talent not only promote inclusive and sustainable economic development but also have a transformational impact on society.

"We are very proud of many achievements in youth development the project has made in such a short period through the multi-stakeholder partnerships,” confirmed Dr Dr Ayodele Odusola: Resident Representative for the UNDP in South Africa.



The project dates back to March 2021, and since then a series of interventions have been delivered to strengthen the capacity of TVET colleges to align with the post-COVID-19 economy and labour market needs, including the provision of learning equipment.

Provision

This support has benefited the Coastal KZN College automotive training through a provision of mechanical, electronics, electrical workshop and ICT equipment.

TSAM established the TMA to broaden and strengthen its training capacity and work towards further empowering youth to become future leaders in a reindustrialized South Africa. UNDP and GoJ provided the workshop equipment for TMA supporting 24 young people through the academy.

According to TSAM’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Services Group, Suben Moodley the automotive sector is facing what Toyota Motor Corporation President, Akio Toyoda described as a “once in century period of disruption”.

Future

This refers to transformation by a wide range of new technologies, and non-technological aspects such as social, economic, and environmental factors are part of our future landscape.

“Traditional markets are being redefined as new types of vehicles are introduced, ranging from hybrid to plug-in hybrid, battery electric and fuel cell electric vehicles, with a wide range of driver assistance systems, which require digitisation and smart factory systems with the skills set to go along with them.

“Equally important, soft skills such as resilience, flexibility, problem solving, and creativity will be highly valued. This aspect should not be underestimated and needs to be included into educational training programs. So, the challenge is not just technical skills but a combination of soft and technical skills,” concluded Moodley.

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Friday, 20 May 2022

Colin-on-Cars - New I-Link auto shifter for Volvo Trucks

Colin-on-Cars - New I-Link auto shifter for Volvo Trucks

Quicker response with shift speed increased by up to 30% is the basis of the faster I-Shift gearbox Volvo Trucks South Africa will be introducing locally next year.

The significant drivability improvement, which has been added to drivelines at all emission levels, is achieved by the new way in which the I-Shift gearbox interacts with the engine.

The update includes faster clutch activation that results in a shorter torque interruption. It also makes the gear shifting smoother, for a more harmonious driving experience.



Faster gear shifting makes it possible to optimise the gear selection more efficiently.

Improvements

"And the more shifting events that the road and terrain require, the more the improvements will be experienced by the driver. With up to 30% faster gear changing now possible using I-Shift, drivers will certainly experience a very positive difference,” says Eric Parry, senior manager of sustainability at Volvo Trucks South Africa.

The high-speed shifting is achieved based on several key improvements.

Sensors

First, updated sensors now provide data with higher accuracy to the control unit, which features new software and a faster microprocessor, for much quicker calculation times. Second, an added disc in the gearbox brake makes it react faster before a gear shift, so it can be done earlier.

Volvo I-Shift gearbox

Finally, the air volume has also been reduced in different actuation systems, for example, the shift forks, the clutch, and the gearbox brake, to further enable a faster gear shift.

Evidence

These latest advances to gain 30% faster gear changes are further evidence of Volvo Trucks’ continuous improvement actions to provide better all-around driveability.

“With all the improvements and new variants over the years, I-Shift has had an outstanding ability to solve more and more advanced tasks in efficient ways. This means not only delivering high performance and fuel efficiency but also outstanding driveability and comfort for the drivers,” added Parry.

Today, all extra heavy Volvo trucks are built with I-Shift as standard. Since its introduction, more than 1-million trucks have been sold globally with I-Shift technology.


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Thursday, 19 May 2022

Colin-on-Cars - Isuzu moves to Euro V tech

Colin-on-Cars - Isuzu moves to Euro V tech

Isuzu Motors South Africa is ramping up its contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by introducing Euro V technology to its new generation N and F series range of trucks.

While South Africa’s vehicle population of 11-million road vehicles is only 0,79% of the world total, responsible Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and fleet operators cannot, and do not, overlook the harmful effects of exhaust emissions.



As from 2008, all vehicles sold in South Africa had to comply with Euro II – Euro III and IV have not been compulsory in South Africa while Euro VI has already been introduced in Europe.

Distinction

There is an important distinction between greenhouse gases and European emission standards that are driving both diesel fuel and diesel engine technology – Euro emission standards impact on quality of air, greenhouse gases impact on the climate and the aim of Euro emissions standards is to reduce the levels of harmful exhaust emissions, chiefly: Nitrogen oxides (NOx) Carbon monoxide (CO) and Hydrocarbons (HC).



The success of Euro standards is linked to the quality of diesel fuel, particularly the sulphur content ratio.

Sulphur oxides are destroyers of filtration equipment. While 50 ppm sulphur (parts per million) is now generally available, regulations will limit sulphur in diesel to 10 ppm  so Isuzu’s truck introduction of Euro V standards is timeous and matches the change in fuel standards.

Treatment

The Move to Euro V comes with after-treatment in the exhaust system. A combined unit comprising a Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) and a Particulate Oxidation Catalyst (POC) for the N-Series and DOC for the F-Series ensures that emission is limited to Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Water (H2O).

The advantages of this system is there is no need for any additives such as urea (AdBlue) to make the technology work for a clean exhaust.


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Tuesday, 3 May 2022

Colin-on-Cars - Isuzu pitches in

Colin-on-Cars - Isuzu pitches in

The South African Automotive Masterplan (SAAM) aims to achieve 60% localisation of components by 2035 and Isuzu Motors South Africa has pitched in with an investment of R580-million – a move that includes provision of the supplier tooling needed to manufacture specific components in preparation for the recently launched all-new 7th generation Isuzu D-MAX bakkie.
















This has been a four-year journey for Isuzu and one they have travelled together with their local suppliers, as they embarked on a new sourcing strategy at the beginning of 2018. 

Technical
The process included classifying local suppliers that had the technical capability to manufacture a list of Isuzu components required for the new D-MAX bakkie.

Billy Tom, Isuzu Motors South Africa President and CEO says, “Localisation is essential in transforming the automotive sector. SAAM 2035 could see the automotive industry growing from 600 000 to 1,4-million vehicles a year in production. 

Opportunity
"This presents a huge opportunity for us to support black-owned automotive suppliers in building their businesses in the industry. It will help drive transformation and create jobs."

“With the relevant commodities intellectual property rights secured we’ve collaborated with our local supply partners to develop the necessary capabilities to sustainably manufacture those commodities in South Africa,” says Komane Pitso, Isuzu Motors South Africa Senior Vice President Commercial Operations.

Consequent to the R580-million investment, suppliers now have the necessary machinery and equipment required to manufacture the components needed by Isuzu. 

Process
Through this process Isuzu has had the opportunity to work with 107 local component manufacturers, maintaining a local value add content footprint and creating at least 235 new job opportunities at local component manufacturers.

One such example of our localisation strategy is the partnership between Isuzu Motors South Africa and 73% black-owned supplier Acoustics, based in Gqeberha. They were awarded with both the sound and carpet assembly contracts specifically for the new D-MAX bakkie.
















Assisted
Responsible for the manufacturing of smaller boot liners, Acoustics have assisted Isuzu in achieving an industry first through the installation of local vinyl mats.

“We have to do things differently if we are to draw on local content, and Acoustics is an example of drawing on local content and capabilities. Over the last few decades design capability has transitioned to being more multinational, so we have to get involved locally,” says Pitso.

“Great strides have been made in the alliance between the automotive industry and government, and the progressive automotive policies in the country are testament to the strength of the pro-government/industry collaboration. 

"But this isn’t enough, the automotive industry still faces tough challenges in accelerating localisation and developing a future-proof supply chain, and without localisation the automotive industry will struggle to remain competitive.” concludes Pitso.
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Thursday, 28 April 2022

Colin-on-Cars - JAC moves into rental market


JAC Motors moves into rental market.


The steady growth of JAC Motors as a player in the commercial vehicle market, despite the problems associated with an economy slowed by Covid, has taken a further step up the ladder with Trailarent taking on 50 units of its X200 forward-cab workhorses.

The growing market for bakkie rentals necessitated Trailarent to increase its workhorse fleet and Francois Briers, Managing Director, says: "In our research to expand our workhorse fleet, the X200 stood out amongst its competitors. It is the most powerful and affordable in its class and offers the biggest payload of all forward-cab bakkies. 

"Add the versatility and easy-loading of the X200, we have found the perfect bakkie to add to our customer offering."

The JAC X200 has a 2,8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, producing 80 kW at 3 600 r/min and 240 Nm torque between 1 800 r/min and 2 000 r/min. The maximum torque available at low rpm allows drivers to minimise gear changes, reducing fuel usage. 

The average fuel consumption of the JAC X200 is 9,5 l/100 km (combined cycle).

Demanding

"The X200 boasts the ideal engine capacity for our country's demanding conditions. The reliable 2,8-litre turbo-diesel engine produces 30% more power than its direct competitors, resulting in outstanding functionality," says Karl-Heinz Göbel, CEO of JAC Motors South Africa.

The JAC X200 has a minimum turning radius of 5,4 metres  and the ride height and ultra-flat low deck with drop sides makes loading and unloading easyt. The forward-cab design also incorporates advantages such as a larger load area and the easy entrance and exit for drivers and crew.

Welding


The JAC X200 benefits from the company's new chassis stamping and welding treatment process, developed for the heavy-duty ladder-frame chassis used in its N-Series truck range. Its robust ladder-frame chassis design, double-wishbone independent front suspension and the optimum use of axle capacities for ideal payload weight distribution enhance driveability.

"The no-nonsense work attitude of the X200 explains why it is such a favourite with our customers. Its powerful engine, excellent payload and fuel efficiency make it the obvious workhorse choice for our business operation," adds Briers.

Stowing

The JAC X200 offers an air-conditioned cab with cloth seats, headrests and a height-adjustable steering wheel. The centre seat's backrest folds down, offering ample stowing space. The X200 comes standard with a Radio/MP3 player with Bluetooth and a USB.

"Our reliable and versatile X-Series product range meets ever-increasing customer expectations and ticks all the right boxes to be the star performer in any transport fleet. We welcome Trailarent into our family and wish them many happy kilometres with our popular X200 workhorses," adds Göbel.

It comes standard with the company's 5-year/150 000-kilometre manufacturer warranty, including a 5-year/60 000-kilometre service plan.

A full range of accessories is available for the JAC X-Series product range including other body configurations, such as tippers, refrigeration units, campers etc.

Wednesday, 20 April 2022

Colin-on-Cars - Kudos for new Outlander

The all-new Mitsubishi Outlander – due for local release later this year – has won the iF Design Awards 2022 as well as the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) model racking up a Five Star Award in the Japan New Car Assessment Program (JNCAP).


“The all-new Outlander model is Mitsubishi Motors' flagship model which brings together the best in electrification and all-wheel control technologies, while also utilising a new-generation platform and an array of advanced technologies,” says Jeffrey Allison, General Manager: Marketing at MMSA.

Tensile

Featuring Mitsubishi Motors' RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) body, the all-new Outlander incorporates ultra-high tensile strength steel around the passenger compartment. It achieves both passenger safety and weight reduction through a combination of a high impact-absorbing front body structure and a high-durability, low-deformation passenger compartment structure. 

Further, seven SRS crash bags are standard equipped on all vehicles.

Advanced

Active safety technologies are standard equipped on all vehicles, combining nine advanced driver assist features including the Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) system that detects vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists ahead (daytime only), automatically applies the brakes to avoid collisions, and assists in mitigating collision damage, as well as Emergency Assist for Pedal Misapplication (EAPM) which detects obstacles such as walls, and when driving forward can also detect people and other cars.


The all-new Outlander comes standard with Adaptive LED Headlight (ALH), which deliver superior night visibility by detecting whether there are oncoming cars and cars driving ahead, and automatically switches the illumination range and brightness of the headlights.

Help

The all-new Outlander is equipped with SOS Emergency Assistance with Automatic Collision Notification to connect with HELPNET operation centre at the press of a button during a medical emergency or when seemingly in danger (SOS Emergency Assistance is a service provided by Japan Mayday Service Co – a pity a similar service is not yet in South Africa.

The leap forward with new Outlander symbolises the recent strides MMSA has made in sales as well as the expansion of our footprint in South Africa to 50 dealerships. Watch this space to see what we have planned for the new and exciting Outlander in South Africa,” Allison adds.
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Thursday, 14 April 2022

Colin-on-Cars - Tough challenge expected at Simola Hillclimb

Colin-on-Cars - Tough challenge expected at Simola Hillclimb

There is plenty of competition in the offing for the Road-going Saloon Cars and Supercars category for the upcoming Simola Hillclimb in Knysna and reigning champion Jean-Pierre van der Walt knows defending his title will be a tough call.

The Road-going Saloon Cars and Supercars (Class A) are street-legal machines that mirror what you would find on a showroom floor. Only standard road tyres are permitted that match the original manufacturer’s specification, and the limited changes allowed are restricted to safety-critical features such as a racing seat with harness, and a roll cage if applicable.

JP van der Walt

Headlining the field is reigning King of the Hill Jean-Pierre van der Walt who will return to defend his crown this year, but is making the switch from the title-winning 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS to a 911 Turbo S (991.2-generation) of the same year, competing in Class A4 for six-cylinder four-wheel drive cars.

Monsters

Van der Walt set a winning time of 45,858 seconds in the GT3 RS – a mere 5 seconds off the fastest fire-breathing monsters that dominated the Modified Saloon Car category for pure-bred race cars.

As an established Polo Cup Masters racing driver who has moved to the GTC series this year driving a VW Polo Supa Cup car, Van der Walt has no intention of relinquishing the overall title.

“Last year I managed to do a 44,5-second time during practice in the GT3 RS, and the Turbo S will be quicker off the line with the benefit of four-wheel drive, but it won’t have the aerodynamic downforce that is crucial through the Esses at the top of the course,” he says. “But I’m hoping to beat my time from last year, and aiming for the 43-second mark.”

Gordon Nicholson

One of Van der Walt’s most fervent challengers is likely to be last year’s runner-up, Gordon Nicholson in a 2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus, competing in Class A6 for naturally aspirated cars with eight cylinders and above.

Winning

Nicholson finished 1,269 seconds off the Porsche driver during the all-or-nothing Top 10 Shootout, and was less than a second adrift of the winning time during the Class Finals – so all eyes will be on these top contenders again this year.

However, there will be several other serious contenders emanating from Class A7 for force-fed turbo-charged or supercharged cars with eight cylinders and above. The McLaren 720s is renowned as an extremely rapid machine, and Simola Hillclimb regular Garth Mackintosh is likely to be a formidable rival in his 2017 model.

Shelby Mustang Super Snake

He is joined in A7 by Jacques Wheeler in a 2013 McLaren MP4-12C, along with the supercharged 2017 Shelby Mustang Super Snake entries of Paige Lindenberg and Charles Needham, and a Shelby Mustang Terlingua driven by James Temple.

Legendary

Joining Van der Walt in Class A4 is legendary SA touring car driver Deon Joubert in the new all-wheel drive BMW M4 xDrive as an official BMW entry – no doubt another key protagonist to look out for.

Newcomers to the Simola Hillclimb are Andre and Alex Johnson in a 2010 Audi TTRS and 2006 Audi A4 2.7 Bi-Turbo respectively, and Simola stalwart Shane Naidu in his iconic 1995 S2 quattro.

The two-wheel drive six-cylinder machines in Class A3 will provide an intriguing battle, as Feroz and Farhaad Ebrahim will be competing in identical new-generation 2020 Toyota Supras. They will be up against Martin Wiid in a 2019 BMW M240i, along with Piet Potgieter in his powerful Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.

Piet Potgieter

Class A1 for two-wheel drive machines sees the return of Jared Yeo in his turbo-charged Porsche Cayman 718s and two media entries from Suzuki SA will see Reuben van Niekerk and Wesley Greybe behind the wheel of a pair of Suzuki Swift Sport models.

Electric

Adding significant interest is Class A8 for hybrid and electric vehicles where Ciro de Siena will be piloting the all-electric BMW i4 M50, which is credited with 400 kW and a 0-100 km/h time of 3,9 seconds.

Volkswagen will also make its debut in this class with a pair of 100 kW e-Golf entries, driven by GTC racing drivers Daniel Rowe and Jonathan Mogotsi.

Images: Rob Till


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