Summarize

V8 Masters entries are no strangers to Knysna’s annual Jaguar Simola Hill Climb and 2019 is no different as a South African rally legend and a trio of American racers take to the hill in four Ford V8-powered Mustang APV347s 3-5 May. Former multiple South African rally champion Enzo Kuun returns to head up the Masters mountain attack, backed up by US drivers Kai Goddard, Steve Kimpton and Dave Smith.

“I'm looking forward to getting back in that Mustang up the Simola Hill,” Enzo Kuun, who also often races V8 Masters in its home environment in Killarney races, confirmed. “I had a good run to third in Class B7 last year against Franco di Matteo’s quick Jaguar and Willie Hepburn’s powerful Rekord — Franco is back again and we have a few quick racing Ferraris and Lamborghini’s to deal with too, but I can’t wait!”

The trio of US drivers hail from Arizona and all three are entered by the Inde Motorsports Ranch. Kai Goddard is a pro driving instructor and son of  SA Production racer Geoff: “I am delighted to be back in South Africa to race my Saleen V8 Masters Mustang in the tenth Annual Knysna Speed Festival,” Kai confirmed. “This is my third Jaguar Simola Hill Climb, so I'm looking forward to applying my experience to finding the best results this weekend.”

Engineer and race driver Steve Kimpton is also racing his third Simola Hill Climb: “I am delighted to be back,” Steve explained. “this is one of the highlights of my racing year and pedalling the rapid and rumbling V8 Masters Mustang up that hill is a thrill a second — bring it on!” 

The visiting team will be joined by experienced racer and IndyCar champion race engineer Dave Smith. “Kai and Steve came back raving about the V8 Masters Mustang and the Hill Climb, so I could not resist coming across and seeing it all for myself,” Dave admitted. “From what I can see so far, they have been impressed for very good reason!”

The V8 Masters quartet will rumble up the Simola hill in Class B7 for V8 or larger race cars. Registration commences Thursday before Classic Car Friday and then the main action through the weekend, ending up with Sunday’s King of the Hill Shootout. Certainly worth a visit if you are in or around the Garden Route this weekend.