Summarize

The four V8 Masters entries to Knysna’s annual Jaguar Simola Hill Climb delivered positive results through a great weekend of racing and fun as South African rally legend, Enzo Kuun headed up a third, fourth, fifth and seventh in class ahead of his three US teammates aboard four Ford V8-powered Mustang APV347iS. 

Multiple former South African rally champion Kuun headed the charge as he chased down Franco di Matteo's far more powerful Jaguar V8 Supercar and Mastercars regular Marcel Angel’s GT3 racing Ferrari 458 with a 44.3 second run. “I’m chuffed with my second class podium in two years,” Enzo admitted. “I preferred Saturday where the wetter conditions allowed me to race further up the order, but that was another fantastic weekend at Simola — thanks to the team for a fantastic car."

Dave Smith ended up quickest of the three visiting US drivers to race V8 Mastercars on Sunday, putting in a thoroughly impressive debut performance to pip teammate Kai Goddard to fourth in class in a best time of 44.9 seconds. “I am totally satisfied with my weekend in Knysna,” experienced race driver and IndyCar champion race engineer Dave admitted. “Not only did I enjoy a competitive weekend behind the wheel, but we had an incredible time here — what a wonderful experience!"

Goddard ended up fifth in Class B7 for open class modified saloon cars with a time of two-tenths of a second off his Arizona compatriot. “I enjoyed a splendid time back in South Africa and the guys prepared me a great Saleen V8 Masters Mustang for the tenth Annual Knysna Speed Festival,” Kai confirmed. “I’d ideally have liked to have beaten Dave this weekend considering this was my third Simola, but hats off to him and Enzo on a great drive — we will be back!”

Another engineer and race driver Steve Kimpton was also racing his third Simola Hill Climb: “That was a fantastic weekend,” Steve admitted. “My runs were not perfect this weekend and the damp track made it a bit more tricky than prior years, but we made up for pace with the enjoyment of a fantastic weekend — thanks to everyone who made this happen.” 

The V8 Masters return to normal duty in a month for the fourth round of the series for more mature drivers at Killarney in Cape Town Saturday 8 June where late starter this season Marcel Angel will be out to make up for lost time against championship leader Fabio Tafani...