Cape Town, buckle up – because this October, Philip Kgosana Drive isn’t just a scenic road… it’s turning into a battleground of horsepower, heritage, and pure high-octane glory!
Speed Classic Cape Town launch event display.
PHOTO CREDIT: Junaid Samodien - Slipstream SA
On 25 and 26 October, the Speed Classic Cape Town roars into life for the very first time, unleashing a thrilling hill climb race that fuses motoring heritage, modern muscle, and elite lifestyle experiences — all set against the iconic backdrop of the Mother City.
As the Mother City gears up for this landmark event, anticipation is already reaching fever pitch. Geordin Hill-Lewis, the Executive Mayor for the City of Cape Town has thrown his full support behind the race, describing it as a potential flagship event for Cape Town that could attract global attention and bring motorsport lovers from around the world to our shores. And with just weeks to go, Event Director Garth Mackintosh says the excitement is tangible as final preparations are made to deliver a world-class spectacle.
The action kicks off on Saturday, 25 October, when Philip Kgosana Dr. plays host to some of the most valuable and iconic classic cars ever built. These aren't museum pieces — these are rare machines being brought to life at speed, on the open road, in front of thousands of spectators. Among the head-turners, Stuart Mackay-Davidson will be driving a 1980 Ferrari 308 GTB, one of only five in the country. Harry Tayler will command the only known 1930 Bentley 4.5L Le Mans in South Africa. Charles Arton brings his 1979 March 79A, a rare Formula Atlantic race car built specifically for South African competition.
South African hillclimb and racing icon Franco Scribante will be present, and is set to pilot the South African 6 hours winning 1970 Chevron B19 — a true endurance prototype, and one of only 30 ever made. He’ll be joined by Silvio Scribante in a 1970s Ford Capri Perana, a uniquely South African muscle car born from the genius of Basil Green in partnership with Ford, with fewer than 100 remaining worldwide. Adding an international edge, Swiss drivers Serge Endress and Matthias Annefield will take part, piloting a 1965 Lola T70 Spyder and a 1971 Capri Perana respectively.
But the star power doesn’t stop there. Former Formula 1 driver and 1988 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Jan Lammers will be on the grid on Saturday, adding serious international pedigree to an already elite line-up.
For Race Director Enzo Kuun, the presence of such historic vehicles is more than just nostalgia — it’s about reviving history. “Classic cars are like art, and you just cannot replace them. They were designed in a bygone era and have become collectors’ items,” he said. “What makes the Speed Classic Cape town so special is that on Classic Car Saturday we are bringing these cars out of collections and onto the track, and are inviting collectors to showcase their cars.”
On Sunday, 26 October, the tempo rises as modern supercars, GT monsters, and single-seater rockets face off in a no-holds-barred battle for supremacy in the King of the Mountain showdown. Expect to see some of the fastest machines in the country — and the world — scream up the hill. Among them, Farouk Dangor’s ultra-rare Ferrari SF90 Stradale, one of only eleven in South Africa and capable of 0-100km/h in just 2.5 seconds. Greg Parton brings his Lamborghini Aventador, a naturally aspirated V12 beast that defines the word “supercar.” Pieter Zeelie will charge the hill in his Toyota MR2 Super GT, fresh off a King of the Hill title at Simola 2025. Dawie Joubert arrives with his ferocious Lotus Exige, fitted with a twin-turbo Ferrari V8 engine — a street-legal missile that’s as outrageous as it sounds. Franco Scribante returns on Sunday in his monstrous 1,500-horsepower Nissan GTR, nicknamed “The Sheriff,” which took the Simola crown in 2023. Marcel Angel brings serious GT firepower with his Ferrari 488 GT3, a championship-winning machine that’s competed across Europe. Byron Mitchell will push the limits in a Reynard Formula VW, a former German F3 car that earned him the Simola 2025 single-seater title. And making history of his own, Connor Kilbride will drive the ultra-light Ligier JS53 Evo2 — a prototype racer never before documented in South African hill climb events.
HillClimb route supplied by Speed Classic Cape Town.
With speeds that these beasts are set to reach, safety is paramount. Speed Classic Cape Town Project Director Steyn Momberg confirms that the event is fully certified by Motorsport South Africa, and the same elite-level safety infrastructure used for Formula E has been put in place — including barriers, catch fencing, and Cape Town’s top disaster management team. “We’ve built this event to world-class standards. We’re not cutting corners. We’re raising the bar,” he said.
But Speed Classic Cape Town is more than a race. It’s a lifestyle experience built for the whole city. From exclusive hospitality zones and grandstands with sweeping views, to a bustling race village filled with food stalls, brand activations, live screens, and kids' zones, it’s designed to thrill petrolheads, families, and curious newcomers alike. This is more than motorsport — it’s Cape Town’s newest destination event.
Beasts among us - Ford GT40 [left], McLaren 720S, Cobra [replica] and a rare Ford Mustang Dark Horse.
PHOTO CREDIT: Junaid Samodien - Slipstream SA.
The countdown is on. The engines are ready. The mountain is waiting. This is Speed Classic Cape Town, so grab your tickets right now, because it’s going to be unforgettable!
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