BMW Group South Africa is heading to the 2025 Simola Hillclimb in full throttle – and for the first time ever, they’re bringing a MINI to the mix. From 1 to 4 May, the iconic Knysna event will see three finely tuned performance cars climb the famous hill, competing in the prestigious King of the Hill shootout for road-going production models.

Flying the flag for BMW M is the M4 Competition, entered in the A4 Category and piloted by Cristiano Verolini. Then there’s the razor-sharp BMW M2, sponsored by MUA and Compass Insure, with Leyton Fourie behind the wheel. A former BMW M2 Cup champion and current ADAC GT Masters driver, Leyton’s bringing global racing experience back to local roads in the A3 Category.

But the real plot twist? MINI’s making its Simola Hillclimb debut. Bradleigh Boshoff will take on the A1 Category in a John Cooper Works model, backed by BP Ultimate and Castrol. It’s a big moment for the brand, known for its punchy personality and rich racing roots – now ready to carve up the Simola tarmac for the very first time.

To make the run up the hill even more formidable, all three cars are fitted with high-performance exhaust systems by Akrapovič, and the drivers will be suited up in Sparco gear. These collaborations ensure every detail – from speed to style – is on point.

With big names, serious cars, and a debut that’s been a long time coming, Simola 2025 is set to be a hillclimb to remember. Whether you’re a BMW M fan or cheering for MINI’s first run, one thing’s certain – there’s going to be plenty of action at the top of the hill.