May is the month to be in Knysna. If the angry rumble of a powerful V8 gets your heart racing, then you need to be at the Knysna Speed Festival from 11 May to 20 May. This is a week jam packed with exciting events all about fast cars, classic cars, go karts and even 4×4 adventures to name but a few.

The highlight of the festival is the Renault Simola Hillclimb, which sees an assortment of exciting cars, from nostalgic greats of a previous era to the state of the art exotics of our current technological world, testing both man and machine on the exciting climb to the Simola Golf Estate.

The Festival is unique in South Africa, incorporating exciting action on the road, and off the road, with an assortment of events which will ensure that there is entertainment for the whole family in the beautiful town of Knysna.

Starting on Friday 11th May, the Knysna Kart Grand Prix brings street racing to Knysna. The action takes place during the day and into the night on the spectacular Thesen Island Harbour Town

The classic car never fails to appeal. As much as you admire the high tech wizardry of the latest supercar, it is the raw power and simplicity of a 60’s muscle car which never fails to draw the crowds, or the romance of an era long past reflected in the classic roadster.

Knysna has some of the most spectacular indigenous forests in South Africa, and during the 4×4 Knysna Elephant Trail, from Monday 16th to Wednesday 16th, off-roaders will be able to travel through forests not normally accessible to the public. This is an eco-friendly event for the whole family and should not be missed.

The 4×4 Challenge tests the off road skills of adventurous 4×4 owners. This is an event for standard and modified production vehicles.

Want to get up close to the exciting wheels in Knysna during the Speed Festival? All the cars will be on display on Friday and there will be a parade through the streets during the day. Some of South Africa’s most exciting and exotic cars will be on display at the Knysna waterfront car park.

Classic Car Friday is a day dedicated to the classics built before 1974. Competitors and spectators are encouraged to attend in period dress and there will be prizes for the best and most appropriate outfits. This is an awesome opportunity to see some vehicles that you will never see anywhere else and guarantees to showcase many of South Africa’s most interesting and valuable historic racing cars.

The event most people will be coming to Knysna to attend is the King of the Hill Shootout. On Saturday and Sunday some of the fastest cars in South Africa will be battling to see who is quickest up the hill. The field is limited to 80 cars driven by some of the best drivers in the country. The competition will be fierce and the action spectacular. Many well-known drivers will be taking part in one of South Africa’s premier motor sport events.

Further information and entry forms can be found on the festival’s website www.speedfestival.co.za.

Bookings and entry forms are available on the website.