Driver Pieter Joubert passed away while competing in his modified Lotus Exige.
Image: Supplied
The 2025 Simola Hillclimb motorsport event has taken a tragic turn, with the passing of seasoned competitor Pieter Joubert during an accident on Sunday morning.
Joubert was performing his first qualifying run of the day when his yellow Mercedes-AMG V8-powered Lotus Exige veered off the course and crashed into trees.
Witnesses said it appeared that a component on his car broke, with speculation pointing to the steering system. However the exact cause of the accident has yet to be confirmed officially.
On-site emergency crews attended to the scene immediately, but sadly Joubert was pronounced deceased on the scene.
Organisers later announced that the Hillclimb King of the Hill event would resume at 1pm on Sunday, at the request of Joubert’s family, who insisted that the show must go on in his honour.
“We are exceptionally saddened by this incident, and our thoughts and condolences are with Pieter’s family, team and friends,” says Ian Shrosbree, MD of Knysna Speed Festival.
“Pieter’s brothers Dawie and Charl, who have also been competing, have expressed their wishes that we continue with the event.”
Joubert was a seasoned competitor in the Simola Hillclimb event and in Saturday’s third qualifying session he was fastest in class B7, and 13th quickest overall in his #30 Lotus sports car.
The Simola Hillclimb event is currently in its 15th year; this is the first time that a competitor has passed away while competing in the competition.
IOL