PRETORIA, South Africa, 10 May 2023 – After three full days of riveting motorsport motion at the thirteenth working of the Simola Hillclimb, each Ford and Shelby South Africa got here away with silverware, and in some courses the general win.
Ford and Shelby performances
Lindenberg Racing, who’ve participated in the occasion because it started, and Team Shelby who adopted in 2016, had been held in good firm because of the Next-Gen Ranger Raptor, which made its native motorsport debut at the occasion.
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With famend circuit and off-road racing driver Anthony Taylor at the wheel, the Ranger Raptor shortly grew to become a crowd favorite because it carved its means up the hill over numerous runs. Despite intermittent showers on the ultimate day which resulted in slippery situations, Taylor had sufficient confidence in the Raptor’s all-wheel drive and Fox suspension to ship considered one of his most interesting performances.
The Raptor notched up a debut victory in its class – an achievement made all of the extra spectacular by the truth that the Raptor was a totally customary road-going automobile with no modifications.
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“Although the Raptor’s greatest virtues lie in its off-road ability, we are delighted to demonstrate that its incredible performance also extends to the tarmac.”
Minesh Bhagaloo, Director for Communications at Ford South Africa
“This event is further evidence that the Raptor’s motorsport DNA is genuine and faithfully follows a lineage of other thoroughbred Ford Performance vehicles. The 292kW/583Nm Raptor performed flawlessly throughout the event and set a new benchmark time for a standard production bakkie in one of the country’s premier motorsport events. At the same time, it endeared itself to thousands of South Africans, either at the event, or watching the live stream. We would like to thank Anthony for embracing this unique challenge and showing such passion for the Blue Oval.”
Minesh Bhagaloo, Director for Communications at Ford South Africa.
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For Lindenberg Racing, expertise and consistency as soon as once more proved key traits behind their success.
With 9 vehicles working at this yr’s occasion there was loads of selection on show, with the occasion additionally coinciding with 100 years of Carroll Shelby. The Shelby Mustangs, consisting of Shelby Super Snakes, a Mach 1 and a Terlingua, had been instantly on the tempo. All these vehicles drove to and from the occasion, highlighting the Mustang’s versatility as each a sensible street automotive in addition to a race automotive.
As the competitors heated up, the Shelbys climbed the timesheets with two class wins and a 3rd place in the class closing. James Temple took the win in his class (H6) with Paige Lindenberg notching up one other third. Clayton Kimber in his immaculate Daytona Coupe took the win in H4 of Classic Car Friday by just a few thousandths of a second!
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The momentum carried by way of to the class finals with Josh O’Calaghan putting second in A6 in his Mustang Mach 1, James Temple coming residence in second in A7 at the wheel of his Super Snake, and Paige Lindenberg shut behind in third in the Terlingua in King of the Hill.
“We’ve had a great Simola Hillclimb and are happy to be going home with silverware and all the cars in one piece.”
“Congratulations to all our drivers and pit crew, – we could not have done it without you!”
Paige Lindenberg, GM of Shelby South Africa
Published by Ford South Africa on Quickpic
For extra information in regards to the previous 2023 Simola Hillclimb and information about subsequent yr’s occasion, hold following our motorsport web page.
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