The Jaguar Simola Hillclimb continues to be recognised as one of the top sports events in the country having been awarded Motorsport South Africa’s (MSA) Environmental Award at the annual MSA Gala Awards Evening.
Through this award, MSA seeks to recognise and show its appreciation to the circuit, organiser, club or individual, who is assessed to have made a significant contribution towards or have done something important to enhance environmental awareness and/or protection in the field of motorsport during the calendar year.
Ian Shrosbree, director of Knysna Speed Festival (KSF), the owner of the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb said: “It is an honour to receive this award on behalf of the event. This is an award for all the people of Knysna who are rebuilding their lives after the devastating fires of 2017, and for Greenpop who does such wonderful work for the environment.
“With the Knysna fires being fresh in our memories at the time, KSF committed to regreening Knysna. After evaluating how best to do this and various projects, we decided to collaborate with renowned tree planting NPO Greenpop.
“This involved supporting Greenpop’s Eden Regeneration Project, by raising funds via the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb and its competitors, and by raising awareness towards the clearing of alien vegetation and the planting of indigenous trees in the areas affected by the fires of June 2017,” explained Shrosbree.
The Eden Regeneration Festival initiative supported by the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb, namely the Festival of Action, focused its efforts on multi-stakeholder engagement including local communities, local government, NGOs and academia to support and collaborate on existing initiatives by bringing their time, logistics and human resources.
In support of these objectives, the event focused its efforts on creating awareness amongst competitors, partners, fans, spectators and general public that follow its various regular informational feeds, those that attended the event, and those who were exposed to its media releases on the project in the general media. It’s staff also participated in the tree planting efforts.
With another devastating fire ravaging the Garden Route region in 2018, the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb will once again support Greenpop through the 2019 event. Details on how the public, competitors and interested parties can assist will be made available in the New Year.
Motorsport South Africa is among the first FIA National Sporting Authorities (ASNs) to have engaged in the FIA Environmental Accreditation Programme, and one of the first to be certified.
This achievement was officially acknowledged by the FIA during the ASN Forum held in St Petersburg (Russia), on Thursday 6th December 2018.
“The FIA Environmental Accreditation Programme is aimed at helping motor sport stakeholders worldwide to measure and enhance their environmental performance. It introduces clear and consistent environmental management into motor sport and provides stakeholders with a framework against which to accredit their activities, explained MSA Environmental Panel President, Marius Matthee.
“The FIA Auditor was particularly impressed by MSA’s strong commitment toward environmental management, under guidance of the MSA Environmental Panel,” he added.
The Environmental Award joins a long list of accolades received by the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb. It has received four SA Sports Industry finalist nominations, a nomination in the Motorsport event of the Year category of the British based 2016 International Historic Motoring Awards (IHMA) competition, it won the ‘Best Tourism Activity’ title and was a finalist in the ‘Proudly Knysna’ category in the 2015 Sanlam Knysna Awards.
Now heading into its tenth edition, from 2 to 5 May 2019, the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb has grown dramatically over the years to become one of South Africa’s premier motorsport and lifestyle events.
It has developed to the point that it transcends motorsport and has become a ‘must-do’ lifestyle event attracting not only motorsport aficionados, but also some of the who’s who of the country that don’t want to miss the excitement that surrounds the Hillclimb.
In celebrating its tenth anniversary, the 2019 Jaguar Simola Hillclimb is set to be bigger and better than ever. Avoid missing out by buying your general admission, and the sought-after Pit Access, Turn 2 Grandstand Seating, as well as Pit Priority Parking tickets now at www.jaguarsimolahillclimb.com.
Demand for the limited number of exclusive VIP Hospitality packages, which include event and pit entry, as well as access to the Le Mans VIP Lounge, Piston Club or a Corporate Box in the VIP Village is also at an all-time high – so book your tickets now to secure the best motoring and motorsport showcase South Africa has to offer!
For more information on the event visit: www.jaguarsimolahillclimb.com
Provided by Jaguar SA
