Ian Schofield remained unbeaten as the Classic Conqueror in the third edition of The Top Of The Hill Challenge at Zwartkops Raceway this past weekend (25-26 July), while also becoming the first competitor to take two crowns, as a host of event records were bettered.
Apart from the change of season, from spring to winter, this edition of the time attack event also saw a decisive split in the field between historic and modern cars over two separate days, seeing the event, which has established itself as one of the major top three in the country, fall in line with similar global events.
The focus on Saturday was on the pace of yesteryear with the Classic Conqueror battle. The split schedule also allowed more drivers to compete in this discipline, with the top contenders from the previous Top Of The Hill events, as well as the 2026 edition of the Simola Hillclimb, going head to head. While Reghardt Roets’ withdrawal came as a bit of sombre news mere hours before the start of the event, this did not take away too much from the fierce contest that took place on Saturday.
Ian Schofield (Investchem 1977 March 77B)
Franco Scribante (1970 Chevron B19), Schofield (Investchem 1977 March 77B), Silvio Scribante (Scuderia Scribante 1980 Ford Sierra) and Warren Lombard (PepBoys Automotive 1965 Cobra) established themselves as frontrunners early on Saturday. So, too, did James Temple (Shelby SA 1965 Shelby Daytona Coupe), who took the runner-up spot in 2025, despite a bit of a scary moment in the morning’s first practice session, caused by a loose wheel. An impressive performance in his maiden Classic Conqueror outing saw Devin Robertson (Efficiency Staffing Solutions 1992 Nissan R32) put himself firmly in contention.
This culminated in one of the most exciting conclusions to an event seen at the circuit on the western outskirts of Pretoria. Schofield added his third consecutive Classic Conqueror crown, narrowly beating Scribante and Robertson. In doing so, Schofield also beat his own run record at the event, setting a new fastest time of 57.101 on the two-kilometre course.
If Saturday was already a nail-biter, then motorsport fans were in for more than their fair share of upsets and drama on Sunday.
While Schofield had entered Sunday’s Single Seater & Sports Car competition in his Investchem 2018 Mygale SJ, he did not view himself as one of the title contenders ahead of the action, particularly not with the defending champion Robert Wolk (Investchem 2005 Gould GR55) and 2024’s inaugural champion JM Gerber (2007 Van Dieman Formula M) also in contention. Wolk started his campaign in strong form, bettering his run record in the practice sessions with a time of 47.774, although this did not count for official record recognition. However, Wolk did make sure he set the new record during Qualifying with a time of 47.878. Unfortunately, Wolk’s blistering times on the course did not amount to much in terms of silverware due to a wheel bearing failure on his Gould, which eliminated him from the event. This opened up the contest, with Schofield beating Gerber and Josef Kotze (Top Products 2024 Birkin S3), thereby becoming the first Top Of The Hill Challenge competitor to take two titles on consecutive race days. It was also the first time in a decade that this happened in any time attack event in South Africa, with Franco Scribante being the last to do so in the 2016 Simola Hillclimb.
Ian Schofield (Investchem 2018 Mygale SJ)
The Road Car & Supercar battle came alive with Brandon Dean (2025 Ferrari 296 GTB) and Eugene van der Berg (2019 Porsche GTS) emerging as contenders. However, they had no answer to Willie de Beer (WD Towing 2017 Porsche 991 Turbo S), who took his second consecutive crown. Earlier in the day, De Beer also recorded a new course record of 59.534, bettering the time set by 2024’s winner, Vic Campher, in the 2025 edition of the event.
Willie de Beer (WD Towing 2017 Porsche 991 Turbo S)
Roets’ withdrawal also opened up the Modified Production Car battle. With the two-time champion not in contention to defend his crown, Franco Scribante (2016 Nissan GTR R35), Aldo Scribante (WCT 2003 Audi TT), Devin Robertson (Efficiency Staffing Solutions 2000 Lotus Exige), Lee Thompson (Lee Thompson Racing 2004 Lotus Exige), and Jonathan Mogotsi (Volkswagen Motorsport 2022 Volkswagen Golf R) all taking turns to establish themselves as top contenders for the crown throughout the day.
The first of these to be eliminated from the event was Mogotsi, due to an unspecified concern on the purpose-built Golf that forced the team to withdraw before the Class Finals. The Class Finals saw Robertson’s hopes end with a crash after the first corner due to a mechanical issue with his Lotus.
Thompson’s claim as one of the favourites was backed up by him setting the new course record of 52.182 in the latter part of Qualifying.
However, the Top 10 Shootout brought on more drama than anyone anticipated. With two runs remaining, Aldo Scribante found himself on top of the standings. While Thompson again produced a fast run, there was a clear issue with the time posted, more than 30 seconds slower than expected. Franco Scribante was the last to complete his run and take the provisional top spot. After an extensive delay while the officials re-examined Thompson’s run, his time was corrected, and the Lotus driver emerged as the new Modified Production Car champion, ahead of the Scribante cousins.
Lee Thompson (Lee Thompson Racing 2004 Lotus Exige)
The third edition of The Top Of The Hill Challenge was indeed a successful event, and time attack fans and competitors alike are already looking forward to the 2027 event.
