Classic Conqueror
Zoning-in at Zwartkops
Efficiency Motorsports added more drivers and cars for an impressive presence at Top of the Hill.
It has been a tremendous month on-track for Efficiency Motorsports. Time attack racing and hill climb events are the emerging formula in South African motorsport. In late July, Zwartkops hosted the third instalment of its Top of the Hill challenge, and Efficiency Motorsports had a significant presence at the event.
The full Zwartkops circuit is 2,4 km, but the Top of the Hill event shortens that to 2 km. Adding to the challenge, it is run in reverse to the usual racing flow.
Top of the Hill uses a traditional hill-climb format. The fastest overall driver wins. But it has the advantage of being run on a closed circuit, which means cars can recirculate much more easily, which speeds up the tempo of the event. That makes it a lot more efficient than a traditional public-road hillclimb, where the course needs to be closed to allow cars to commute down to the staging area again.
What makes Zwartkops such a great Top of the Hill venue is the circuit topography. Like all great racing venues, it rises and falls, with a total elevation change of 23 m. That ' s just enough to make it work as a Top of the Hill event venue, and challenge drivers. Running Top of the Hill in reverse flow to the standard racing circuit also makes it easier for drivers outside of Gauteng and new entrants, who might not be familiar with Zwartkops.
Classic Conqueror
Like the Simola Hillclimb event, whereEfficiency Motorsports made its debut a few months ago, the Zwartkops Top of Hill celebrates classic and contemporary race cars. With a deep appreciation of South African racing history and legacy, TEfficiency Motorsports had a presence across both days of competition at Top of the Hill, with both youngtimer and new competition cars.
During the Classic Conqueror Saturday, Efficiency Motorsports was proudly represented by Devin Robertson in an immaculately prepared Nissan R32 Skyline. Although the R32 was never officially offered in South Africa, it is the model that built Nissan ' s track racing reputation, with dominant performances in Australia, including the forbidding Bathurst 1000 event, in the early 1990s.
The R32 Skyline is a crowd favourite. Everyone in attendance at Zwartkops Top of the Hill knows its historic value. To many, it remains the defining 1990s Japanese competition car, and Devin drove it to perfection during the Classic Conqueror session at Top of the Hill. Using the R32 ' s brilliant balance and all-wheel drive system to its full potential. Devin recorded an incredible second place for Efficiency Motorsports.
WORDS IN ACTION 38 JULY | AUGUST 2026