Clint Weston on a career built at full throttle, breaking records at Simola, and why the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance Coupe is in a class of its own.
Katlego Sekhu
Clint Weston recently joined DJ Fresh and Thato Mataboge on Kaya Breakfast for a conversation about one of the most decorated careers in South African motorsport. What emerged was the story of a man who has spent decades doing things behind the wheel that most people only see in the movies.
Before Weston became the reigning 2026 Simola Hillclimb Road Car and Supercar King of the Hill, he was a stunt driver on the set of the South African film Hijack, navigating blocked-off streets at four in the morning, driving onto pavements at full speed and discovering, in his own words, that he might have a bit of talent.
That moment led to a test drive with Opel Motorsport, which led to factory teams, rally racing, off-road racing, television, and eventually a 26-year relationship with the Mercedes-AMG brand.
The Simola Hillclimb, described by Weston as the fastest hillclimb in the world, sees drivers averaging 160 kilometres per hour up the hill, reaching speeds of 220 kilometres per hour before the winding section.
In the production car class, Weston completed the climb in one minute 41 seconds behind the wheel of the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance Coupe, a car that comes off the showroom floor with 600 kilowatts and does zero to 100 in 2.76 seconds.
The record attempt, his most competitive yet, resulted in his second consecutive King of the Hill title and, as Fresh noted on air, sent orders for the car through the roof.
But beyond the records, Weston is equally passionate about driver education. Through the AMG Driving Academy at Swartkops Raceway, he has spent over two decades upskilling South African drivers, from first-time licence holders to seasoned motorists who arrive thinking they already know how to drive.
“That’s kind of what we get all the time,” he said. His argument is simple: the K53 licence test teaches people how to look. It does not teach them how to drive.
For those wanting to experience the AMG Driving Academy, Weston can be found at Swartkops Raceway.
Further details are available on the Mercedes-Benz website.
To hear the full interview, listen to the Kaya Breakfast podcast.
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