The Vodacom Shelby CanAm Championship is unique in the sense that it is South Africa’s only ‘one-make championship’ for thoroughbred racing cars. 

In a nutshell, all cars are identical and use Nissan’s acclaimed V6 engine and latest technology Goodyear slicks. This ensures close racing throughout the field and places the emphasis on driver ability and set-up rather than having a ‘his car’s better than mine,’ scenario. 

Heading into round seven of the ten round Vodacom Power Tour national championship, former champion Neil Lobb has given new sponsor Caltex/Havoline a dream start by extending his championship lead to a healthy 38 points over Donovan Roscoe in the Stanley Tools entry. 

Roscoe made up a lot of ground at the last round in East London when he took a win and a second place in the two races as Pretoria student Ruan Pretorius (Biogen) had a dismal day and slipped from second to fifth in the points standings. 

Rui Campos had two consistent runs in the Boltt/Carrera version to hold onto third place as sparring partner Darryn Lobb (S21/DK Woodcraft) faltered slightly and lost a bit of ground. 

After a disappointing run of reliability, former 250 Superkart champion Veron Pappas (Castrol) was a bit luckier in the Eastern Cape and made himself a bit more comfortable in sixth place. 

With just ten points between third and fifth places, there will be a lot at stake when drivers line up on the tight 2.4 km Zwartkops circuit. 

A new face in the class is Nationwide Airlines backed Vernon Bricknell, a veteran racer who raced Formula Ford and Formula Atlantic in the ‘70s and more recently was seen in the Wesbank V8 class. It will be interesting to see how he copes with his new steed. He might face opposition from multiple Formula Ford champion Morne Jurgens if plans work out for the latter. 

Alan Eve (Direct Couriers) is always consistent and good for a top six placing. Colin Frost (Strocam) has been in the series from its inception and like Eve, could also be mixing it in the top six. 

Peter Bailey (Fuchs) joined the series this year and is beginning to get on top of it. He is determined to beat the likes of Karl Zachau (Ital Guinti), Harry Roscoe (Protea Playing Cards), Richard Wood (Almar Packaging), Franz Pretorius (John Abbot Motorsport) and Autozone’s Gary Green.

Lady racer Clare Vale (The Truck Man) has mixed it with the boys this year and is determined to cut a few of them down to size. 

Whatever happens, the colourful sight and piercing sound of these cars ensure that they attract attention wherever they race.