Lobb closer to title
Round 7 – Zwartkops – 27 August
- 29 August 2005

Its not over until the fat lady sings, but she has already got her song book ready for Neil Lobb as he virtually assured himself of the Vodacom Shelby CanAm title, South Africa’s only sports car championship. 

Driving the Caltex Havoline backed car, Lobb asserted his authority in qualifying on Friday by posting a lap time of 1 minute 03.450 seconds with Alan Eve (Carrera/Boltt) claiming the other front row slot as Donovan Roscoe (Stanley Tools) and Rui Campos (Carrera/Boltt) lined up behind. 

Completing the top six were Ruan Pretorius (Biogen) and Darryn Lobb (DK Woodcraft/S21). 

Race one saw lob canter to a lights to flag victory, coming home nearly four seconds clear of Eve who fought a race long dual with Pretorius and Roscoe, the latter having held second for much of the race.  

Darryn Lobb had a lonely race to fifth after Campos retired just after half distance. That left Veron Pappas (Castrol Edge) to take sixth, an excellent race considering he started from the back of the grid after not completing a lap in qualifying.  

Another notable retirement was that of Vernon Bricknell who retired the Nationwide Airlines example with a broken sideshaft and a puncture after the opening tour. 

Colin Frost (Strocam) was seventh followed by Franz Pretorius (Castrol Edge/John Abbot), both well clear of Peter Bailey (Fuchs), Richard Wood (Almar), Gary Green (Autozone) and Clare Vale (The Truck Man). 

Race two saw Lobb again lead throughout but this time it was Pretorius who bagged second ahead of Campos, the latter having to live with the embarrassment of punting his teammate Eve out of contention while the field was circulating behind the safety car which was on the track while Franz Pretorius’ stranded car was moved to a safe place following a spin.  

Roscoe hung in to take fourth with Pappas taking fifth ahead of Bricknell as Bailey got seventh ahead of Frost who had Harry Roscoe (Protea Playing Cards) chasing him. 

In another close finish Wood pipped Vale and Green for 11^th place. 

The next round of the championship takes place at Kyalami on 24 September.