Vodacom Shelby Can-Am Racing
- 17 February 2005

South Africa’s only national championship sports car series has a new name and some new faces for 2005.

Seeing as though the cars were designed by Carol Shelby who stamped his name in automotive history by creating the iconic AC Cobra, the series has been renamed Vodacom Shelby Can-Am Racing. “The cars were officially called Shelby Can-Am anyway,” pointed out former champion Neil Lobb who was recently elected chairman of the Shelby Can-Am Racing Association.

Besides the name change the cars are the same as they were when the series entertained race fans around the country last season. “I firmly believe that there’s no point in fixing something if it isn’t broken,” said Lobb.

On the driver front, 2004 champion Garth Waberski has switched to Production Cars,  which leaves the likes of Francois Gerber, Neil Lobb and Donovan Roscoe as the season favourites.

Gerber and Lobb have both won the title before so Roscoe should be the hungriest of the trio. Backed once again by Protea Playing Cards, Roscoe started last season with a win, but a hefty shunt at round two saw his hopes dashed.

Once Waberski was into his stride, a fascinating battle for runner-up honours was fought between Gerber (Autohaus) and Lobb (DK Woodcraft) with Gerber eventually getting the verdict at the last race of the year.

Alan Eve is a consistent top six finisher and could well take a race win here and there in the Odes Autobody car. Pretoria student Ruan Pretorius (John Abbot Motorsport) showed some impressive form in his first season in the class and with could upset the applecart if things go according to plan.

Multiple 250 Superkart champion Veron Pappas had one outing in the series last year and made a lasting impression. This year he has committed to the full season and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he were to run at the sharp end of the pack. Another driver who made his debut in the series last year was Darryn Lobb. Like Pappas, he also had some impressive outings and with backing from DK Woodcraft and S21 he could also be a regular top six finisher.

Another new face in the series is that of Fuchs Lubricants supported Peter Bailey who is the driving force behind the exquisitely crafted Bailey Edwards GT40 replica. Perhaps beter known for his forceful driving in the Porsche 924 series, he has shown good form in a 500hp GT40 and is determined to beat his former 924 rival Rui Campos in the Carrera/DK Lamminates version.

Last but not least, the stalwarts of sportscar racing will also be out in force.  Colin Frost (Strocam) is always in the front half of the field and Clive Kennerley (GP Windscreens) has won before, but business commitments usually preclude him from doing much pre-race practice. Harry Roscoe (Protea), Gary Green (Autozone), Franz Pretorius (John Abbot), Daan Nortje and lady racer Clare Vale (The Truck Man) are the regulars providing the action further down the order.