Round 5
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It seems an age since we were last at Kyalami, and so much has happened! Since February we have had a series of six extreme races! Neil Lobb bagged the first two races at Kyalami in his DK Woodcraft car, in Cape Town it was Neil (DK Woodcraft) and Rui Campos in his Bolt racer that stood on the top of the podium, at Phakisa Veron Pappas took the double and in Port Elizabeth it was Darryn (Little) Lobb (DK Woodcraft & S21) and Neil (Daddy) Lobb (DK Woodcraft) who took the chequered flags. That is just a peek at the goings on, dig a little deeper and you will find that there is a war going on! Guys on their motor bikes may be doing loops and wheelies but the guys with their slick Goodyear takkies on the tar are really upstaging everyone. There are a bunch of guys going to Kyalami with an axe to grind, with a score to settle, with manhood at stake, and may I say it? Even our fem fatale is revved up to valve bounce. The results are only on paper; in reality the racing has been hard and frenetic. Drivers have been right on the edge of the rules in their driving conduct but no one has been warned off YET! The heat and the passion of the race is typified in this class, drivers have been seen to be in deep conversation with fellow protagonists, exchanging apologies and then racing “no holds barred.” Video tapes have been played and replayed, in slow motion, frame by frame, and still there is no agreement. They will settle it at Kyalami! Neil Lobb (DK Woodcraft) is leading the championship, and has been both the recipient of some rough stuff, and the deliverer of an accidental knock out blow. Six points behind him lurks a point’s collector, keeping his car clean and enhancing his reputation in every race, Ruan Pretorius in his Biogen car. Third 14 points back is Rui Campos (Boltt/Grindrod) who has driven with ever increasing passion and fire. His confidence in the car gets greater every race, and he is dying to prove that Porsche Challenge drivers are the best! Donavan Roscoe (Stanley Tools) had a miserable weekend in PE. After putting the car on pole for both heats he was very unlucky to get punted into the greenery on the first corner, he is angry, he feels robbed of 40 points and wants to show everyone how to race and win. Veron Pappas (with new Castrol Extreme backing) is spectacular, he arrives at corners from all angles but his exuberant style has resulted in him denting some cars and a lot of pride. He is gifted, spectacular to watch, and almost kamikaze like in his fervour. Darryn Lobb (DK Woodcraft & S21) is starting to show the promise that he showed in his early races, and is determined that fellow student Ruan Pretorius, Daddy Lobb and others have no right to be in front of him. Alan Eve, having just secured a new sponsorship from Direct Couriers, will be out to show them his undeniable ability. Clive Kennerly (PG Windscreens) is always fast at Kyalami; his secret is that he drives the car to the track from his house in Kyalami Estates just opposite! Clare Vale has realised her speed in the last few races and the immaculately prepared Truck Man car will have a little more aggression as she stakes her claim to pass men who get in her way. New driver in the race today is Carl Zachau, 250 Superkart racer and chairman, who has been lured to the Vodacom Shelby Can-Am Series to see what all the fuss is about! Hopefully he will be joined on the grid in a Wynns entered car by Clive Wilmot, ex Sports 2000 racer and more recently of Lotus fame. Add to the mix the usual midfield racers who are serious in taking the challenge to their peers, Colin Frost (Strocam); Franz Pretorius, Richard Wood (Almar Packaging); Gary Green (Autozone) Harry Roscoe (Protea Playing Cards); Peter Bailey (Fuchs Lubrications) ; Trevor Frost (Strocam Mining); Ben Havenga (Panelrite) and Daan Nortjie, and you are guaranteed there will be some almighty mid-field tussles. Don’t forget to check it all out on www.shelbycanam.co.za New website to be launched soon! |