Rounds 11 and 12 of the Shelby Can-Am Championship took place at the Mercedes Benz Grand Prix circuit on Saturday 22 July. The cold and wet conditions, which prevailed throughout the day, did little to detour the Eastern Cape crowds, who were witness to close racing in the days’ two Shelby Can-Am races.

 

Darryn Lobb (DK Woodcraft) set the pace from early on, dominating the Friday practice sessions and taking pole position by a comfortable margin. Father Neil Lobb (Caltex Havoline) was Darryn’s nearest challenger and would line-up alongside him on the grid.

 

Colin Frost (Strocam) enjoyed an excellent qualifying session to line-up third on the grid ahead of Jean Paul Bredenhann (Panel Right) while Ruan Pretorius (Castrol), current championship leader, will have been disappointed to have qualified fifth.

 

Race 1 saw Darryn Lobb enjoying a near perfect get away to lead father Neil into the first corner. The pair maintained station or the entirety of the race and opened up a healthy gap on the chasing pack.

 

Championship rival Pretorius, who found some time overnight, worked his way up to third place and continued on unchallenged for much of the race. Previous race winner Rui Campos  (Bollt) crossed the line fourth ahead of Donovan Roscoe (Stanley Tools) and Franz Pretorius (Castrol).

 

Rounding out the field were Karl Zachau (Driveline Technologies), Peter Bailey (Bailey Edwards) and Trevor Frost (Strocam Mining). Following their strong qualifying sessions both Colin Frost and JP Bredenhann were left stranded circuit side halfway through the race while hometown boy Chris Hart (Hi-Q Plettenburg Bay) retired after one lap with mechanical difficulties.

 

Race two provided its fair share of drama thanks to the wet conditions. Darryn Lobb was not about to have it all his own way in race two. Father Neil and archrival Pretorius were quickly in his path as an exciting three-way battle got underway. All three drivers succumbed to the slippery conditions through the infield essess. In the end it was Pretorius who was least effected and Darryn who was left to trail him to the flag. Neil Lobb slipped down the field to finish fourth behind Karl Zachau.

 

JP Bredenhann had a better second outing to finish fifth ahead of Donavan Roscoe. Rui Campos greeted the flag in seventh place ahead of the likes of Colin Frost, Peter Bailey, Trevor Frost and a frustrated Alan Eve.

 

The next round of the championship takes place at Zwartkops Raceway Saturday 19 August. With the championship fight reaching fever pitch there is sure to be plenty of action in the closing rounds of the championship.

 

Position	Driver	Sponsor
1	Darryn Lobb	DK Woodcraft
2	Ruan Pretorius	Castrol
3	Neil Lobb	Caltex Havoline
4	Karl Zachau	Driveline Technologies
5	Donovan Roscoe	Stanley Tools
6	Rui Campos	Boltt

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