SHELBY CAN-AM CHAMPIONSHIP SET TO END ON A HIGH NOTE
- 16 November 2006
 

A delighted Ruan Pretorius, in his Castrol Edge Shelby Can-Am, wrote his name in the championship record books at the previous round of the Shelby Can-Am championship taking his first national category championship.  

The Pretoria student took seven race wins, six pole positions and six fastest race laps on his way to an unassailable championship lead. Pretorius’ first introduction to the competitive world of motorsport came in 2002, when at the age of 19 he began racing his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. That year he also campaigned a Lotus Exige in the Lotus Challenge regional series finishing second in the index championship.

In 2003, at age of 20, Ruan was the youngest ever winner of the Porsche Unlimited Series and overall Porsche Challenge championship. He also competed in karts at the Rotax Max Challenge regional championship and has drove several Porsche race cars at club and regional level.

He first competed in the Shelby Can Am series in 2004 finishing sixth overall. In 2005 Ruan finished the season in second place in the championship standings setting the stage for his first national category championship win.  

Though the championship is done and dusted there will be plenty to play for when the Shelby Can-Am brigade line-up on the grid at Kyalami. Father and son pairing Neil Lobb (Caltex Havoline) and son Darryn (DK Woodcraft) will want to end the season on a high note and will no doubt be jostling for position at the front of the pack. 

They will have to keep their eyes pealed for the likes of Donovan Roscoe (Stanley Tools) and JP Bredenhann (Panel-Rite) both protagonists seem to have come on form in the later half of the season and have proven they have what it takes to win races.  

Upsets could also be caused if Rui Campos (Boltt), Alan Eve (Kelizia Group) or Chris Hart (Hi-Q Plettenburg Bay) are given half a chance. Giving them a hard time should be Colin Frost (Strocam), Karl Zachau (Driveline Technologies) and Franz Pretorius (Castrol EDGE), who has wrapped up the unofficial Shelby veteran’s championship.

Taking to Kyalami race track for the first time this season will be Brian Algar (Hemisphere Risk Solutions), Pierre Brydges (Firzt Realty), Sam Hammond (Samlin Constructions) Sean Greve Vulcania (Reinforcing Constructions). The former Porsche Cup competitors will know the circuit well from their regional exploits and should therefor quickly get to grips with proceedings.  

Looking to keep the new comers in check will be Peter Bailey (Bailey Edwards), Claire Vale (The Truck Man), Harry Roscoe (Protea Playing Cards), Trevor Frost (Strocam Mining) and Richard Wood (Almar Packaging). 

 Italian driver Marco Jacoboni (Pablo Clark Racing) returns to South Africa to compete in the final round of this year’s Shelby Can Am championship. He is joined by fellow Italians Alberto Corradi and Gianni Bellandi. Sponsored by Hollard Insurance the duo will pilot their respective Shelby Can Am racers for the first time at Kyalami bringing a truly international flavour to the series. 

With an impressive 22-car field anything can happen and, as the last race of the season, competitors will be going all out to prove themselves for the final time this year.  

Should you require further information or high res images for publication please contact Nathalie Jeanmonod on 083 799 6802 or e-mail nathalie@spannerworx.co.za

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