The 2006 Shelby Can-Am series kicked off in spectacular fashion at the Kyalami Grand Prix circuit on 18 February. It was a case youth versus age and cunning as Ruan Pretorius (Castrol Edge) took overall laurels for the day.

Pretorius set the pace from the outset and lined up for race one on pole position with Donavan Roscoe (Stanley Tools) alongside him on the grid. The opening lap was an action packed affair, which eventually resulted in the race being red flagged.

The chaos ensued when Alan Eve (Kelizia Group) suffered a right hub failure. Eve then collected new comer to the series Chris Hart (Hi-Q Plettenburg Bay) leaving both stranded on the side lines.

The race was restarted, with competitors taking up their original grid positions. Pretorius once again made good use of his pole placing to take the lead, while Neil Lobb (Caltex Havoline) was quickly on his tail.

The duo came round for lap two, two abreast with space for only one. Pretorius emerged unscathed while Lobb was left stranded in the kitty litter. Similarly Richard Wood (Almar Packaging) and Clare Vale (The Truck Man) tangled. Both managed to recover back to the circuit but struggled to make up the lost time.

When the dust finally settled Pretorius claimed victory ahead of Roscoe and Darryn Lobb (DK Woodcraft). Colin Frost (Strocam) was fourth leading home Franz Pretorius (Castrol Edge) and visiting Italian driver Marco Jacoboni (Pablo Clark Racing).

Pretorius once again held the prime slot on the grid for race two, this time with reigning champ Lobb in second place looking to make amends for race 1. The Revolution Racing team rebuilt Lobb’s car between races with just minutes to spare before the green lights went out.

Heat two proved to be less drama filled than the first, however all eyes were on the leading duo of Pretorius and Lobb as they tussled for the lead. Lobb got the better of his young counterpart, taking the chequered flag by 0.9 of a second.

Rui Campos (Boltt) took the final podium slot while Darryn Lobb was fourth with Roscoe and Karl Zachau (Drivelines Technologies) fifth and sixth respectively.

OVERALL RESULTS 18 FEB
Pos Driver Sponsor
1 Ruan Pretorius Castrol
2 Donavan Roscoe Stanley Tools
3 Darryn Lobb DK Woodcraft
4 Marco Jacoboni Pablo Clark Racing
5 Franz Pretorius Castrol
6 Jean-Paul Bredenheim Panel-Rite

Fastest lap of the day Neil Lobb 1:49.375

ENDS

For more information please contact Nathalie Jeanmonod 083 799 6802