The opening round of the Shelby Can-Am series held at Kyalami Grand Prix circuit was full of thrills and spills as the first race of the season got underway.

Following just three laps of racing there were a number of bruised and battered egos – not to mention cars – standing stricken around the circuit.

But once the dust settled and the dramatics had past it was down to the serious business of winning races. Ruan Pretorius (Castrol) was on top form at Kyalami taking the overall laurels for the day, with a win in the first heat and seond in heat two. He now arrives at the Killarney circuit as the championship leader and is no doubt determined to keep it that way.  

Neil Lobb (Caltex Havoline) may not yet feature at the top of the point’s log but you can be sure the ‘Faster Pastor’ is plotting ways to climb the log. The reigning champ took the second heat win at Kyalami and was the only thorn in Pretorius' side at the opening round. Once again he is likely to provide Pretorius’ toughest competition. 

Keeping them honest will be Donavan Roscoe (Stanley Tools) and Darryn Lobb (DK Woodcraft). The pair currently share the runner-up spot on the championship log and both have what it takes to challenge for the win. Darryn Lobb will have extra motivation, as he’ll want to maintain his lead over Lobb senior. 

Rui Campos (Boltt) will be looking to replicate his 2005 Killarney experience where he scored a heat 2 victory ahead of the likes of Roscoe and Pretorius. Also looking for competitive results will be Karl Zachau (Driveline Technologies), Franz Pretorius(Castrol), Colin Frost (Strocam) and Jean-Paul Bredenheim (Panel-Rite).  

Peter Bailey (Bailey Edwards) and Trevor Frost (Strocam Mining) experimented with various gearbox options at Kyalami. The Shelby Can-Ams have long since been struggling with gearbox related failures. It is hoped a sequential box will be able to eradicate these problems and also allow for more competitive racing.  

Alan Eve (Kelizia Group) will have been hard at work repairing his Shelby racer following a massive shunt at the previous round, while he’ll be action at Killarney Chris Hart (Hi-Q Plettenburg Bay) will sadly sit this round out. 

Hart showed glimpses of promise on his debut round but joined Eve on an off track excursion that would leave his car in an irreparable state. The Eastern Cape youngster will be back in action at Phakisa. 

Clare Vale (The Truckman) impressed at the International Historic meeting held at Killarney earlier this year, showing the men a clean pair of heels. As such she’ll be raring to go when racing gets underway at Killarney. Keeping her honest will be Gary Green (Autozone), Harry Roscoe (Protea Playing Cards), Richard Wood (Almar Packaging) and Dave Beatie.