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SHELBY CAN-AMS SET TO THRILL AT ZWARTKOPS - 15 May 2006 |
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Shelby Can-Am Championship 2006 Spectators are in for a treat as the fastest national single seater series in South Africa makes its way to Zwartkops Raceway for the next round of the National Circuit Racing Championship on Saturday 20 May.
Series front runners Neil Lobb (Caltex Havoline) and Ruan Pretorius (Castrol) have shared the winning laurels throughout the year and will be aiming to continue the winning tradition with Lobb now needing to make up ground in the championship standings.
Both Lobb and Pretorius have extensive knowledge of the Zwartkops circuit through their exploits on the historic racing front. In fact a number of the Shelby Can-Am competitors hold records at Zwartkops. Ruan Pretorius, Franz Pretorius (Castrol), Peter Bailey (Bailey Edwards) and Darryn Lobb (DK Woodcraft) all hold lap records for different racing categories.
However Lobb Snr and Pretorius Jnr won’t have it all their own way. Donavan Roscoe (Stanley Tools) shares the second place slot, in the championship standings, with Lobb and could pose a threat to the leading pair.
Roscoe sported a new body shell at Phakisa, with little preparation time ahead of the Welcome round the number 3 car of Roscoe’s was severely overweight. With his car now in prime condition he could be a serious challenger for the lead.
Waiting in the wings will be Darryn Lobb (DK Woodcraft) who is a regular podium finisher. Also capable of challenging at the sharp end of the grid are Rui Campos (Boltt) and Alan Eve (Kelizia Group). The pair may enter the event as team mates but once the lights go green it’s a case of every man for himself.
Two competitors who won’t have much knowledge of the Zwarkops track will be newcomers Chris Hart (Hi-Q Plettenburg Bay) and JP Bredenhann (Panel-Rite). Hart and Bredenhann are the only coastal based competitors - both have faired well in this their first year of Shelby Can-Am racing but will have to get to grips with the circuit quickly if they want to post strong points finishes.
Karl Zachau (Driveline Technologies) should have few problems getting acquainted with the track. While Zachau is also in his debut Shelby year he is one of the fastest men ever to have lapped the track. In his 250 Superkart days a 01 min 02.042 was a respectable lap – a time the Shelby competitors are unlikely to challenge.
However few people will know the circuit as well as Franz Pretorius (Castrol) who has raced in numerous vehicles and classes at the track. Pretorius has had some strong points finishes in recent rounds and will be looking to continue the trend.
Hoping to stand in his way will be the likes of Peter Bailey (Bailey Edwards), Harry Roscoe (Protea Playing Cards), Trevor Frost (Strocam Mining) and Richard Wood (Almar Packaging). Clare Vale (The Truck Man) will be going all out to show her male counterparts how it’s done while Colin Frost (Strocam), received an extra boost from Goodyear after the Phakisa round
Goodyear who has been a loyal sponsor of the Shelby Can-Am series for five years now hosts a tyre draw after each championship round. The draw sees Goodyear donating a full set of race tyres to one lucky competitor, with Frost the fortunate beneficiary at the last draw. The Can-Am series welcomes its second international participant of the season this weekend. Italian entrant Marco Jacoboni competed earlier this year while Bruno Curletto will be make his South African racing debut at Zwartkops. Curletto who works for OMP Racing in Italy was invited to South Africa by the local arm of the company – OMP SA. ‘We are delighted to have Bruno Curletto from OMP in Italy joining us for the weekend’” comments George Frost of OMP South Africa. “This visit presents us with the perfect opportunity of both familiarizing the South African motor sport community with OMP as a world leader in the manufacturing and supply of safe yet cost effective race wear and accessories and, exposing us in a very positive way, to a wider European racing audience. “Bruno tested a Shelby Can-Am during his trip to South Africa in November 2005 and by all accounts, should be on the pace! He has become a good friend as well as a business associate – We hope that he has a great time, “ concluded Frost. Curletto was similarly enthusiastic ahead of his visit. “I am looking forward to racing in the Shelby Can-Am series,” he commented. “I would like to thank the Frost family who gave me the opportunity to come to South Africa. I think the Shelby Can-Am series is fantastic because it offers the right mix of competition and friendship. The people and the kindness they have shown me have definitely made the trip worth while.”
It’s been six weeks since the last Shelby Can-Am race took place. Though the break came as a welcome rest period for the teams and drivers, one can be sure the drivers will be anxious to get out on the track, therefore their will be no shortage of crowd thrilling action.
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