Icy conditions and periodical down pours were the order of the day at Zwartkops Raceway on Saturday 20 May. That didn’t halt the efforts of the Shelby Can-Am brigade who put on a spectacular show in-spite of the adverse weather conditions.
 

Ruan Pretorius (Castrol) extended his championship lead by taking a double win for the day, though he didn’t have it all his own way.
 

Race 1 saw Pretorius challenged by father and son pairing Neil Lobb (Caltex Havoline) and Darryn Lobb (DK Woodcraft). The pair managed to hassle Pretorius for a number of laps but were both slowed by brake problems in the closing stages of the race.
 

Darryn found himself in second place when the flag dropped with father Neil in tow. Donavan Roscoe (Stanley Tools) kept out of trouble to finish fourth ahead of JP Bredenhann (Panel-Rite) and Rui Campos (Bolt).
 

Series new-comer Chris Hart (Hi-Q Plettenberg Bay) did well to finish seventh in his first outing at Zwartkops. He was chased to the line by another Zwartkops debutante Bruno Curletto. Italian Curletto was invited to compete in the Shelby Can-Am series by local OMP distributors Slip Stream Racing.
 

Clare Vale (The Truck Man) represented the fairer sex heading Richard Wood (Almar Packaging) and Gary Green (Autozone), while Harry Roscoe (Protea Playing Cards) and Franz Pretorius (Castrol) rounded out the field.
 

Race 2 saw a number of drivers being caught out by the wet conditions and intermittent hail. Ruan Pretorius was the first to loose ground allowing Campos to take the lead for a short period. He was soon overcome by Niel Lobb, Darryn Lobb and a recovering Pretorius.
 

Lobb snr was the next to get caught out by the slippery conditions allowing Pretorius to regain the lead where he stayed until the flag cam out. Neil led hope son Darryn with Campos in pursuit.
 

Roscoe was fifth ahead of Karl Zachau (Drivelines Technology) and Italian guest driver Curletto. Colin Frost (Strocam), who lost a wheel in race one, led home Franz Pretorius and Harry Roscoe. Wood, Vale and Bredenhann completed the field in what was a rain soaked outing.

 

The next round of the Shelby Can-Am Championship takes place at Kyalami Grand Prix circuit on July 1 and is sure to be another closely fought affair.