Darryn Lobb (DK Woodcraft) proved he is gunning for the 2007 Hollard Shelby Can-Am title, at this weekend’s Zwartkops race meeting, which was sponsored by Spanjaard. Lobb took two convincing victories at the Pretoria based circuit and now looks to be a strong threat in this year’s championship fight.

Donavan Roscoe (Stanley Tools) set the early pace, taking pole position for the day’s first heat ahead of Darryn and father Neil Lobb. The race got off to a chaotic start with numerous cars taking to the gravel following a first corner incident that forced the retirement of Alan Eve (Boss), Richard Wood and Karl Zachau (Driveline/Salt).

This incident led to the safety car being deployed, but Darryn Lobb managed to pass Donavan Roscoe to take the lead shortly before this happened. When the safety car period ended Darryn Lobb made a clean break and continued on unchallenged to take the victory. Roscoe hung on to take second place with Neil Lobb (DK Woodcraft) taking the final podium slot.

Jean-Paul Bredenhann (Big Foot Transporters) headed Rui Campos (Hugo Boss) to the flag. Peter Bailey (Bailey Edwards) benefited from the chaos of the first lap incident to take sixth place ahead of Craig Shorter (Hollard Insurance) and Colin Frost (Strocam).

Robb Wall (Vered Estates) had a good run to take ninth place ahead of Harry Roscoe (Protea Playing Cards), Brian Algar (Omicover), Sean Greve (Vulcania Reinforcing Company) and Sam Hammond (San Marco).

The Clerk of the Course decided that Alan Eve had caused the incident on the first lap, and placed him under observation for the next three races. 

Darryn Lobb led from start to finish to take the second heat victory. He was closely pursued by father Neil, who set a new lap record for the Shelby class while Donavan Roscoe took third place.  

Alan Eve (Boss) made amends for his retirement in heat 1 by taking fourth place.  Sam Hammond drove the best race of his Shelby career and took fifth place ahead of Karl Zachau (Driveline/Salt). 

JP Bredenhann and Rui Campos had a coming together at turn two on lap seven. Campos later lost a wheel as a result of this and retired. Bredenhann finished the race but was later disqualified after a protest for this incident.  This left Brian Algar to take seventh place ahead of Sean Greve, Rob Wall, Colin Frost, Harry Roscoe and Craig Shorter.

JP Bredenhann has appealed against his exclusion, which appeal will be held before the next race at Phakisa.  The results to date are therefore provisional pending the outcome of this hearing, but currently show Neil Lobb leading the Championship by only two points from Darryn Lobb, with Donavan Roscoe another eight points behind in third place. 

Hollard Insurance and Execuline, co-sponsors of the class, used the occasion to proudly unveil the new body shape for the class, dressed in their livery.  It looked brilliant, and this exciting new shape will first be thoroughly tested before being brought into use by the class, hopefully as soon as possible. 

The next round of the Hollard Shelby Can-Am Championship takes place at Phakisa Freeway on 28 July. With four rounds still to run none of the leaders dare slack off, as there is everything to play for in what is turning into an extremely tight battle for the Championship.