Darryn Lobb (DK Woodcraft) put in a faultless performance at Kyalami Grand Prix circuit, on Saturday 8 September, to take a double win in the Hollard Shelby Can Am race and improve his chances at taking this year’s championship title.

Darryn’s main championship rival, father Neil Lobb (DK Woodcraft) had a difficult weekend after a mechanical failure during practice saw the former champion having to enter a different car for the race. The vehicle change meant he would need to start from the back of the grid, a major setback in his championship challenge.

With father Neil relegated to the back of the field, Darryn’s main opposition came from Donavan Roscoe in his yellow Stanley Tools Can Am. Roscoe, who started from pole position held on to the lead initially but it was only a matter of time before a determined Lobb found his way into the lead, eventually taking the chequered flag with Roscoe following in his wake.

Third place went to a delighted Chris Hart (Hi-Q Plettenburg Bay), following a collision between Alan Eve (HUGO BOSS) and JP Bredenhann (BIG FOOT Express), that left the two challengers out of contention.

New comer to the Shelby Can Am series Jennifer Murray (Hollard / Bravo Holdings) took fourth place ahead of Brian Algar (Firedart), Dave Beattie (BACE Structural Engineers) and Sam Hammond (San Marco).

Neil Lobb made his way from the back of the field to finish in an eventual eighth place. He was followed to the line by Colin Frost (Strocam), Harry Roscoe (Protea Playing Cards), Greg Bailey (Bailey Edwards), Trevor Frost (Strocam Mining) and Rob Wall (Vered Estates), while Sean Greve (Vulcania Reinforcing Company) will have been disappointed to have finished a lap down having qualified in seventh place.

The second heat saw the Hollard Shelby Can competitors sharing the Kyalami track with Altech Porsche Unlimited competitors. The mixed field makes for exciting viewing with a large field and plenty of action throughout the ranks.

Toby Venter headed the pack in his ultra fast Porsche with former Shelby racer Frans Pretorius taking second place in his 917 Porsche. At the front of the Shelby Can Am pack it was once again Darryn Lobb who set the pace and took the victory.

 Donovan Roscoe had a close fight with Rui Campos (HUGO Boss) for second place. Campos who failed to finish the first race following an electrical problem looked set to take second place however Roscoe managed to just inch past him at the flag and Campos had to settle for third.      

Chris Hart had another consistent run to take fourth place with Dave Beatie taking fifth ahead of Brian Algar. Jennifer Murray was the sixth Shelby Can Am entrant home with Alan Eve and Sean Greve in pursuit.

Neil Lobb got caught up amongst the Porsche entrants but managed to finish tenth ahead of Porsche driver Thomas Reib. Colin Frost, Harry Roscoe  and Robb Wall managed to stay in front of Sam Hammond. Hammond piloted his Ferrari Challenge car during the second race, while Eve (whose car was damaged in the race 1 incident) piloted his Shelby. Greg Bailey and Trevor Frost completed the Shelby Can Am field with a gaggle of Porsche entrants following them home.

With just two rounds remaining in this year’s Hollard Shelby Can Am championship tensions are high among the title challengers. The next round of the championship takes place on 29 September at Zwartkops Raceway in Pretoria.  

HOLLARD SHELBY CAN AM OVERALL RESULTS 

1          Darryn Lobb                                    DK Woodcraft          

2          Donavan Roscoe                              Stanley Tools

3          Chris Hart                                        Hi Q Plettenburg Bay

4          Jennifer Murrray                               Hollard / Bravo Holdings

5          Brian Algar                                       Omnicover

6          Dave Beattie                                     BACE Structural Engineers