HOLLARD SHELBY CAN-AM SEASON GETS
UNDERWAY AT WESBANK RACEWAY
|
|
The Hollard Shelby Can-Am Championship gets underway at Wesbank Raceway on Sunday 18th of February. The event also marks the introduction of the Pro Tour national circuit racing season. The newly found Pro Tour series will be run over eight rounds with Zetec Formula Ford, Formula Vee, Altech Porsche Challenge, Goldwagen VW Challenge, and Kawasaki Cup Bikes also participating. Another development for 2007 is the confirmation that Hollard Insurance will be the naming rights sponsor for Shelby Can-Ams for the next three years. “Shelby Can-Am are delighted to announce the partnership with Hollard at the outset of 2007. We feel extremely proud to be associated with a company of this stature, and also a fair amount of pressure to perform, which can only bode well for the future,” explains Shelby Can-Am Association Chairman Neil Lobb. “The relationship with Hollard grew during the course of 2006 season with Hollard signage adorning a few of the Shelbys. Hollard were also instrumental in helping us bring a number of Italian drivers to South Africa during the year. It just seems fitting to enter 2007 as the Hollard Shelby Can-Ams.” In addition long-time sponsor Goodyear has confirmed it will once again support the Shelby Can-Am series. “We are delighted that Goodyear has again opted to support out series. We hope to once again do them proud as the fastest national single seater series.” The developments don’t stop there the design and performance of the Shelby cars will also be in the spotlight during the course of the year. A new body design is on the cards. Based on the current Le Mans-type sports car designs, the eye catching new body shape is expected to be seen on the track by the end of March. Technically there are also exciting changes coming. The re-styled body requires a new exhaust system, which is being designed to provide additional power as well as a sweeter sounding engine note. Early in the season all cars will be fitted with lightweight racing clutches, which will further improve acceleration and speed. The sequential gear-change mechanism is currently being tested and will be introduced once the testing phase has been completed. This season will also see the Hollard Shelby Can-Am field going head to head with various Porches at various events. These events will take on the format of longer sprint races, or endurance-style races with pit stops for driver and tyre changes. Last season saw Ruan Pretorius dominate the series to become the 2006 Shelby Can-Am Champion while Neil Lobb, Donavan Roscoe and Darryn Lobb battled it out for the minor positions. This year however Pretorius will not be returning to the series, giving the rest of the field all the opportunity to scrap for the 2007 title. Heading that challenge should be Neil Lobb (DK Woodcraft), the reigning series second overall. He will be going all out in 2007 to reclaim the championship trophy having held it on two previous occasions. Standing in his way will be Donavan Roscoe (Stanley Tools) and Darryn Lobb (DK Woodcraft). Hard on their heels will be the find of last season, Jean-Paul Bredenhann (Chemspec), and the likes of Chris Hart (Hi-Q Plettenberg), Karl Zachau (Driveline Technology), Allan Eve and Rui Campos (Boltt) all of whom are quite capable of taking podium positions. Other drivers to watch for are Craig Shorter (Hollard), Colin Frost (Strocam), and Franz Pretorius (Castrol EDGE) the Masters Champion 2006. Sam Hammond (Ceramic World), Sean Greve (Vulcania Reinforcing), Pierre Brydges (Firzt Realty), Richard Wood (Almar Packing), veteran Harry Roscoe (Protea Playing Cards) and Peter Bailey (Bailey Edwards) will be going all to get there season off to a strong start when the lights go green at Wesbank Raceway. Also making an appearance at Wesbank Raceway will be well known motorsport journalist Andre de Kock. Should you require further information or high res images for publication please contact Nathalie Jeanmonod on 083 799 6802 or e-mail nathalie@spannerworx.co.za For high-res images visit www.tracksidepics.co.za/media |