Reigning champion Darryn Lobb (DK Woodcraft) might have won the season opening Execuline Shelby Can-Am races at Kyalami and repeated the feat in Durban last month, but his switch to saloon cars leaves the series with no clear-cut title favourite. 

After a good run at Kyalami Dave Beattie lies second in the points race and with a new sponsor DURA, part of the Soletanche Bachy Group, a worldwide leader in geotechnical engineering and construction, he stands a very good chance of returning home as the championship leader.   

The last time the Nissan V6 powered Shelby Can-Am cars visited Aldo Scribante was in 2006 so there’s a large contingent of drivers who’ve never sampled the track or have never driven a car with such an amount of power around the short but testing circuit.  

The only lady in the line-up, Jennifer Murray (Execuline) drove neatly and cleanly to take a fourth in Durban and bagged a third at Kyalami so she’s quickly established herself as one of the front-runners in the championship. However, the only experience of the circuit that she has, is at the wheel of a Formula Ford.  

Another driver who has experience of the PE circuit, but not in a Shelby Can-Am is former VW Polo racer Guy Botterill (Fragram). The KZN based driver will make his debut in the series in PE and could well be a threat to the front–runners once he gets used to the extra power and grip of these sportscars. 

At Durban Rui Campos (Hugo Boss) was surprisingly fast and neat which makes him one of the favourites in PE along with Alan Eve (Hugo Boss) who drove an inspired race in Durban and even led for a while. Eve had his first taste of Aldo Scribante almost 20 years ago.  

For Plettenberg Bay’s Chris Hart (Hi-Q Plett) it is as close to a home race as he’ll get all season so he’ll be determined to put in a strong performance and he’s got the pace to challenge for a win.  

Brian Algar (Firedart) is one of those rare ‘thinking’ drivers around and his tactical approach could see him sneak a win. Craig Shorter (Execuline) was on form last time out in Durban and will be a safe bet for a top six, if not a podium finish.  

The likes of Rob Wall (Vered Estates), Colin Frost (Strocam) are also capable of good results as is former Porsche racer Thomas Reib (Intertrans) who’s opened a few eyes since his debut at Kyalami. And then there’s Kwa-Zulu Natal drivers Bryant van der Merwe (Chemspec) and Sun Moodley (Big Foot Express) who also made their debuts at Kyalami and then adapted well to the bumpy streets of Durban. Another Kyalami debutant was Hanno Pengilly but he was in the wars a bit in Durban.  

Execuline Shelby Can-Am Racing is supported by Hollard, Spanjaard Ltd, Carrera eye wear, British International and Goodyear.