The 2009 Shelby Can-Am series has its last event of the year at Kyalami and it’s almost a case of saving the best until last. 

Last year Team Holland A1GP star Jeroen Bleekemolen raced in the Shelby Can-Am event at Kyalami in order to gain some circuit knowledge prior to the A1GP race. He enjoyed it so much that he’s put a deal together, with GP Energy Drink, to race again. This time he’ll be at the wheel of the ex Ruan Pretorius car which won the title in 2006. He won a Porsche race supporting the Abu Dhabi GP two weeks ago, so he is on form. 

Darryn Lobb (DK Woodcraft) has amassed enough points to claim the Shelby Can-Am crown for the second time, but he missed the last round as the car was used by Andrea Cavalieri. His newly acquired car was recently rebuilt after being in storage for over two years and the chassis has been thoroughly crack tested!

“I need to end the season on a winning note as I’m trying to secure a budget to race next year and wins count a lot,” he said.  

There is an eagerly anticipated battle for the remaining podium positions. 

It’s hard to believe that hard driving outgoing champion Rui Campos (Hugo Boss) hasn’t won a race this year. He’s is more determined than ever win at the final round and claim second in the championship but he is only five points ahead of the hugely experienced Alan Eve (Sunshine Testing). It will be interesting to see which one of these bitter rivals comes out on top. Another driver in with a chance of snatching the runner-up trophy is Durban’s JP Bredenhann (PanelRite/Bigfoot Express) who won in East London. 

Next up is Brian Algar (Thuthuka Welding) who is only six points clear of Thomas Reib (Coolstar Beverage). Amazingly both have an outside chance of ending the season as runner-up. “But I will need a lot of luck,” said Reib.  

There are ten points between Sean Greve (Vulcania Reinforcing) and Bertil Hofmann (GP Energy Drink) who are holding seventh and eighth in the points log. Although he only started racing last year Hanno Pengilly (Azura Retreats) scored his maiden win at Zwartkops and would dearly love to end the season on a winning note. Durban’s Andrew Strike (RST Clothing) has also done a superb job to be lying tenth considering it is his first season of racing.  

Another new driver is Greg Walker (Bizfone). He has had experience racing saloon cars and has impressed with his pace when he strapped himself into a Shelby Can-Am. There have been a few incidents along the way that have cost him valuable points, but he’s got the speed.  

Twelfth is Durban’s Sun Moodley (Bigfoot Carriers) who has combined consistency with some good results and only failed to score in one race. Craig Shorter (Execuline) has missed a few rounds but is generally a good bet for a top six placing.  

With two decades of competition experience behind him, including a stint in Europe, Dave Beattie (Dura) has had a season he’d rather forget, but most of the time he’s been the innocent victim of somebody else’s accident. He’s looking, not for a win, but a change of fortune. 

Colin Frost (Strocam), Harry ‘Rocket’ Roscoe, Richard Wood and Trevor Frost (SMD) are sports car stalwarts who race purely for the thrill of competition.