Shelby Can-Am is South Africa’s spectacular open top sports car series and it is perhaps fitting that round five is back at Zwartkops, a circuit that produced thrills and spills at round two.  

Big news is that former championship contender George Ferreira returns to the series after an absence of several years. It might take a few races for him to settle into the groove, but knowing Ferreira he will be tough opponent from the start. 

Thanks to a short lap of 2.4km, Zwartkops produces close racing and a good grid slot is vitally important as the tight track presents few overtaking opportunities when cars are as equally matched as these Nissan 3.5litre V6 powered sports prototypes. 

There’s a lot at stake as 2008 champion Rui Campos (Hugo Boss) is on top of the points table but only two points clear of Hillcrest’s Guy Botterill in the Yato Tools/Bigfoot Express Freight car. A further two-points adrift is Alan Eve (Phakisa) who has found a good mix of consistency and speed. 

Brian Algar (Thuthuka Welding/Etana Insurancee) is level on points with reigning champion Darryn Lobb, but budget constraints mean it is unlikely that Lobb will be participating. Sixth in the points table is Capetonian Bertil Hofmann (GP Energy Drink) who is a solitary point behind Algar. 

Thomas Reib (Jägermeister) is only two points behind Hoffman, and with two wins behind him at the track he is regarded as a Zwartkops specialist. He is determined to go one better and score a double win. 

As was the case in Welkom, Sean Greve’s Vulcania Reinforcing entry will be driven by former champion Neil Lobb. Another driver to keep an eye on is Andrew Strike who surprised with his performance at the last Zwartkops round. Hanno Pengilly (Azura Retreats) has come alive this season and although he has missed a few events due to business commitments, he should be a hard to beat top six contender. 

There’s great rivalry between Cape Town’s Greg Walker (Indy Oil) and fellow Capetonian Doug MacDonald in the Fantastic Racing example.  

Newcomer Ferdi van Niekerk junior showed good pace on his debut at Phakisa where he impressed a number of seasoned campaigners with a mature performance. Proving that Shelby Can-Am is not a series for ‘old ballies’ is the fact that young Dillon Miller will be making his debut. He’s quite at home at Zwartkops and has had some good outings behind the wheel of a Porsche and Kent Formula Ford. 

Drivers are only allowed a certain number of tyres for the season and going into the second half of the year tyre strategy becomes an important issue. The specified Goodyear racing tyre offers a good balance between wear and performance, but strategy will add a new dimension to the racing.