Hi all,
I?m rather late with this blog, but 2 weeks ago, the Pro-Tour headed to East London for the 6th round of the national championship.
I went into the round with a healthy points lead, knowing that 2 wins on the day, and I would be the new South African Shelby Can-Am champion.
We got off to a terrible start on friday, with severe brake issues in session 1, and a puncture in session 2. We manage to come right in session 3 and topped the time sheets.
The team and I, felt on the back foot going into qualifying, knowing that we had only managed one decent session for the day. It turned out that back foot was an understateement, when the fuel pump on my #99 Shelby packed up on the outlap.
I managed to circulte, and somehow, still put a lap together worthy of 13th on the grid, and despite this, pretty much gave up hope on the championship, but motorsport is a funny thing.
I had a great run in the first heat and managed to finish up in a respectable 4th position after the race.
It was a tough situation, as I knew that the 2nd heat is a reverse grid (top 8)based on race 1 fastest laps! I managed the 3rd fastest lap, and as a result, started the 2nd heat in 6th position.
To cut a long story short, I put my head down from the very first lap. By lap 4 I was in 2nd place chasing down my team mate. He was battling with a flexing rear wing which was reall hurting him on the fastest race track in South Africa.
I completed the pass on lap 6 and kept pushing, knowing that a win was all I could do. The championship was then handed to me on a platter with 2 laps to go, when my closest championship rival had a coming together with another competitor, and instantly ended both their races on the spot.
I crossed the line a little under 5 seconds ahead, but more importantly, I crossed the line to take my 2nd south African Shelby Can-Am championship!
I must say a big thank you to my race engineer, Dougie Meyer, as well as the whole DAW Racing team. They have prepared an awesome car all year and it is great to bring the championship home for them. another thank you must go to my sponsors. first and foremost, DK Woodcraft who have backed me 2 both my championships. they are the best in the furniture business, and now they have proved to be the best on track once again!
I cant wait to turn my #99 into the #1 for next year! Bring on 2010!
See ya later,
Darryn Lobb
2009 South African Shelby Can-Am Champion!
