Las Vegas – July 25, 2008 – A team of Shelby CSX 4000 series Cobras from Shelby Automobiles, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc., (CSBI.PK), roared to victory in class during the 2008 Kohler International Challenge with Brian Redman at Road America. The event was sponsored by Ford Motor Company on July 17 through 20, 2008 at the track in Elkhart Lake, Wisc. Team drivers Tom Barnard, Vincent Dean and Tim Korzen put Cobras on the podium in their respective classes during the first factory race initiative from Shelby Autos and Ford Motor Company since 1969.
“I’m very proud of everyone who was part of the Ford Shelby Cobra team this weekend,” said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby Automobiles. “I wanted to see if we were ready to return to racing by partnering with Ford at this event. Because of the professional way we conducted ourselves, I believe we have the right stuff to compete again.”
The Kohler International Challenge with Brian Redman is one of the largest vintage gatherings in the USA with over 30 classes of cars in ten groups. Sanctioned by the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association, the event features vintage race cars competing on Road America, the world’s fastest permanent road course.
Tom Barnard, Vincent Dean, AC Augustine and Tim Korzen piloted four CSX4000 Challenge Cobras in Group 10. Dean captured first place in group 10BP, Barnard won second place in group 10AP, Korzen was third in group 10BP and Augustine was sixth in group 10BP. The top finishes echoed the success of the Shelby team in the 1960s. During that period, Shelby 289 and 427 Cobras won road racing and drag racing championships worldwide while Ford Shelby Mustangs trounced sedan teams under the Shelby banner.
“Shelby’s legacy began on the race tracks,” added Amy Boylan, president of Shelby Automobiles. “Carroll and his team personally earned a reputation on the track before they ever started producing cars. Now we’ve come full circle and shown that Shelby still has what it takes to win. And the competition knows that our Cobras are still every bit as mean today as they were 40 years ago. We’re all very excited about the prospect of taking Shelbys into the heat of battle on the track once more.”
Carroll Shelby is the only person to have won the 24 hours of Le Mans as a driver, team owner and manufacturer. After dominating sports car racing as a driver, he forged a relationship with Ford that resulted in the founding of Shelby American and the Cobra sports car. Today his company, Shelby Automobiles, continues to build the Cobra as a component vehicle in the 289 street car, FIA and 427 S/C models.
About Shelby Automobiles, Inc. Founded by legend Carroll Shelby, Shelby Automobiles, Inc., manufactures and markets performance vehicles and related products. The company manufactures authentic continuation Cobras, including the 427 S/C, 289 FIA and 289 street car component vehicles. The company partnered with Ford Motor Company to launch the new Shelby GT500, Shelby GT and Shelby GT500KR, which are based on the Mustang. For more information about Shelby Automobiles and to see the build of a 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR, visit www.shelbyautos.com.
