12-29-07: This year has been a big year for Carroll Shelby it many ways. Not only have his cars become the biggest news story of the year, but also the SAAC debacle and the birth of Team Shelby. With the dissolution of the good times between SAAC and Mr. Shelby last fall came the start of an all new Shelby owners club that Carroll gives his blessing to, Team Shelby.

So, gone is SAAC Does Vegas, and this January comes a huge celebration to mark Carroll’s 85th birthday in Las Vegas. Team Shelby and Shelby Automobiles will celebrate the 85th birthday of the legendary Carroll Shelby with a major event at the Las Vegas factory on January 11-13, 2008. The event will include a car show, chili cook off, autograph session with Mr. Shelby and various legends, 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR exhibit, open track sessions and many other activities.

“Carroll Shelby is an American hero who changed the face of automotive performance,” said Amy Boylan, president of Shelby Automobiles. “We’re going to kick off a year long celebration of this amazing man’s life with a serious party. Working with Team Shelby, we’ll throw a party Carroll’s way with lots of ways for enthusiasts to enjoy their cars. It will be one of the single most important events of 2008 for Shelby fans.”

Carroll Shelby dominated sports car racing in the mid-1950s, twice being named Sports Car Illustrated’s “Driver of the Year.” His crowning achievement came in 1959, when he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

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After he retired from racing in 1960 due to a heart ailment, Carroll Shelby began a new chapter in his career. In 1962, he forged a relationship with Ford Motor Company that created performance magic. Attracting talented individuals from California’s aerospace and hot communities, as well as tapping the resources of Ford, he founded Shelby American to create the legendary Cobra sports car.

In 1965, Ford asked Shelby to turn its new Mustang into a dominant muscle car. Over the next four years, the Shelby team put Mustang at the pinnacle of the performance world with the Shelby G.T.350 and Shelby G.T.500. The relationship also resulted in a limited edition Shelby GT350-H with Hertz Rental Cars in 1966.

Today, his company Shelby Automobiles operates a manufacturing facility at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The company builds the Cobra 427 S/C, Cobra 289 FIA and street Cobra component vehicles, as well as a variety of pre and post-title Shelbys based on the current generation Ford Mustang.

Back to the Shelby club thing, in late 2007, Carroll Shelby worked with a group to form Team Shelby, the only club officially recognized by the factory for all vehicles built by Shelby. The organization is directed by Robert Lane and Sharon Elliot. It is not mandatory to own a Shelby; members must the share the club’s “life needs more” attitude and celebrate all high performance Shelbys.

Robert Lane of course is a long time stalwart in the Mustang and Shelby realm having run some of the most prominent Ford and Mustang websites that exist. These include www.BlueOvalNews.com and www.StangsUnleashed.com to name a few. This is obviously a well deserved and earned opportunity for him given his past decade in the trenches.

“Team Shelby was founded to give everyone who loves the Cobra, Shelby GT, GLH and GT500, as well as Mustangs modified with genuine Shelby parts, new ways to enjoy their car,” added Robert Lane, co-founder of Team Shelby. “This birthday celebration will be our first major Team Shelby event and will demonstrate the ‘go fast, have fun’ attitude that runs through our group.”

The Carroll Shelby Birthday / Team Shelby event will feature:

· Birthday party for Mr. Shelby

· 1 day of open track action at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway

· 1 day of drag racing at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway

· Parts swap meet and vendor area

· Chili cook off demonstration

· Exhibit of the 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR production cars

· Hertz Shelby reunion and car show at the Shelby factory

· Autograph session with Carroll Shelby and special guests

About Team Shelby

Team Shelby is the only club officially recognized by the factory (www.shelbyautos.com) for all vehicles built by Shelby. The group offers a wide variety of activities, ranging from track days to factory tours. The enthusiast community features a Web site hosting videos, forums, podcasts, exclusive news and briefings; an on-line Shelby registry is also planned. Information is available at www.teamshelby.com and www.midamericafordmeet.com.