rumor control--has SAAC lost its use of Shelby name?

[Don]

An Editor from Hemmings e-Weekly has included in today's e-mail an update regarding the SAAC license. I may have previously missed the comment, but mentioned is a :

" partnership with the owners of BlueOvalNews.com "

with Team Shelby ?

MUSCLE CARS
Shelby not renewing SAAC’s license

In recent weeks, we told you about Carroll Shelby severing all ties with the Shelby American Automobile Club, which began nearly 33 years ago, when folks were still driving these cars on highways and byways to work.

Well, now Shelby has terminated the SAAC’s license. The club’s license to operate expires January 31, 2008, and Shelby has announced, for unknown reasons, that he will not be renewing the license. Not only is Shelby not renewing the license, but SAAC has also been served with a letter from Shelby’s attorney, Neil Cummings & Associates, on Shelby’s behalf asking for the return of all documents, materials, registry information, financial statements and merchandise to him.

It seems like a coincidence to us that this is all coming down as Shelby Autos recently announced their own new club, called Team Shelby, in partnership with the owners of BlueOvalNews.com

The SAAC has released a statement dated November 25, 2007, which says it is proud of its many accomplishments and is looking forward to a bright future. “One of SAAC’s most important missions is to protect the integrity of the marque against the dishonest, the revisionists and the counterfeiters. Over the decades, as a result of tens of thousands of volunteer man-hours, SAAC has amassed a comprehensive data base of information on each Shelby vehicle.” The SAAC knows a good attorney is going to cost plenty of money. It is looking for donations to its legal fund, said national directors Ken Eber, Rick Kopec and Howard Pardee.

- By George Mattar