Drivers, teams and organisers from the Legends Cars Championship gathered at the Radisson Blu Hotel near Donington Park on Saturday, 28th January, for the category’s glittering annual Awards Evening – crowning each of the 2022 season’s title winners.
Compered by legendary motorsport event host, commentator and pit-lane broadcaster Alan Hyde, the evening celebrated the fantastic achievements of last year’s campaign with a look ahead as well to the 2023 season which will be the biggest in Legends Cars’ history in the UK.
Heading the list of award recipients, of course, was three-time Legends Cars Champion Miles Rudman (Sutton Coldfield), who was presented with his 2022 title trophy by Legends Cars Championship owner Phil Cooper.
Vice-Champion Will Gibson (Camberley), the winningest driver from last year’s championship in terms of race victories, Rookie Champion Ben Higgins (Powys), and Masters Cup winner Steve Whitelegg (Bury) – receiving the Gerard McCosh Napoleon Award – were all in attendance to collect their trophies.
The ‘Team Car’ Championship title was collected by Chris Needham (Altrincham), who shared the winning No.99 car with Gareth Sheridan (Altrincham), while Marcus Pett (Boston), who took his best ever championship finish of fourth overall last year, was named ‘Most Improved Driver’.
Linda Pocklington was awarded the ‘Cooper Cup’, for her longstanding work, and championship mainstay Nathan Anthony (Horley) collected the trophy for third place in the championship on behalf of John Mickel (Horsham), who wasn’t in attendance.
Legends Cars’ incredibly exciting 2023 calendars have now been officially confirmed too. The main championship season, with support from MRF Tyres, will begin on 15th/16th April at Cadwell Park before visiting Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in June, Snetterton 300 Circuit in October and Brands Hatch again for the finale on 4th/5th November. Six races will be contested at each of those events.
The standalone three-weekend series running as part of the support package to the British Touring Car Championship will be known as the ‘Legends Cars Elite Cup’. Starting at Brands Hatch Indy on 6th/7th May, the series will visit Croft over the weekend 29th/30th July before reaching a conclusion at Knockhill in Scotland on 12th/13th August.
Phil Cooper – Legends Cars Championship Owner:
“What a fantastic evening we had on Saturday, celebrating all of the 2022 champions and awarding their trophies. I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped to organise the event, and a special thank you to Alan Hyde for being an outstanding compere once again. Last season really was a fantastic championship, from the start of the opening round to the final chequered flag.
“Of course, we’re now gearing up for what will undoubtedly be our biggest ever season of Legends Cars racing. The Legends Cars Championship with MRF Tyres will begin in April and the standalone Legends Cars Elite Cup, running in support of the BTCC, starts in May. There’s a hugely exciting year of action in store, we can’t wait to be back racing.”
2023 Legends Cars Championship with MRF Tyres:
Rds1&2 – Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire – 15/16 April
Rds3&4 – Brands Hatch Indy, Kent – 17/18 June
Rds5&6 – Snetterton, Norfolk – 7/8 October
Rds7&8 – Brands Hatch Indy, Kent – 4/5 November
2023 Legends Cars Elite Cup (supporting the BTCC):
Rds1&2 – Brands Hatch Indy, Kent – 6/7 May
Rds3&4 – Croft, North Yorkshire – 29/30 July
Rds5&6 – Knockhill, Fife, Scotland – 12/13 August