Less than a month since the 2026 Legends Cars Championship got underway, the stars and cars of the unmistakable all-action category are already getting ready for their third race meeting of the season – an absolute highlight of the year, a welcome return to Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit.

Taking place at the Kent venue this coming weekend, 2nd/3rd May, rounds five and six of the Legends Cars campaign, which also act as the third and fourth rounds of the inter-series Elite Cup, will run as a support category for the first time to the prestigious GT World Challenge Europe.

Hot on the heels of a simply outstanding event at Donington Park just a week ago, where the Legends Cars raced alongside the British Touring Car Championship, there is no rest for the drivers and teams as they head straight into another of this season’s true crown jewel events.

Leading the way in the overall Championship is Aaron Cooke (Croxley Green), a driver who is enjoying a sensational start to his first full season racing the 5/8 scale pocket rockets. Claiming two wins at Silverstone National Circuit on the opening weekend at the beginning of April, Cooke took another double last time out at Donington to grab the points lead from Chris Needham (Altrincham).

Needham, who enjoyed a tremendous hat-trick of victories at Silverstone, had a mixed Donington weekend with car issues on day one limiting his potential. More podiums on day two, though, meant the ultra-quick racer slipped no further than third in the driver standings.

Up to second in the Championship is reigning Legends Cars Champion Tyler Read (Daventry), a driver who needs no introduction after his sparkling 2025 season. Some problems at Silverstone impacted the start to his title defence, but Donington was a much better weekend as he raced to three wins.

Coming into the big Brands GP event a few days from now, Read actually leads the Elite Cup – yet another title he is defending this season – thanks to his excellent outing on the BTCC package with his trio of victories and two other podiums.

His Elite Cup lead, though, is a slim 15 points over Cooke, with Luke Simmons (Lingfield) third in the series standings after a very consistent visit to Donington. In all truth, Simmons has been consistent from the off in 2026 and his top four placing in the outright Championship firmly underlines that.

Masters Cup class leader Peter Barrable (Dublin) is fifth in the Championship, fourth in the Elite Cup, and will certainly be one of the front-runners to watch along with the always spectacular Oli Schlup (Cuckfield), Matt Knight (Bramber) and Ross Marshall (Stirling). The latter had achieved his maiden victory in the Championship at Donington, before an unfortunate penalty cost him the success.

Andy Bird (Calne) was hugely quick at Donington Park, claiming his first win of the season on day one, but a luckless accident on the second day ruled him out of the remainder of the event with major car damage. Going into Brands Hatch he is second in the main Masters Cup battle, third in the class battle within the Elite Cup behind five-time former overall Champion John Mickel (Copthorne).

There are plenty of other names to watch out for including the likes of past race winner Marcus Pett (Boston), Nick Price (March), top Rookie Cup competitor Nathan Williams (Higher Bebington), Mike Schlup (Cuckfield) and Graham Butler (Rye).

There is also the ‘Team Car’ battle to enjoy, a class in which a single car is shared during the course of a season by two or more drivers. The No.11 Team #2Mater car leads the way in the Championship while the No.32 Team Pooley entry heads the Team Car class in the Elite Cup.

Notably, former Masters Cup Champion and outright race winner Nick Bridgeman (Baldock) will make a very welcome return to Legends Cars action just a few days from now, driving the No.5 Team Car of Mickel Motorsport.

Will Gibson – Legends Cars Championship Owner:
“We’re all really looking forward to being back at Brands GP for the second season in a row, it’s an amazing track and a real test of skill for the drivers. It goes without saying, to be part of the support package of the British round of the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup is massive and gives yet another major platform on which to showcase the Legends Cars.

“It’s been a very busy start to the season, already heading into our third event of 2026, and after two incredible weekends at Silverstone and Donington we’re sure Brands will be every bit as exciting and spectacular. Let’s see if Aaron [Cooke] and Tyler [Read] can maintain their respective points leads, or whether the six Brands races will deliver some new or returning faces to the winners’ circle.”

Qualifying practice will take place at 11.10 on Saturday, 2nd May, at Brands Hatch GP Circuit with Heat One following at 13.10, Heat Two at 15.40 and the Final at 18.05. On Sunday, 3rd May, Heat One is set to begin at 12.25, Heat Two follows at 14.50 and the Final rounds out the day at 18.00.

Provisional 2026 Legends Cars Championship Points (after Rd4)
1st Aaron Cooke, 2060pts; 2nd Tyler Read, 1965pts; 3rd Chris Needham, 1805pts; 4th Luke Simmons, 1745pts; 5th Peter Barrable (M), 1680pts; 6th Oli Schlup, 1605pts

Provisional 2026 Legends Cars Championship Masters Cup Points (after Rd4)
1st Peter Barrable, 1680pts; 2nd Andy Bird, 1260pts; 3rd John Mickel, 1085pts

Provisional 2026 Legends Cars Elite Cup Points (after Rd2)
1st Tyler Read, 1035pts; 2nd Aaron Cooke, 1020pts; 3rd Luke Simmons, 915pts; 4th Peter Barrable (M), 830pts; 5th Oli Schlup, 785pts; 6th Ross Marshall, 760pts

Provisional 2026 Legends Cars Elite Cup Masters Cup Points (after Rd2)
1st Peter Barrable, 830pts; 2nd John Mickel, 570pts; 3rd Andy Bird, 530pts