Connor Mills (Upminster), the inaugural winner of the British Touring Car Championship-supporting Legends Cars Elite Cup, will defend his crown when the 2024 season gets underway a fortnight from now as category organisers confirm an entry of almost 30 cars for the new campaign.

Mills’ return adds yet more quality to the packed entry for the 30th anniversary Legends Cars season, which features a number of familiar faces, experienced race winners, rising stars and several newcomers to the hugely popular 5/8 scale pocket rockets.

With the first batch of drivers named last month, including reigning Legends Cars Champion Will Gibson (Camberley) and race winners Robert Barrable (Dublin) and Luke Simmons (Lingfield), the entry for the coming campaign has been bolstered further with some terrific new announcements.

In addition to the return of Elite Cup Champion Mills, multiple race winner and title contender Chris Needham (Altrincham) is back as is fellow championship front-runner and serial race winner Andy Bird (Calne).

Youngster Oli Schlup (Cuckfield), one of the absolute rising stars of Legends Cars, makes a very welcome return to the championship while, at the other end of the experience scale, 2000 Legends Cars Champion and last season’s Masters Champion Rob Fountain (Boston) is also back.

Matt Knight (Shoreham by Sea), who just missed out on a top 10 finish in the Legends Cars driver standings by a mere 10 points last year in his maiden season, will be another to watch as he seeks to challenge the established front-runners.

Tyler Read (Weedon), who enjoyed a sensational maiden campaign in Legends Cars last year to win the Rookie crowns in both the overall championship and the Elite Cup, will have his sights on greater prizes in 2024 in his sophomore year in the category.

Meanwhile, Harri Musselle (Buckingham), who made his car racing debut in Legends last year at Snetterton, will embark on his first full season as a solo entry in the Rookie class. Also competing in the Rookie class will be Graham Butler (Rye), who will begin his campaign at the American Speedfest event in June, and Jai Nijjar.

Long-standing Legends Cars competitor Mike Schlup (Cuckfield), father of young talent Oli, will be racing in the Team Car class this season by sharing his No.3 entry with Paul Musselle (Buckingham), meaning more entertaining father and son battles in prospect, as last season.

Rounds one and two of the Legends Cars Championship, which will also form the first two rounds of the Legends Cars Elite Cup, will take place over the weekend 27th/28th April at Donington Park National Circuit in Leicestershire.

Running as part of the support package to the BTCC, as in 2023 there will be first class live coverage of the Legends Cars action from day two of the race meeting available through ITV4 and also at ITVX, meaning the racing can be enjoyed on TV as well as smartphones, tablets, PCs and other devices.

Phil Cooper – Legends Cars Championship Owner:
“It’s fantastic news we’re able to confirm almost 30 cars entered for our 30th Anniversary season, with well over 30 drivers so far set to compete. We’re fortunate to have an excellent mix of experience, youth, front-running ability and raw talent, and we absolutely can’t wait to see how the first two rounds of 2024 unfold at Donington Park in a couple of weeks.

“It’s particularly wonderful to have both of our champions from last year, Will Gibson and Connor Mills, back to defend their respective titles, as well as our Masters Champions and our stand-out Rookie from 2023, Tyler Read. To start this season alongside the BTCC is the perfect way to begin our 30th Anniversary celebrations.”