Britain’s most entertaining and action-packed big grid racing, the unmistakable Legends Cars Championship, returns to Donington Park next weekend, 29th/30th June, for rounds seven and eight of the season – headlining an eclectic MSV-run event at the Leicestershire track.
So far the 30th Anniversary year of action for the Legends Cars has been breathtaking, with incredible racing at the first two meetings of the campaign – supporting the British Touring Car Championship at Donington in April and then Brands Hatch in May – and also during the series’ second visit of the season to Brands just under a fortnight ago.
With six wins under his belt from the 17 races so far contested, Jack Parker (Wolverhampton) will arrive in the East Midlands next weekend as the points leader although his advantage was more than halved by reigning Legends Cars Champion Will Gibson (Camberley) last time out.
Gibson, with five victories up to now this year, will begin the Donington National Circuit event just 75 points shy of Parker as the rapid and always consistent duo prepare to do battle once more. With an immense 1,200 points up for grabs over the course of the weekend’s six races there is clearly a huge amount to play for.
Third in the standings is Andy Bird (Calne) who was the early season championship leader after the opening two rounds at Donington, where he took his first win of the year. He is only 100 points behind Gibson while fourth placed Connor Mills (Upminster), the inaugural and reigning Legends Cars Elite Cup Champion, is another 65 points shy.
Fifth and sixth heading into next weekend, and tied on points too, are young hot-shots Oli Schlup (Cuckfield) and Tyler Read (Weedon) who are each enjoying a terrific season. Schlup is a two-time winner this year, while Read – last year’s Rookie Champion – claimed his maiden outright Legends Cars victory last time out.
The talent continues with Luke Simmons (Lingfield), Irish siblings Robert Barrable (Dublin) and Peter Barrable (Dublin) and Nick Bridgeman (Baldock) rounding out the championship top 10. Simmons, Robert Barrable and Bridgeman are all race winners in Legends, with the latter currently leading the Masters class battle from Nathan Anthony (Horley).
Leading the Team Car class currently is the No.44 machine which was piloted early in the season by Jamie Moylan (Naas) and was raced for the first time last time out at Brands Hatch by Owen Lawlor (Dublin). Thanks to Moylan’s heroics in the first couple of events, the No.44 has a significant advantage in the class of over 500 points.
This year’s Rookie battle is very closely matched thus far, with Jai Nijjar presently heading the points but only by 20 points from the increasingly competitive Harri Musselle (Buckingham) who enjoyed his best weekend yet in Legends at Brands earlier in the month. Only another five points adrift is Ben Mahoney (Surrey).
As always next weekend, the Legends Cars will deliver six remarkable races – three each day – with action guaranteed from the instant the lights go out. Grids for the two Heats in each round will be set by ballot, rather than qualifying times, with the order for Heat One reversed for Heat Two.
Points accrued over the Heats in round seven will determine the grid for that day’s Final, albeit with the highest scorers having to start at the back. The same is true for round eight, meaning incredible overtaking and bump-drafting will deliver spectacular action from start to finish.
Phil Cooper – Legends Cars Championship Owner:
“Donington is always a fantastic track for the Legends Cars and, as we showed at the first two rounds of the season there, the action is always non-stop. We’re very much looking forward to being back, and especially headlining the MSV event, and I know all of the fans trackside are going to be in for a feast of incredible racing.
“The title battle is getting white hot, just 300 points covering the championship top six after six rounds, and there are plenty of drivers a little further down the points table who can certainly make an impact and climb the order. Don’t forget either, the Legends Cars paddock is the friendliest out there – so if you’re heading to the track, come and say hello and meet the drivers and teams!”
Next weekend’s Legends Cars timetable begins with qualifying at 09.30 on Saturday, 29th June, ahead of Heat One of round seven at 12.30, Heat Two at 16.15 and the Final at 17.45. On Sunday, 30th June, Heat One of round eight is the first track action of the day at 09.00, Heat Two follows at 11.35 and the Final is scheduled to begin at 13.00. Follow live timing at www.tsl-timing.com
Provisional 2024 Legends Cars Championship Points (after Rd6):
1st Jack Parker, 2505pts; 2nd Will Gibson, 2430pts; 3rd Andy Bird, 2330pts; 4th Connor Mills, 2265pts; 5th Oli Schlup, 2205pts; 6th Tyler Read, 2205pts
