Pembrey Circuit in South Wales, one of the most popular tracks in British motorsport, hosts the penultimate event of the 2018 Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres this coming weekend, 13th/14th October, with six absolutely sensational races in prospect.

As the series reaches the true business end of the season, the battle over the coveted title has realistically boiled down to an entertaining two-way fight between the very evenly matched John Mickel (Horsham) and Steve Whitelegg (Bury).

While Mickel is edging nearer to an unprecedented fourth consecutive Legends Cars crown, fellow multiple race winner Whitelegg is striving for his first title and both would be worthy champions come the end of the campaign.

As things stand heading to Pembrey, the first visit of the Legends to the Carmarthenshire track since 2016, the reigning champion has a substantial lead of 560 points over Whitelegg. With the latter having claimed a hat-trick of wins last time out at Snetterton, and 200 points available for a race win, the picture at the top of the standings could certainly alter by the end of Sunday’s action though.

The battle over third place in the championship is very hotly contested, only 10 points separating West Midlands duo Jack Parker (Wolverhampton) and Miles Rudman (Sutton Coldfield), with fellow race winner Sean Smith (High Wycombe) less than 100 points further adrift.

Sixth placed Paul Simmons (Lingfield), who claimed his first ever outright Legends Cars victory at Donington Park in July, is well within touch too and Will Gibson (Camberley), a two-time race winner this season, is also in the mix.

Another driver to watch at Pembrey will be the rapidly improving Marcus Pett (Boston), who achieved his maiden win last time out at Snetterton 300 Circuit in Norfolk. Currently tied on points with eighth placed Neil Shenton (Middlewich), who isn’t set to compete at Pembrey, Pett could certainly make inroads towards the championship top six.

Completing the top 10 in the standings is Legends Cars mainstay Nathan Anthony (Horley), driver of the only ‘van’ in Legends Cars racing. Seeking a podium return, and a first ever victory at the wheel of his Se-Van, should he climb the rostrum at Pembrey it would be a massively popular result.

Leading ‘Rookie’ class competitor Sy Harraway (Weston-super-Mare) and Mike Schlup (Cuckfield) are next up in the championship and will be determined to put together a solid weekend, while the likes of Matt Pape (Ilkley) could well put the cat among the pigeons at the sharp-end after taking his first win of a part-campaign last time out at Snetterton.

“Everyone is absolutely delighted to be back at Pembrey after a year away, it’s a fantastic track and always provides superb racing”, commented Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres owner Phil Cooper, “It’s obviously a key point of the season for the title battle, and so I’m sure we’re set for a great fight between John and Steve.

“There are so many drivers capable of winning races though in this championship, and young Marcus Pett obviously joined that list at Snetterton a few weeks ago, so we really are expecting a wonderful weekend of Legends Cars action and a memorable return to South Wales.”

Qualifying for day one of the Pembrey weekend will take place at 09.30 on Saturday, 13th October, with Heat One scheduled to begin at 11.55, Heat Two set to start at 14.15 and the Final following at 15.45. On Sunday, 14th October, qualifying starts at 09.00, Heat One is timetabled for 11.30, Heat Two will begin at 14.15 and the Final is set to commence at 16.20.

Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres Points:
1st John Mickel, 6480pts; 2nd Steve Whitelegg, 5920pts; 3rd Jack Parker, 5080pts;
4th Miles Rudman, 5070pts; 5th Sean Smith, 4885pts; 6th Paul Simmons, 4650pts