Norfolk’s Snetterton 300 Circuit will welcome the Legends Cars Championship with allgrowth Ltd next weekend, 7th/8th October, for the hotly anticipated penultimate event of 2023 – almost four months since the series was last in action at the huge summer American Speedfest at Brands Hatch.
Since that time, of course, the vast bulk of drivers and teams from the Championship have been contesting the sister Legends Cars Elite Cup with JLM, which formed part of three British Touring Car Championship race meetings between May and August.
Will Gibson (Camberley), who leads the Legends Cars Championship with allgrowth Ltd points ahead of rounds five and six of the campaign, experienced a largely luckless Elite Cup campaign and will be more determined than ever to deliver the form shown during the first two Championship events.
Even though having only a single win to his credit so far in the current Championship season, the very first race of 2023 at Cadwell Park back in April, his consistency and pace have ensured a healthy points total. His position is better than at first glance too, with second placed Marcus Pett (Boston) unable to race after his accident at Knockhill last month in the Elite Cup.
Chief challenger to Gibson ahead of Snetterton therefore is Chris Needham (Altrincham) a former winner at the Norfolk track and always a front-running threat. Although just over 300 points adrift of the top of the standings, with 200 points for a race victory and 1,200 points in play across the whole weekend there is plenty to bid for.
So too the likes of Oli Schlup (Cuckfield), Andy Bird (Calne), Luke Simmons (Lingfield) and Ben Higgins (Abermule), all of whom are split by just 45 points in the title battle. Bird is a three-time race winner in the Championship this season, second only to Pett’s four victories, and Simmons too has tasted the winners’ champagne.
Charlie Budd (Henley-on-Thames) is next up, eighth in the standings, ahead of the No.4 Team Car entered by Mickel Motorsport. Completing the top 10 is Rookie Cup points leader, and winner of the inaugural Elite Cup Rookie title, Tyler Read (Weedon).
Just outside the top 10, and with little to separate them in terms of points and performance, are the likes of former Legends Cars Champion Rob Fountain (Boston), Nick Bridgeman (Baldock), Mark Beaty (Gosforth), Matt Knight (Shoreham-on-Sea) and Nathan Anthony (Horley) – the latter having won the Masters Cup title, the Gerard McCosh Napoleon Award, in the recent Elite Cup.
Speaking again of the three event BTCC-supporting Elite Cup, the outright Champion Connor Mills (Upminster) will undoubtedly be one to watch at Snetterton. His Championship campaign was beset by difficulties early on, meaning he is a distant 19th in the standings, but Mills is one of the quickest and most capable drivers in the series and is a race winner from earlier in the year.
Snetterton’s two rounds will also mark a return for multiple Legends Cars race winner and 2022 Gerard McCosh Napoleon Award winner Steve Whitelegg (Bury), while the trip to Norfolk will also be the racing debut for 16-year-old Harri Musselle (Buckingham). The teenager will take over the No.28 car which has been campaigned so far this year by his inimitable father Paul.
Running as part of an MSVR [MotorSport Vision Racing] event next weekend, the Legends Cars will deliver the regular six race schedule – three on Saturday, 7th October, and three on Sunday, 8th October. While a qualifying session will feature on Saturday morning, the grid for the opening Heat will be determined by ballot rather than times set. For the second Heat each day the ballot result is reversed, meaning spectacular action and sensational racing. For the Final each day, the stakes are higher still with the highest points scorers to that point lining-up at the back.
Phil Cooper – Legends Cars Championship with allgrowth Ltd Owner:
“After wrapping up the incredibly successful Elite Cup last month with the BTCC at Knockhill, it’s fantastic to be resuming the Legends Cars Championship with allgrowth Ltd season next weekend after a very big break in the calendar. I’m sure all of the drivers and teams will be refreshed and raring to go, and we’ll be set for some outstanding racing as always.
“We’re looking forward to being part of the MSVR weekend at Snetterton, and equally looking forward to welcoming Steve Whitelegg back to the grid as well as the promise of an exciting debut for young Harri Musselle. Let’s go racing!”
The weekend timetable begins with qualifying at 10.35 on Saturday, 7th October, ahead of Heat One at 12.10, Heat Two at 15.15 and the round five Final at 17.30. On Sunday, 8th October, Heat One of round six will begin at 11.10, Heat Two at 14.15 and the Final at 17.10
The Legends Cars Championship is supported by allgrowth Ltd, JLM Lubricants, Carless, Vital Equipment and MRF Tyres.
2023 Legends Cars Championship with allgrowth Ltd Points (after Rd4):
1st Will Gibson, 1760pts; 2nd Marcus Pett, 1645pts; 3rd Chris Needham, 1445pts; 4th Oli Schlup, 1350pts; 5th Andy Bird, 1350pts; 6th Luke Simmons, 1325pts
