Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres action returns to the category’s spiritual home, Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in Kent, next weekend for rounds three and four of the season – where former champion Miles Rudman (Sutton Coldfield) will be seeking to increase his current points lead.
By the time the expected grid of no fewer than 34 cars heads out for qualifying at the 1.2-mile track next Saturday, 5th June, it will have been six weeks since the Legends Cars campaign got underway at Cadwell Park with some outstanding action
Rudman, who won the Legends Cars crown for the first time in 2019, enjoyed a sensational start to the new season in Lincolnshire with two race victories and a tally of five podiums from the six races contested there.
In total there were five different race winners across the opening event, with five-time champion John Mickel (Horsham), Jack Parker (Wolverhampton), Steve Whitelegg (Bury) and first-time victor Nick Bridgeman (Baldock) all celebrating success.
Mickel’s consistency over the course of rounds one and two means he goes into Brands Hatch second in the championship, 125 points shy of Rudman, with Sean Smith (Marlow) – making his return to action this year after a season away – completing the current championship top three.
Don’t forget, a race win in Legends Cars is worth 200 points so over a complete race meeting there are 1,200 points potentially available for any one driver. Add in the fact grids for the Heats are drawn by ballot, and the highest scoring drivers from the Heats start the Finals from the lower end of the order, and it’s easy to see how the title picture can change very, very quickly.
Fourth in the standings is Will Gibson (Camberley), who still managed to chalk-up an impressive haul of points at Cadwell despite some misfortune, with reigning Legends Cars Champion Daniel Clark (Darras Hall) fifth, just five points ahead of Marcus Pett (Boston) – another welcome returnee.
As always, the Legends are delivering quantity and quality with superb action and terrific racecraft throughout. Just a glance at the lower half of the championship top 12 tells you all you need to know as it features Parker, Whitelegg, former champ Robin Fountain (Boston), multiple Masters champion Paul Simmons (Lingfield), Se-Van racer Nathan Anthony (Horley) and Mike Schlup (Cuckfield).
Bridgeman is just outside the top 12 but after securing his maiden Legends Cars win at Cadwell in the second day’s Final, his confidence for Brands will be higher than ever. Others to look out for include Steve McGill (Bo’ness), Chris Needham (Altrincham) and Neil Shenton (Middlewich).
One of the highlights this season is the quality of the newcomers to the championship, with some tremendous talent in the Rookie class. Scott Bourne (Worthing), who won multiple titles in Pick-Up Truck Racing, leads the way currently from former Ginetta and Mini racer Charlie Budd (Henley-on-Thames) and ex-BARC Super Silhouette driver Chris Brockhurst.
Poignantly next weekend, Legends Cars National Championship organisers and competitors will be paying their respects to legendary racer Gerard McCosh who tragically passed away in February after a battle with cancer.
On Sunday, 6th June, the full 34 car grid will participate in a two-lap parade at the end of the lunchbreak ahead of the first Legends race of the afternoon. Emotionally, the parade will be led by Gerard’s No.69 car in the hands of his long-standing friend Andrew Donald. As ever, Gerard’s cuddly toy pink pig mascot, Napoleon, will be in his usual place on the rear of the car.
“We’re all looking forward to being at Brands and back racing six weeks after Cadwell, but it really is going to be such an emotional weekend as we all pay our respects and say our goodbyes to Gerard”, said Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres owner Phil Cooper, “Seeing Gerard’s car, driven by Andrew
“In terms of the racing, we had a fantastic start to the season for Miles Rudman and with five winners from six races it was just the kind of beginning we wanted. With 34 cars expected, wonderful action up and down the grid, and the return of some spectators trackside as we begin to move out of the COVID-19 lockdown, I think next weekend will be sensational.”
Qualifying ahead of round three at Brands Hatch on Saturday, 5th June, will get underway at 09.00 with Heat One following at 11.05, Heat Two at 13.45 and the Final at 16.15. On Sunday, 6th June, round four qualifying will begin at 10.00, Heat One will start at 13.00, Heat Two at 15.15 and the Final is set to commence at 17.20.
Provisional 2021 Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres Points:
1st Miles Rudman, 1090pts; 2nd John Mickel, 965pts; 3rd Sean Smith, 795pts; 4th Will Gibson, 770pts; 5th Daniel Clark, 705pts; 6th Marcus Pett, 700pts
