Legends car racing

Legends car racing is a style of race car, designed primarily to promote exciting racing and to keep costs down. The bodyshells are 5/8-scale replicas of American automobiles from the 1930s and 1940s, powered by a Yamaha motorcycle engine. The rule book committee for Legend car racing is called INEX, which stands for "INEX"pensive.

The cars all run to the same specification, with the only variable (in theory) being the body style. They also have a lot more power than grip, which ensures exciting racing.

History

In 1992, Lowe's Motor Speedway (formerly Charlotte Motor Speedway) officials noticed a need for lower cost racing cars with little maintenance time and cost. The first Legend car was unveiled in April 1992 at Lowe's by track President and General Manager Humpy Wheeler and road racer Elliott Forbes-Robinson. The cars were designed to be 5/8-scale cars raced in the past in the NASCAR Modified Tour. Legends Cars are produced by 600 Racing, Inc. in Harrisburg, North Carolina. They are the largest mass producer of race cars in the world. [ [http://www.600racing.com/600_racing_info/history/ 600 Racing History] , 600 racing website, Retrieved November 26 2007]

Legend car racing around the world

Although the cars originated from the USA, other countries including Canada, England and Scotland also host championships. Each November, the World finals are held in the USA.

USA

Drivers can be classified into four different divisions. The Pro Division is for the experienced drivers. The Masters Division features drivers 40 years and older. The Semi-Pro Division is the novice class, featuring the drivers that are new to the sport or have been inactive in other forms of racing for a while. Finally, there is the Young Lions Division, which is designated for drivers between the ages of 12 and 16.

Famous graduated Legends Car drivers include Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Reed Sorenson, and Kyle Busch.

UK and Ireland

Running since the late 1990s, Legends Racing UK visit tracks all over the British Isles and Ireland, and ran a 15 round championship, however they did not visit Scotland this year.

3 races are held – 2 heats and a final – at a round of the championship, the heats lasting between 7 and 12 laps depending on the circuit, with the final a few laps longer. The grid for race 1 is drawn by lots, with the reverse for Heat 2, and in the final the grid is formed by the reverse of the drivers points in the previous two races – meaning the most successful driver will start at the back. [ [http://www.legendsracinguk.com/championships.html] , Legends Racing UK race format] In each race however, all rookies start at the back of the grid.

Historically, Legends racers from the UK have performed well at the world finals, winning Semi-pro and masters divisions.

cotland

Brought to Scotland by Aly Hunter, and with only 6 cars taking to the grid in April 2000 at Knockhill, it is now the norm to find around 20 cars taking part, with 25 competing in the support races at the 2007 BTCC meeting. 2007 saw all of the races took place at Knockhill, but the series has organised “away” rounds at Croft and Anglesey in recent years. The series observes the same race format rules as the UK Legends, however the races are 8 and 10 laps long for the heats and final respectively.

Legends are available for race or track hire at Knockhill. [ [http://www.knockhill.com/vouchers/34.php] , Knockhill Legends driving experience] [ [http://www.scotlegends.co.uk/race_hire.htm] , Scottish Legends race hire]

Northern Europe

Legends Cars Baltic racing run a Baltic championship, comprising mostly of Finns and Estonians.

Central Europe

Legends have been raced in France since 2004. [ [http://www.automobilsport.com/legends-cars-gp-de-france-f1-magny-cours-daydraut-deman-boilet-bertrand-thomas-sprite-spirit---3168.html] , French website introduction/report] and have supported the French Grand Prix at Magny Cours; also in Belgium and Spain [ [http://www.legendscars.es/] ,Spanish Legends Cars 2007 calendar] .

Mexico

A Legends racing series has been announced in Mexico for 2009, consolidating a true ladder system for the NASCAR Corona Series. The series will be open for drivers 12 years and older, and is marketed as being the step before the NASCAR Mexico T4 Series.

Car specifications

*Wheelbase: convert|73.00|in|mm|abbr=on
*Overall Width: convert|60.00|in|mm|abbr=on
*Overall Length: convert|10|ft|6|in|mm|abbr=on
*Height: convert|46|in|mm|0|abbr=on
*Engine: Yamaha 1250cc (sealed)
*Horsepower: convert|122|hp|abbr=on
*Weight: convert|1300|lb|abbr=on. with driver
*Tires: 205/13R60 BF Goodrich Tires Comp TA HR4
*Wheels: Width: 7" / Diameter: 13"
*Suspension: Coil Over with Bilstein Shocks
*Frame: Full Tubeframe with Integral Rollcage
*Harness: FIA approved Five-Point

The cars have very tight specifications to ensure cars are quite similar with each other. All cars utilize the same parts, engine and tires. The only variable (in theory) is the body style.

Available body styles

*1934 Chevrolet Coupe
*1934 Ford Sedan
*1934 Ford Coupe
*1937 Chevrolet Sedan
*1937 Dodge Coupe
*1937 Ford Sedan
*1937 Ford Coupe
*1937 Chevrolet Coupe
*1937 Dodge Sedan
*1940 Ford Coupe

References

External links

* [http://www.600racing.com/ 600 Racing Inc - official Legends manufacturers]
* [http://www.legendscars.ca/ Legends Cars Canada]
* [http://www.legendsracinguk.com/ Legends Racing UK]
* [http://www.scotlegends.co.uk/legendsracehire.php Scottish Legends Cars Championship and race hire]
* [http://www.legendscarsbaltic.com/ Legends Cars Baltic Championship]