• Dramatic final weekend of Legends Cars Elite Cup in Scotland
• Horley’s Nathan Anthony claims inaugural Elite ‘Masters’ crown
• Team F4V driver also wraps-up top 10 finish in overall standings
• Eight-week break until Legends Cars Championship resumes
Knockhill Circuit in Scotland provided the venue for a memorable couple of days of racing for Team F4V over the weekend, 12th/13th August, with driver and team owner Nathan Anthony winning the inaugural Legends Cars Elite Cup with JLM ‘Masters Cup’ title.
Heavy rain, incredible action and total unpredictability were all key features of the final event of the Elite Cup campaign, and the near 500-mile journey for Nathan and the team from Horley to Fife proved hugely successful with a top 10 finish in the overall standings as well.
After claiming his maiden outright Elite Cup podium a fortnight ago at Croft in North Yorkshire, the First 4 Vans, Towergate Insurance, Blue Lizard, Blue Chip Warranty, Moove and Creative Funding Solutions backed driver was determined to continue his excellent momentum at Knockhill.
Round five on Saturday didn’t quite deliver the results Nathan wanted, but being back in Scotland for the first time in nearly a decade and racing in incredibly challenging wet weather for the majority of the day provided an exhilarating, adrenaline-filled experience.
Drawing 18th on the grid for the rain-hit opener, the Se-Van pilot produced good pace – lapping 0.2 seconds quicker than the eventual race winner – and carved his way through to a well deserved 12th place finish. Then lining up in 13th for the start of Heat Two, which was on a drier track, he spent the entire race in the thick of the pack before finishing in 14th position
More rain arrived for the round five Final, where Nathan started 19th, but the spray and difficulty with vision meant officials opted to red flag the action at the beginning of lap five. Re-starting the contest sometime later with all competitors in single file behind the Safety Car, when the racers returned to full speed Nathan splashed through to finish in 17th spot.
Knockhill was dry for the start of Sunday’s track action, round six, and for the first Heat the No.29 Team F4V entry had a major challenge in store – drawing 28th on the grid. Making steady progress over the first few laps, Nathan had worked his way through to 23rd by lap four before the race was red flagged. At the resumption he continued to race well and ultimately finished in 19th position.
For Heat Two, shown live on ITV4, Nathan lined-up a much more advantageous third on the grid and the weather took a turn. Very heavy rain fell during the British Touring Car Championship race which took place just prior, and the rain continued – albeit lighter – for the Legends.
Holding third off the line and maintaining the place until the end of lap two, he reveled in the conditions and pushed hard. With grip at an absolute premium, as the track dried to some degree it became increasingly slippery and Nathan was ultimately edged back to a still strong eighth place.
The round six Final, also live on ITV4, was dry and a big haul of points was needed to ensure the top 10 finish in the overall standings. Starting 15th on the grid, Nathan got stuck in and after managing to avoid a multi-car tangle at the hairpin on lap four he sliced into the top eight. After a Safety Car period, racing resumed on lap nine and he eventually took the flag on lap 12 in a terrific ninth place.
Nathan Anthony:
“What a weekend that was, and what a way to finish the Elite Cup! It’s been amazing racing at three of the huge BTCC events, and the reception we’ve had at Knockhill this weekend from the Scottish fans has been incredible. I’ve loved the last two days of racing, the weather was so unpredictable and the conditions were unbelievably challenging – but it’s been amazing fun!
“Winning the Masters is what we’d set out to do, and finishing in the top 10 of the main standings was a target as well so it’s been a double-success for Team F4V – I’m over the moon. It’s a long drive home to Horley for sure, but we’ve got the Masters trophy to keep us company!
With the Legends Cars Elite Cup with JLM now concluded, all attention will turn to the sister Legends Cars Championship with allgrowth Ltd which will resume for the third event of its season on 7th/8th October at Snetterton in Norfolk.
Final 2023 Legends Cars Elite Cup with JLM Standings
10th Nathan Anthony, 1080pts – Masters Cup Champion
Main image courtesy John Stewart/Flat Out Photography
