From Legends Cars Championship Media –
| • Legends Cars Elite Cup reaches conclusion next weekend in Scotland • All-action pocket rockets back with the BTCC for six decisive races • Jack Parker leads Will Gibson and youngster Tyler Read in points • Racing from Elite Cup finale set to be screened live on ITV4 and ITVX |
Almost three months since the Legends Cars Elite Cup last stunned the crowds at a British Touring Car Championship event, the pocket rockets are ready to make their final TOCA package appearance of the season next weekend, 10th/11th August, for the eagerly awaited Elite Cup title decider. Taking place at Knockhill in Scotland, venue for the finale of the inaugural Legends Cars Elite Cup campaign last year, the 2024 instalment looks set to be every bit as spectacular as the first with more than 10 drivers mathematically able to win the coveted crown. Unlike last year’s Elite Cup, though, this time around the points scored by every driver will also count towards the overall Legends Cars Championship battle which has two additional race meetings to run after Knockhill, with visits next month to Snetterton and Oulton Park. Jack Parker (Wolverhampton) holds the advantage at the top of the Elite Cup standings as the competitors and teams prepare for the journey to Fife, some 185 points clear of last year’s overall Legends Cars Champion Will Gibson (Camberley). Both drivers have four wins apiece in the Elite Cup this year, the previous two events with the touring cars having been at Donington and Brands Hatch. Third in the points standings is the impressive Tyler Read (Weedon), a double Rookie title winner last year, and he is just 20 points behind Gibson. Only another 30 points adrift is Andy Bird (Calne), who led the Elite Cup title race following the season curtain-raiser at Donington in April, while inaugural Elite Cup Champion Connor Mills (Upminster), fifth in the points, isn’t expected at Knockhill. Oli Schlup (Cuckfield) rounds out the top six, just ahead of the No.44 Team Car which will be piloted by Jamie Moylan (Naas). The top 10 is currently completed by Luke Simmons (Lingfield) and racing brothers Robert Barrable (Dublin) and Peter Barrable (Dublin). All of the aforementioned drivers are mathematically able to win the 2024 crown, with a total of 1,200 points up for grabs at Knockhill. Whoever claims this year’s Elite Cup title will also become the first crowned Champion of the year from the BTCC package, and with thousands of racegoers expected trackside and much of the day two Legends action set to be broadcast live on ITV4 and ITVX, it’s set to be an incredible weekend. If you’re new to the phenomenon that is Legends racing, expect six short, sharp races over the course of rounds five and six of the Elite Cup – rounds nine and 10 of the overall season – with the ultimate in overtaking guaranteed lap-after-lap. Grids for the two Heats each day are drawn by ballot, not qualifying times, with the Heat Two grid the reverse of the Heat One starting order. Then, the grid for each day’s Final is determined by the points accrued by each competitor during that individual round’s pair of Heats – albeit with the highest scoring drivers starting at the back, save for any inexperienced competitors or drivers not registered for the full championship. With an expected entry of close to 30 drivers wheel-to-wheel around the unmistakable 1.3-mile Knockhill track, the Elite Cup title isn’t the only one up for grabs either – others include the Masters crown, the winner will receive the Gerard McCosh Napoleon Award, and the Rookie title. Eric Boulton (Grantham), who has a significant lead in the Rookie battle, won’t be competing at Knockhill so there is a possibility he could be pipped to the title. In the Masters class, Nick Bridgeman (Baldock) has a slim 60 point advantage over chief rival Nathan Anthony (Horley), the latter last year’s Elite Cup Masters Champion. Phil Cooper – Legends Cars Championship and Elite Cup Owner: “It’s going to be fantastic to back with the BTCC for the Legends Cars Elite Cup finale at Knockhill next weekend. This unique track always provides amazing action as everyone saw last season, we were all treated to some dramatic racing, and hopefully the title can go down to the wire once again into the final race which will be carried live on ITV4 and ITVX next Sunday. “There’s a mouthwatering battle in prospect between Jack Parker, Will Gibson, Tyler Read, Andy Bird, Oli Schlup and plenty more besides. This season, of course, it’s not only about the Elite Cup either as the points will all count to the main Championship so there is a huge amount at stake. It’s going to be as fast paced and unpredictable as ever – we can’t wait!” Qualifying practice for the Legends Cars will take place at Knockhill at 09.10 next Saturday, 10th August, with Heat One beginning at 11.40, Heat Two at 14.20 and the round nine – round five Elite Cup – Final scheduled for 17.05. On Sunday, 11th August, Heat One gets the day’s track action underway at 09.15, Heat Two follows at 12.25 and the round 10 – round six Elite Cup – Final is set for 16.30. Live coverage of the last two encounters is expected to be screened across the UK on ITV4 and through ITVX. Provisional 2024 Legends Cars Elite Cup Points (after Rd4) 1st Jack Parker, 1755pts; 2nd Will Gibson, 1570pts; 3rd Tyler Read, 1550pts; 4th Andy Bird, 1520pts; 5th Connor Mills, 1400pts; 6th Oli Schlup, 1335pts Provisional 2024 Legends Cars Championship Points (after Rd8) 1st Will Gibson, 3225pts; 2nd Jack Parker, 3200pts; 3rd Andy Bird, 2935pts 4th Oli Schlup, 2865pts; 5th Connor Mills, 2860pts; 6th Tyler Read, 2675pts |
Photo credit: George McNeill
