Legends Cars Championship (UK) Media Release –
• Donington Park GP to host start of Legends Cars season next weekend
• Star entry with reigning champs, past title holders and multiple winners
• Rounds one and two of 2025 expected to feature well over 20 cars
• New water-cooled MT09 engine part of Championship for first time
Six long months since the Legends Cars Championship last thrilled spectators during a breath-taking 2024 season finale, the brand new season is now only a week away with a packed grid of 5/8 scale racers ready to roll for rounds one and two next weekend, 29th/30th March.
As well as the beginning of a new Legends Cars campaign, the opening event of the 2025 season at Leicestershire’s Donington Park Grand Prix Circuit marks a first in the history of the championship – a support slot alongside MSVR’s GT Cup.
With champions back to defend titles, former champions looking to repeat past glories and a whole host of race winners determined to mount challenges for title success, the new season has all of the ingredients required to be absolutely sensational. Not only that, almost a dozen drivers will run the brand new water-cooled, three-cylinder MT09 engine which was tested throughout 2024.
Topping the entry is returning and back-to-back Legends Cars Champion Will Gibson (Camberley), who has a great chance to become only the second driver in the Championship’s history – after John Mickel – to win the coveted crown three times on the bounce.
Naturally, though, competition will be fierce and not least from reigning Legends Cars Elite Cup Champion and Vice-Champion in the outright Championship – just 20 points shy of Gibson – Jack Parker (Wolverhampton).
The pair will undoubtedly be favourites to make the running for the two main 2025 crowns, but young Motorsport UK Academy Team member Tyler Read (Weedon), Vice-Champion of the Elite Cup and third in the overall Championship in only his third season in Legends Cars last year, has all the tools to challenge – as he proved in 2024.
Multiple race winners and consistent front-runners Andy Bird (Calne), Oli Schlup (Cuckfield), Luke Simmons (Lingfield) and Chris Needham (Altrincham) are guaranteed to be in the mix at Donington, and all have the pace, ability and nous to be title contenders this season.
Inaugural Legends Cars Elite Cup Champion Connor Mills (Upminster), meanwhile, is back for a crack at reclaiming the title he won in 2023 and will also be intending to bid for the Championship. Even though last season was impacted by issues and incidents, his pace showed – taking a race win.
Reigning Masters Cup Champion Nick Bridgeman (Baldock) and his equivalent in last year’s Elite Cup, Peter Barrable (Dublin), both make very welcome returns and will almost certainly be battling right at the front in the overall fight as well as their class.
One of the most rapid and impressive drivers in Legends Cars last year, his first competing on the British mainland, was Jamie Moylan (Naas) and, in addition to the aforementioned Barrable, has fellow Irishman Owen Lawlor (Dublin) for company. Moylan and Lawlor, of course, formed part of POB Racing’s Team Car winning entry last season.
With competitors from pretty much all four corners of the UK and Ireland, Scottish motorsport will be represented by the quick and consistent Ross Marshall (Alloa). As a former Rookie Cup winner in the Legends Cars Championship all the way back in 2008, and a double champion in his home nation, Marshall will be looking to roll back the years.
Stephen Treherne (Islington) is another former title winner, outright Legends Cars Champion back in 2011, and will be one to keep an eye on as will former Vice-Champion Steve Whitelegg (Bury), the consistently improving Nick Price (March) and 2024’s most improved driver Ben Mahoney (Surrey).
Familiar face Mike Schlup (Cuckfield), father of young hot-shot Oli, is back for his 11th year in Legends Cars, Matt Knight (Shoreham-by-Sea) is set to continue his impressive progression and Rickie Leggatt (Worthing) is back for the first time since 2022.
Graham Butler (Rye), enters his second Legends Cars season this year while James Pendleton (Shawforth) makes a welcome debut in the category – a former soldier in the British Army, who saw six operational tours during 12 years of service to his country.
For rounds one and two of the new Legends Cars Championship, Gibson, Parker, Read, Bird, Mills, Oli Schlup, Treherne, Bridgeman, Mahoney, Whitelegg and Matt Knight (Shoreham by Sea) have all opted to participate with the new water-cooled, three-cylinder engine which makes its full debut.
Phil Cooper – Legends Cars Championship Owner:
“It’s almost time for the start of another fantastic season of Legends Cars action, we simply cannot wait. We’ve got a superb entry for Donington next weekend, which I’m confident could well deliver the best season in our history – the quality of the grid is that strong. It’s wonderful to have both of our champions back from last year, Will [Gibson] and Jack [Parker], and so many other star drivers.
“We’re also delighted to be part of the opening weekend of the GT Cup season as well, our first year with MSVR last season was fantastic and we’re sure 2025 is going to be every bit as enjoyable for our competitors and the spectators. Of course, this is our first season with a number of drivers running the new water-cooled engine as well, so we’re looking forward to that.”
Qualifying practice for the opening event of the Legends Cars season at Donington Park GP Circuit is set to begin at 09.00 on Saturday, 29th March, with Heat One provisionally getting underway at 12.35, Heat Two at 14.50 and the round one Final at 17.40. On Sunday, 30th March, Heat One of round two is scheduled for 10.10, Heat Two at 13.00 and the Final at 17.40.
Photo credits: MSVR, Lewis Steadman and George McNeill