• Winning Triple For Schlup, Victorious Double For Needham And Another Success For Cooke At Brands GP

    Oli Schlup (Cuckfield) produced his most successful event of the 2026 Legends Cars Championship and Elite Cup season at Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit over the weekend, 2nd/3rd May, with three superb race victories very much boosting his ambitions to challenge for the coveted titles. On yet another fabulous weekend for the Legends Cars, the category running as support for the British round of the GT World Challenge Europe, Schlup took his long-awaited first victory of the year in the Saturday Final before adding two more wins in Heats One and Two on Sunday. Chris Needham (Altrincham), another of the consistent championship front-runners, added two more victories to his season tally with success in the opening race of round five on day one and also in the round six Final on Sunday. Aaron Cooke (Croxley Green), erstwhile leader of the Legends Cars Championship, was the event’s other winner in Heat Two of round five. While not claiming a race win this weekend, reigning Legends Cars Champion and Elite Cup Champion Tyler Read (Daventry) chalked up some serious points – including four podiums – to retain his lead in the Elite battle and to also leapfrog Cooke at the top of the Championship standings. Andy Bird (Calne) claimed four wins in the Masters Cup class, Peter Barrable (Dublin) took the other two, and Rookie class driver Nathan Williams (Higher Bebington) continued his marked improvement with a tremendous top four overall result in the second of Sunday’s contests. First win of 2026 for Schlup, Needham and Cooke also victorious Championship returnee Nick Bridgeman (Baldock) drew pole in the No.5 Team Car for Heat One on Saturday, but Read – from fourth on the grid – wasted little time in surging through to the lead while Needham charged from eighth to second before the end of the first lap. Although taking turns at the front, those two opened a good advantage over the rest which stood at two seconds into lap six. Schlup though, who started 16th, worked hard to rise to third and he began to close on the leaders while taking Cooke with him. Into the ninth and final lap there was nothing to split the top four and a rousing conclusion delivered Needham’s fourth victory of the campaign by a couple of tenths from Read, with Schlup third and top Masters class finisher Bird fourth, ahead of Cooke and Luke Simmons (Lingfield). Rookie class racer Williams started on Heat Two pole, but the series’ established front-runners quickly moved into contention. Schlup led into lap two from Simmons, Matt Knight (Bramber), Cooke and Marcus Pett (Boston). In similar style to how race one played out, this time Schlup and Simmons worked together to build a healthy lead but the Safety Car was needed on lap five. Eradicating their hard-earned cushion, racing resumed for one final lap with Schlup and Simmons having to fend off Cooke, Needham, Pett, Barrable and the rest. Racing fiercely, the finish could not have been closer with Cooke winning by a mere 0.022s from Schlup with Simmons 0.048s further shy. Needham was fourth from Pett and Ross Marshall (Stirling), Bird won the Masters in seventh. More of the same was expected for the day one Final, with the added spice of a slippery track due to rain. Barrable swiftly made his way to the front from fifth and remained in the lead until lap four when impressive debutant Aidan Hills (Lancing) moved by. As the series front-runners progressed through the order Hills stayed ahead, but on the sixth tour Schlup had arrived and took the lead. Having worked his way from 16th on the grid, Schlup’s first victory of 2026 was there for the taking and he managed to hold off allcomers at the dead-heat finish on lap nine – taking the flag only 0.035s clear of highest placed Masters runner Barrable in second. Hills claimed a fabulous third place from Cooke, who had major brake dramas, Needham – who started 17th – and Read. Two more wins for Schlup on Sunday, Needham back on top in finale Just like buses, Schlup’s second victory swiftly followed in Sunday’s opening contest after another well judged finish. Read and Cooke lined-up on the front row and looked to be favourites for success, but Bird made his presence felt early on and took the lead on lap two. On lap four Read went to the high line for Paddock and swooped into first with Schlup, up from 15th on the grid, taking second. Schlup wrestled away the lead later in the lap and it very quickly became a six car battle for the win, with Read and Bird once again taking turns at the front. On the eighth and final tour Schlup led the train into Clearways for the final time and his exit was perfect, managing to hold on by 0.061s at the flag from Read, Cooke, Masters class victor Bird, Needham and Simmons. Sunday’s second race began with a bang for Bridgeman, Simmons and Barrable with all three spinning into the Paddock Hill Bend gravel after contact. John Mickel (Copthorne) held the early lead from Needham and Schlup, who had been delayed after being edged onto the grass at Paddock. Needham soon moved past Mickel and Schlup went with him, the latter then taking the lead on lap three. Read had worked his way into the podium places by lap four while Needham’s challenge was impacted by serious brake problems. It became a straight fight between Schlup and Read, and it was the former who won again while Needham was happy with third ahead of the impressive Williams. Needham’s team had overcome his brake issues for the Final and he started as he meant to go on, scything through from 15th on the grid into the top five in less than a lap. At the front, Simmons led Cooke, Barrable and Marshall early doors but Needham charged and grabbed the lead on lap three. Schlup was also making stellar progress, from 17th at the start he was into the podium battle less than halfway through the encounter. Cooke moved to the lead on lap five, Schlup then took first the next time around but Needham wouldn’t be denied and he led into the penultimate tour. Ultimately winning by 0.6s, a last lap shake-up brought Read second – from P16 on the grid – and Hills a magnificent podium in third from the back, just ahead of Cooke. Schlup lost out on a busy final tour, dropping to 10th after a moment, but fifth for Barrable meant he won the Masters class. Oli Schlup – Rd5 Final, Rd6 Heat One and Rd6 Heat Two Winner: “I know being out front usually isn’t the right place to be [Rd6 Heat Two, final lap], but I got a really good exit out of the last bend and managed to hold him [Read] off. That was a really good race, we were clear from the rest of the pack, great pace – all the ‘Daves’ back at the Mickel Motorsport factory have done an amazing job. I’m really happy to have three wins from the weekend.” Chris Needham – Rd5 Heat One and R6 Final Winner: “It felt like I’ve had good pace all weekend, it’s good to get a couple more wins and more points. In the Final I was where I wanted to be, just waiting for my moment, and it worked out. Getting through the problems we’ve had with the car is the biggest gain we’ve had this weekend, we’ve had issues since Silverstone so we worked through them and in the Final the car was where I wanted it.” Aaron Cooke – Rd5 Heat Two Winner: “Everything went to plan with the win, we got the draft across the line which I was really happy about. It’s been a pretty good weekend, a decent points haul – even though we had no brakes in the [day one] Final. It’s nip and tuck in the Championship and the Elite Cup, so we need to keep this going and make the most of the support we have and deliver for our sponsors.” Legends Cars will be back at Brands Hatch, on the shorter 1.2-mile Indy Circuit, five weeks from now on 6th/7th June for rounds seven and eight of the season – forming part of the ever-popular annual American Speedfest. Provisional 2026 Legends Cars Championship Points (after Rd6) 1st Tyler Read, 2955pts; 2nd Aaron Cooke, 2905pts; 3rd Chris Needham, 2835pts; 4th Oli Schlup, 2660pts; 5th Luke Simmons, 2440pts; 6th Peter Barrable (M), 2290pts Provisional 2026 Legends Cars Championship Masters Cup Points (after Rd6) 1st Peter Barrable, 2290pts; 2nd Andy Bird, 2110pts; 3rd Nick Price, 1580pts Provisional 2026 Legends Cars Elite Cup Points (after Rd4) 1st Tyler Read, 2025pts; 2nd Aaron Cooke, 1865pts; 3rd Oli Schlup, 1840pts; 4th Chris Needham, 1730pts; 5th Luke Simmons, 1610pts; 6th Marcus Pett, 1520pts Provisional 2026 Legends Cars Elite Cup Masters Cup Points (after Rd4) 1st Peter Barrable, 1440pts; 2nd Andy Bird, 1380pts; 3rd Nick Price, 1040pts

  • Legends Cars Championship And Elite Cup Continue Apace At Brands GP

    Less than a month since the 2026 Legends Cars Championship got underway, the stars and cars of the unmistakable all-action category are already getting ready for their third race meeting of the season – an absolute highlight of the year, a welcome return to Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit. Taking place at the Kent venue this coming weekend, 2nd/3rd May, rounds five and six of the Legends Cars campaign, which also act as the third and fourth rounds of the inter-series Elite Cup, will run as a support category for the first time to the prestigious GT World Challenge Europe. Hot on the heels of a simply outstanding event at Donington Park just a week ago, where the Legends Cars raced alongside the British Touring Car Championship, there is no rest for the drivers and teams as they head straight into another of this season’s true crown jewel events. Leading the way in the overall Championship is Aaron Cooke (Croxley Green), a driver who is enjoying a sensational start to his first full season racing the 5/8 scale pocket rockets. Claiming two wins at Silverstone National Circuit on the opening weekend at the beginning of April, Cooke took another double last time out at Donington to grab the points lead from Chris Needham (Altrincham). Needham, who enjoyed a tremendous hat-trick of victories at Silverstone, had a mixed Donington weekend with car issues on day one limiting his potential. More podiums on day two, though, meant the ultra-quick racer slipped no further than third in the driver standings. Up to second in the Championship is reigning Legends Cars Champion Tyler Read (Daventry), a driver who needs no introduction after his sparkling 2025 season. Some problems at Silverstone impacted the start to his title defence, but Donington was a much better weekend as he raced to three wins. Coming into the big Brands GP event a few days from now, Read actually leads the Elite Cup – yet another title he is defending this season – thanks to his excellent outing on the BTCC package with his trio of victories and two other podiums. His Elite Cup lead, though, is a slim 15 points over Cooke, with Luke Simmons (Lingfield) third in the series standings after a very consistent visit to Donington. In all truth, Simmons has been consistent from the off in 2026 and his top four placing in the outright Championship firmly underlines that. Masters Cup class leader Peter Barrable (Dublin) is fifth in the Championship, fourth in the Elite Cup, and will certainly be one of the front-runners to watch along with the always spectacular Oli Schlup (Cuckfield), Matt Knight (Bramber) and Ross Marshall (Stirling). The latter had achieved his maiden victory in the Championship at Donington, before an unfortunate penalty cost him the success. Andy Bird (Calne) was hugely quick at Donington Park, claiming his first win of the season on day one, but a luckless accident on the second day ruled him out of the remainder of the event with major car damage. Going into Brands Hatch he is second in the main Masters Cup battle, third in the class battle within the Elite Cup behind five-time former overall Champion John Mickel (Copthorne). There are plenty of other names to watch out for including the likes of past race winner Marcus Pett (Boston), Nick Price (March), top Rookie Cup competitor Nathan Williams (Higher Bebington), Mike Schlup (Cuckfield) and Graham Butler (Rye). There is also the ‘Team Car’ battle to enjoy, a class in which a single car is shared during the course of a season by two or more drivers. The No.11 Team #2Mater car leads the way in the Championship while the No.32 Team Pooley entry heads the Team Car class in the Elite Cup. Notably, former Masters Cup Champion and outright race winner Nick Bridgeman (Baldock) will make a very welcome return to Legends Cars action just a few days from now, driving the No.5 Team Car of Mickel Motorsport. Will Gibson – Legends Cars Championship Owner: “We’re all really looking forward to being back at Brands GP for the second season in a row, it’s an amazing track and a real test of skill for the drivers. It goes without saying, to be part of the support package of the British round of the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup is massive and gives yet another major platform on which to showcase the Legends Cars. “It’s been a very busy start to the season, already heading into our third event of 2026, and after two incredible weekends at Silverstone and Donington we’re sure Brands will be every bit as exciting and spectacular. Let’s see if Aaron [Cooke] and Tyler [Read] can maintain their respective points leads, or whether the six Brands races will deliver some new or returning faces to the winners’ circle.” Provisional 2026 Legends Cars Championship Points (after Rd4) 1st Aaron Cooke, 2060pts; 2nd Tyler Read, 1965pts; 3rd Chris Needham, 1805pts; 4th Luke Simmons, 1745pts; 5th Peter Barrable (M), 1680pts; 6th Oli Schlup, 1605pts Provisional 2026 Legends Cars Championship Masters Cup Points (after Rd4) 1st Peter Barrable, 1680pts; 2nd Andy Bird, 1260pts; 3rd John Mickel, 1085pts Provisional 2026 Legends Cars Elite Cup Points (after Rd2) 1st Tyler Read, 1035pts; 2nd Aaron Cooke, 1020pts; 3rd Luke Simmons, 915pts; 4th Peter Barrable (M), 830pts; 5th Oli Schlup, 785pts; 6th Ross Marshall, 760pts Provisional 2026 Legends Cars Elite Cup Masters Cup Points (after Rd2) 1st Peter Barrable, 830pts; 2nd John Mickel, 570pts; 3rd Andy Bird, 530pts

  • Cooke Takes Legends Cars Championship Lead At Donington As Read Heads Elite Cup

    Highly impressive Legends Cars Championship racer Aaron Cooke (Croxley Green) moved to the top of the driver standings at Donington Park National Circuit over the weekend, 18th/19th April, thanks to another brilliant series of performances – including his third and fourth victories of the campaign. Running as part of the high-profile British Touring Car Championship package, with live coverage on ITV4 and ITVX, the event marked the start of this year’s Legends Cars Elite Cup as well. Reigning Champion Tyler Read (Daventry) has the early Elite Cup lead from Cooke, after taking three wins. Masters Cup racer Andy Bird (Calne) was the other outright race winner in Heat Two on Saturday, but his star weekend came to a premature conclusion when his car was heavily damaged after a big impact in the first of Sunday’s contests. Bird took all three class victories on day one while Masters points leader in the Championship and Elite Cup, Peter Barrable (Dublin), won all three on Sunday. Chris Needham (Altrincham) only just missed out adding to his wins tally for the year, taking a couple of podiums, and Oli Schlup (Cuckfield) was also close to securing his first win of 2026. Other podium finishers included Luke Simmons (Lingfield), Ross Marshall (Stirling) and Marcus Pett (Boston). Cooke, Bird and Read share the day one spoils at Donington Matt Knight (Bramber) drew pole in the grid ballot, but he was swamped at the start of race one by Simmons and John Mickel (Copthorne) into Redgate. Just behind, several cars tangled with Read ending up in the Redgate gravel – he ultimately fought back to 13th. Cooke held the lead into lap two from Mickel and Simmons, but the next time over the line Mickel was on top. Marshall took the lead prior to the appearance of the Safety Car, caused by a stranded Legend at McLeans, but post-race it was determined he had gained two places when the track was under the cautionary period. The action resumed for two more laps and Simmons made his way back to the lead, holding on to the final chicane where Marshall and Cooke each slipped past. Although taking the flag first, what would’ve been his maiden victory in the Championship and Elite Cup, Marshall was demoted to third in the amended classification with Cooke instead taking his third win of the season, Simmons was a tenth back in second. Needham was fourth from Pett and Masters winner Bird, only 0.7 seconds covering all six at the flag. Pett and Bird lined-up at the front for Heat Two and it was the latter who moved ahead, although Schlup – from fourth on the grid – was soon at the head of the pack. Bird swooped back into first the next time around and then Pett made his move on lap four to lead once again, albeit briefly as he lost out in the draft to Redgate. Bird and Schlup took further turns at the front before the last lap. Any one of seven drivers could realistically win and Read emerged from the chicane into the eighth and final tour as the leader, but into that same right-left flick for the last time Bird made his move to claim victory by just 0.075 seconds from Pett, with Read third, Cooke fourth, Schlup fifth and Barrable sixth. Needham crawled home in 18th after unfortunate engine trouble late on. Saturday’s Final began strongly for Needham, up from sixth to the lead in the blink of an eye, and Schlup went with him as they worked together to build a gap. Schlup passed on lap four after Needham went wide, and the latter again experienced woeful luck – ultimately retiring on lap eight. The battle for the lead became a triple threat duel between new leader Bird, who stormed through from 15th at the start, Schlup and Read. The reigning Champion moved ahead of Bird on lap seven, but the latter hit back into Redgate for the 10th and final time. Read sliced back through at McLeans and was able to just see off Bird by 0.2 seconds, with Schlup third, Marshall fourth and Barrable fifth. Two for Read and another for Cooke on spectacular Sunday Mickel had pole in the grid ballot for Heat One on Sunday, but Bird managed to make second on the grid count as he flew around the outside at Redgate. Mickel hit back at the end of lap two but a slight lock-up meant he lost momentum over the line and so Bird moved by. Needham, meanwhile, had made superb progress from 18th and incredibly took the lead at the end of lap four. Needham, Bird and Read – up from 19th at the start – were glued together into Redgate but Bird’s involvement came to a devastating end when his car was pitched into the barriers. Needham was shadowed by Read all the way to the chicane on the eighth and final lap, where the Champion made his move to take the win. Needham in second headed Cooke, Pett and top Masters runner Barrable. Heat Two, broadcast live on ITV4, was another Legends classic which came down to just 0.007s at the line. Read led away at the start from pole with Needham, Simmons and Cooke right behind and that quartet circulated as one for the duration. Needham moved to the front into the chicane on lap two, nothing between the lead contenders, and Cooke showed his hand into the chicane on lap five. Leading from Needham, Read and Simmons, into Hollywood both Needham and Read were able to slice back ahead of Cooke and then, on lap seven, Schlup brilliantly dived from third to the lead into Redgate on the brakes. Needham fought back to the head of the pack down Craner Curves, as the lead train increased to eight cars, and on the eighth and final lap Schlup again moved by at Redgate. This time he out-braked, just running on through the edge of the gravel trap, so Needham headed through Hollywood in front of Read, Cooke and Simmons. It all came down to the chicane, Read dived into the lead going into the turn, but Cooke pulled out on the drag to the line to take the win from Read and Needham. Simmons, Marshall and Pett completed the top six, from Barrable. Sunday’s Final began with drama when a spinner at Hollywood sent several others scattering over the grass, all thankfully OK. Mike Schlup (Cuckfield) emerged with the lead from Rookie class runner Nathan Williams (Higher Bebington), as the series front runners worked hard to rise through the order from the rear of the grid. Oli Schlup took over at the front, before Read passed on lap three. Schlup Jnr hit back on lap four and Read worked with him as they circulated nose-to-tail to try and break away. With just two laps to run, Cooke, Needham and Simmons had reeled them in. Any one of the top five could’ve won and it came down to an absolute photo finish on the line, less than a tenth covering winner Read, Oli Schlup, Cooke, Simmons and Needham – a stunning conclusion. Aaron Cooke – Rd3 Heat One and Rd4 Heat Two Winner: “It’s been a great weekend, we couldn’t have asked for much more. We knew we needed to start to put some points between me, Chris [Needham] and Tyler [Read]. Today [Sunday] was the day where we wanted to do the big time, I’ve wanted to get on the TOCA package forever, it’s felt like a lifetime to try and get here. We’ve got the win in my first ever race live on ITV4, so can’t ask much more.” Tyler Read – Rd3 Final, Rd4 Heat One and Rd4 Final Winner: “The weekend didn’t start too good for us, but it’s been upwards from there. We’ve been up here [the podium] a good few times so it’s good, good for the Championship, and overall it’s been a really good weekend. It was so close at the end [Rd4 Final) and luckily Luke Simmons gave me a helpful push across the line – so a big thank you to him for choosing me!” Andy Bird – Rd3 Heat Two Winner: “It was quite a hectic race! You don’t want to be leading on the last lap, especially round here, I led probably the most laps out of everyone I think so hopefully the win was deserved from my side. Great racing, very fraught, but we came out on top. The slipstream is so powerful in these particular cars, with this [water-cooled] engine now.” Rounds five and six of the Legends Cars Championship, which also mark the second event of the Elite Cup, will take place a fortnight from now on 2nd/3rd May at Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit. There the Legends will run as support to the UK round of the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup. Provisional 2026 Legends Cars Championship Points (after Rd4) 1st Aaron Cooke, 2060pts; 2nd Tyler Read, 1965pts; 3rd Chris Needham, 1805pts; 4th Luke Simmons, 1745pts; 5th Peter Barrable (M), 1680pts; 6th Oli Schlup, 1605pts Provisional 2026 Legends Cars Championship Masters Cup Points (after Rd4) 1st Peter Barrable, 1680pts; 2nd Andy Bird, 1260pts; 3rd John Mickel, 1085pts Provisional 2026 Legends Cars Elite Cup Points (after Rd2) 1st Tyler Read, 1035pts; 2nd Aaron Cooke, 1020pts; 3rd Luke Simmons, 915pts; 4th Peter Barrable (M), 830pts; 5th Oli Schlup, 785pts; 6th Ross Marshall, 760pts Provisional 2026 Legends Cars Elite Cup Masters Cup Points (after Rd2) 1st Peter Barrable, 830pts; 2nd John Mickel, 570pts; 3rd Andy Bird, 530pts

Latest News…

Winning Triple For Schlup, Victorious Double For Needham And Another Success For Cooke At Brands GP

May 4th, 2026|Comments Off on Winning Triple For Schlup, Victorious Double For Needham And Another Success For Cooke At Brands GP

Oli Schlup (Cuckfield) produced his most successful event of the 2026 Legends Cars Championship and Elite Cup season at Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit over the weekend, 2nd/3rd May, with three superb race victories very much boosting his ambitions to challenge for the coveted titles. On yet another fabulous weekend for the Legends Cars, the category running as support for the British round of the GT World Challenge Europe, Schlup took his long-awaited first victory of the year in the Saturday Final before adding two more wins in Heats [...]

Legends Cars Championship And Elite Cup Continue Apace At Brands GP

April 27th, 2026|Comments Off on Legends Cars Championship And Elite Cup Continue Apace At Brands GP

Less than a month since the 2026 Legends Cars Championship got underway, the stars and cars of the unmistakable all-action category are already getting ready for their third race meeting of the season – an absolute highlight of the year, a welcome return to Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit. Taking place at the Kent venue this coming weekend, 2nd/3rd May, rounds five and six of the Legends Cars campaign, which also act as the third and fourth rounds of the inter-series Elite Cup, will run as a support category [...]

Cooke Takes Legends Cars Championship Lead At Donington As Read Heads Elite Cup

April 20th, 2026|Comments Off on Cooke Takes Legends Cars Championship Lead At Donington As Read Heads Elite Cup

Highly impressive Legends Cars Championship racer Aaron Cooke (Croxley Green) moved to the top of the driver standings at Donington Park National Circuit over the weekend, 18th/19th April, thanks to another brilliant series of performances – including his third and fourth victories of the campaign. Running as part of the high-profile British Touring Car Championship package, with live coverage on ITV4 and ITVX, the event marked the start of this year’s Legends Cars Elite Cup as well. Reigning Champion Tyler Read (Daventry) has the early Elite Cup lead from [...]

Legends Cars Race Back To BTCC Package For Trip To Donington Park

April 13th, 2026|Comments Off on Legends Cars Race Back To BTCC Package For Trip To Donington Park

Hot on the heels of a barnstorming first event of the Legends Cars Championship season just a week ago at Silverstone, the pocket rockets will be back in action mere days from now when this year’s Legends Cars Elite Cup gets underway at Donington Park – running as part of the BTCC package. Rounds three and four of the Championship season, which take place on 18th/19th April, also mark the first two rounds of the annual Elite Cup which is an inter-series battle across the three largest events during [...]

Silverstone Hat-Trick And Early Legends Championship Lead For Needham

April 6th, 2026|Comments Off on Silverstone Hat-Trick And Early Legends Championship Lead For Needham

Chris Needham (Altrincham) is the early leader of the 2026 Legends Cars Championship after a fabulous couple of days at Silverstone National Circuit over Easter weekend, 4th/5th April, where he raced to three terrific wins from the six races contested. Although troubled throughout rounds one and two of the season by a recurring oil leak which mystified his team, Needham’s pace and skill was undeniable as he scorched to victories in the round one Final on Saturday, and then winning Sunday’s first Heat and the round two Final. Needham [...]

Silverstone Start This Easter Weekend For Exciting New Legends Cars Season

March 30th, 2026|Comments Off on Silverstone Start This Easter Weekend For Exciting New Legends Cars Season

More than six months since the fast and furious Legends Cars Championship concluded a superb 2025 season, the immensely popular 5/8 scale pocket rockets are back and ready to do it all again with the new season getting underway this Easter weekend, 4th/5th April, at Silverstone National. Six fantastic Legends Cars races are in store at the Northamptonshire track as part of a busy MSVR weekend, and heading the entry will be the returning and defending Champion Tyler Read (Weedon) who is looking to become only the eighth driver [...]