Vice-Champ Will Gibson, five-time champ John Mickel head initial entry
Twenty drivers so far for Legends Cars Championship and ‘Elite Cup’
Rookie Champion Ben Higgins and No.99 ‘Team Car’ Champions return
Entries flying in for most high-profile season ever of Legends action

Legends Cars racing in the UK is all set for a sensational season of action during the eagerly-awaited 2023 campaign, as entries for both the Legends Cars Championship with MRF Tyres and the brand-new Legends Cars Elite Cup – which will support the British Touring Car Championship – flood in. 

Heading the entry for both categories are last year’s Vice-Champion Will Gibson (Camberley) and five-time former champion John Mickel (Horsham), who was third in the standings in 2022. Gibson was the winningest driver last season, with 18 victories, and along with Mickel will of course be one of the absolute favourites for glory in the main championship and the Elite Cup alongside the BTCC.

Fourth placed championship finisher from last year Marcus Pett (Boston), who was named ‘Most Improved Driver’ at last month’s Legends Cars Awards evening, will also be back after his best ever season and determined to be a regular in the fight for race wins.

Rookie Cup Champion Ben Higgins (Powys) will embark on his sophomore year with an entry into both categories as well, as will his chief challengers from last year Oli Schlup (Cuckfield) and Luke Simmons (Lingfield) – all three were absolute standout performers in their maiden seasons.
 

Schlup’s father Mike, a very familiar face in Legends Cars over many years, is also confirmed for the main championship and the Elite Cup as are race winner Nick Bridgeman (Baldock) and fellow category regular Nathan Anthony (Horley), the latter of course piloting his ever-popular Se-Van. 

Charlie Budd (Henley-on-Thames), seventh in the standings last season in his sophomore year in Legends and a real rising star, will contest both categories as will Daniel Pooley (March) with the former Grand Prix Midget National and World Champion set for his second Legends season.

James Newbery (Burgess Hill) and his trusty #2Mater car, based on the look of the Mater character from the Disney Pixar film franchise ‘Cars’, returns to compete in both championships as will former Rookie Champion Andy Bird (Calne). Matt Isherwood (Nantwich), who only raced a Legends Car for the first time in 2021, impressed last year with two excellent victories and adds to the quality.

Racing brothers Kieran Beaty (Hexham) and Mark Beaty (Gosforth), 13th and 16th in the 2022 standings respectively are back and once again providing sponsorship for Legends Cars through their business Parc Lane Cars.

In terms of early ‘Team Car’ entries, Chris Needham (Altrincham) and Gareth Sheridan (Altrincham) are confirmed to again share their 2022 title-winning No.99 car and will race in both categories in the class which is perfect for drivers with more restrictive budgets. Also returning, for their second season in Legends, are Florian Robin (Amersham) and Eduardo Gago (Windsor) sharing No.97.

In further terrific news for fans of the best big grid racing in the UK, commentary legend Richard John Neil will once again provide his expert knowledge for ITV Sport with lead commentary duties for the various support categories at the BTCC events. The new Legends Cars Elite Cup will, of course, race as part of the BTCC package at Brands Hatch, Croft and Knockhill.

Phil Cooper – Legends Cars Championship Owner:
“We’re all incredibly excited for the 2023 season and delighted to announce the first 20 drivers for the coming year’s racing. It’s great so many drivers are committing to both the 24-race Legends Cars Championship with MRF Tyres and the new Legends Cars Elite Cup which will be contested over 18 races at three of the UK’s biggest race meetings, alongside the BTCC.

“With Will [Gibson], John [Mickel] and Marcus [Pett], three of our top four from last season, all confirmed, we know the quality of action will be as spectacular as ever. As always, the strength in depth of Legends Cars racing – added to the unpredictability of the action with our fantastic and very unique format – means 2023 is going to be another incredible year.”

Rounds one and two of the Legends Cars Championship with MRF Tyres will take place at Cadwell Park in the Lincolnshire Wolds over the weekend 15th/16th April. The opening two rounds of the all-new Legends Cars Elite Cup will be contested on 6th/7th May at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in Kent, as part of the British Touring Car Championship support package.

2023 Legends Cars Championship with MRF Tyres:
Rds1&2 – Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire – 15/16 April
Rds3&4 – Brands Hatch Indy, Kent – 17/18 June
Rds5&6 – Snetterton, Norfolk – 7/8 October
Rds7&8 – Brands Hatch Indy, Kent – 4/5 November 

2023 Legends Cars Elite Cup (supporting the BTCC):
Rds1&2 – Brands Hatch Indy, Kent – 6/7 May
Rds3&4 – Croft, North Yorkshire – 29/30 July
Rds5&6 – Knockhill, Fife, Scotland – 12/13 August