1:1

Legends Cars

Legends cars in the French championship at Clermont Ferrand

For the 2005 wooden track season, the MGPMRC is racing Legends cars on a 1:32nd scale routed wooden oval course. The cars are scale models of cars competing in the Legends 600 series in the United States and Europe.

The sources for this article are Legends Cars, Legends 600 Racing America, and Legends 600 Racing Europe .

What is a Legends car?

The Legands cars are 5:8 scale, full-fendered replicas of historic American coupes and sedans that formed the basis for early dirt track racing, the NASCAR modifieds, and the classic American "hotrod." The 1937 Chevrolet Coupe... the 1940 Ford Coupe...

The only difference between each car is the fiberglass body shell. When the cars and the race series were created, the intent was to create cars that were inexpensive to race and maintain and that were equally competitive. No one can get an advantage because they can buy a better engine or better tires or a better suspension.

The Legends cars first appeared April, 1992. The car was envisioned and created by H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, President and General Manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway, and EIliott Forbes-Robinson, a road racing champion. They wanted to create a fun, safe, and affordable "spec" class that was affordable and accessible to the average person.

Racing is conducted under the banner of the Legends 600 series in both the United States and Europe. Competitors can make no major changes to the original car. There is a $4,300 engine claim rule and a tough technical inspection.

Legends Car Specs

Wheelbase: 73"
Overall Width: 60"
Overall Length: 10'6" w/ bumpers
Height: 46"
Engine: FJ1200/XJR1200/XJR1250 "Sealed" Yamaha engine
Compression Ratio: 10.0 to 1 maximum
Horsepower: 125 HP
Weight: 1,100 pound minimum car; 1,300 pounds minimum with driver
Left Side %: 52% Maximum
Rear %: 52% Maximum
Tires: 205/60R 13 BF Goodrich TA Comp HR4
Wheels (steel): Width: 7" Diameter: 13"
Suspension: Coilover Bilstein Gas shocks

The Engine and Tires Focus the Racing

The cars feature a Yamaha FJ 1,200 cc motorcycle engine turning out about 125 horsepower. Horsepower is not a big factor in the Legends Cars Series, because the rules require the use of 13-inch, 60 series BF Goodrich radial "Legends Edition" tires mounted on 7-inch wide steel wheels. The tire is made a moderately hard compound and no alterations may be made to the tires.

In test runs on both quarter-mile dirt and asphalt ovals, it was almost impossible to reach the 80% power band because of limited traction. Eliminating the need for the final 20% of the power band prevents a driver from being able to "stand on the gas" in the corners. This also works to produce a limit on cost, since spending money on an engine for more horsepower won't help because the tires can't handle the extra power. The spec series tires also have a long life (at least 30 races) lowering the cost of maintenance as much as 75% lower when compared to late model stock cars, midgets, or sprint cars.

Legends Cars are sold only through 600 Racing, Inc and its authorized dealers. Cars feature a full tubular roll cage that sits atop the frame rails. The cars use a recycled Toyota rear-end, front disc and rear drum brakes, rack and pinion steering, Carrera coil-over shock suspension on all four corners, a four-gallon fuel cell, AC Delco battery, Simpson five-point safety belts, factory manufactured racing seat, Moog Automotive suspension components, Wagner brakes, and Belden wire & cable. Both doors are operational for easy entrance and exit.

Legends Growth

600 Racing, Inc. has a 92,000 square foot manufacturing plant in North Carolina. There are more than 1,900 cars in existence and the cars are raced in 40 states, 10 foreign countries

In 1993, the Legends Racing Series was made up of more than 50 point and non-point races in seven states. In 1995, the AC Delco Legends Racing Series began, with 680 races at 150 different tracks, including events in Canada, Mexico, England and Australia. In 1996, there were over 950 races at 198 different tracks and growth has continued.

The Legends cars are not limited to dirt and asphalt ovals. The cars are legal for competition in SCCA events and have successfully campaigned on road courses.

Back to top