Affordable racing with hot rod-style Legend Cars

How many car enthusiasts have dreamed of donning a helmet and overalls and tackling a full race weekend, from free practice to qualifying and the race itself? Unfortunately, the costs of motorsport are extremely high , not only in Formula 1 but even at its very roots, such as karting championships, which are not accessible to everyone. Yet, for those who dream of racing on the track, perhaps tackling circuits they've always seen on television, there are affordable solutions that are guaranteed to be fun. One of these is undoubtedly Legend Cars , a category of track-only cars inspired by American hot rods of the 1930s: compact, lightweight, simple, and fun to drive, they compete in a dedicated championship in Italy that tackles prestigious tracks like Monza and Mugello . To discover all the secrets of these cars, you need to travel to Castelletto di Branduzzo, in the province of Pavia, where the sole importer for Italy and Europe is located.

Legend Cars were born in the United States in 1992, when the managers of the Charlotte Motor Speedway , an oval track in North Carolina, were looking for a cheaper alternative to traditional stock cars . They discovered a special car produced by Dwarf Car Company in Arizona: a 5/8 scale reproduction of the 1935 Ford Coupé . Adapting this design to their needs, they replaced the steel body with fiberglass and added fenders to the original design, arriving at the model we still see today. Since April 1992, when the first car was born, production of these race cars has been established in Harrisburg, North Carolina, and more than 8,000 units have been built.

The secret to the Legend Cars' success lies in their simplicity. The basis is a tubular steel chassis with an integrated roll cage, which is produced in two configurations: a coupé , with a shorter cockpit, and a sedan . There are also two possible body styles for the fiberglass body, which otherwise allows for no customization other than the color and decals: the coupé, with counter-opening doors, and the sedan , with traditional opening. Overall, they are extremely compact vehicles, measuring 320 cm in length, 150 cm in width, and 120 cm in height. Aside from the colors, the cockpit is the only other aspect that can be modified: the shape of the steering wheel and the ergonomics of certain components, from the seat to the gear lever, are customizable. The layout is extremely spartan: behind the small steering wheel is a digital dashboard display that provides basic information such as gear position, engine rpm, and speed, while the only other indicator is the temperature. On the side are the ignition switches, while the sequential gearbox controls can be on the steering wheel or via a lever located to the right of the driver.

The engine is of motorcycle origin: the current models feature the reliable liquid-cooled CP3 derived from the Yamaha MT-09 . It is a three-cylinder 847 cc in the pre-2024 version and 890 cc in the updated one, which in both cases delivers a power output of around 138-144 hp measured on the bench. They may not seem like a lot, but when compared to the extremely low weight, they give an idea of the true performance of these vehicles: just 470 kg . The additional power compared to the standard unit, equipped with 118 hp, comes mainly from modifications to the ECU, exhausts and intake cams. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes just five seconds and the top speed has been measured at 211 km/h on the long straights of Monza and Mugello. The gearbox remains the rapid six-speed sequential one as standard, controlled via a lever to the right of the rider or with the paddles on the steering wheel. The car has rear-wheel drive and a transmission shaft from a Toyota Celica T160, the same car that provides the rear axle (cut on the right side), but with the differential removed. The Legend Cars competing in Italy are equipped with treaded Nankang road tires . The shock absorbers are not adjustable, but the preload and springs can be changed.

The Legend Car is a true, pure racing car, and you can feel it from the first approach. It's very communicative, thanks in part to the lack of power steering. The power, which may not seem high, is actually very high in relation to its weight, and this feeling is noticeable from behind the wheel. Drive is rear-wheel, but the front is precise in turn-in , and oversteer isn't prevalent unless you try to achieve it with the setup. The driving style required is that of a single-seater, and confidence comes quickly , although squeezing out those final tenths of a second requires a great deal of technique. Another plus is the gearbox, which is quick in shifting, making it even more fun.

While there are rental options for single races or seasons, Legend Cars were created to be purchased. A new model, imported directly from the United States, can be purchased for between €27,500 and €30,000 depending on specifications and accessories, including the cost of ACI homologation, which is essential for racing in the Italian championship. However, there is also a thriving used market , where models can be found for prices even lower than €20,000. As for assistance, all operations are always managed in Castelletto di Branduzzo , the headquarters of the sole importer Giuseppe Adriano Monti, who also owns the circuit. Only here can the original spare parts arrive, the only ones used to keep the car homologated.

The main series where Legend Cars race in Italy is the Italian Legend Cars Championship , which will be held in 2025 over a seven-round calendar at the tracks of Mugello, Magione, Varano de' Melegari, Monza, Vallelunga, and a double weekend at Misano. The championship features different categories based on the driver's age and skill level, with dedicated trophies for those under 18 and over 60. The entry fee is approximately 8,000 euros , plus approximately 1,000 euros per race, for a total price for the entire season of around 12,000-14,000 euros . It is also possible to rent the car for a single race, with prices ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 euros all-inclusive depending on the track. Cars can be stored directly at the Castelletto headquarters, where discounts for track activities are also available. Legend Cars can also be used in other categories outside the track: they are in fact welcomed into championships such as slalom and hill climb races .