The Legend Car
When the affordability to drive a race car was in crisis, O. Bruton Smith and Humpy Wheeler found a solution. Since many NASCAR fans in the early 1990s owned bass boats, Smith and Wheeler set out to develop a car that was easy to operate and maintain that cost no more than the price of a brand-new bass boat and could fit in the back of a pickup truck.
With the help of Elliott Forbes-Robinson, the Legend Car was introduced at Charlotte Motor Speedway in April 1992. The Legend Car is a 5/8-scale fiberglass, full-fendered version of NASCAR modifieds driven by legendary drivers such as Fireball Roberts, Curtis Turner, Speedy Thompson, and Banjo Matthews. The concept set forth by Smith and Wheeler of creating a fun and affordable “spec” racing class had become a reality.
Since its inception, the Legend Car has raced across the Untied States and on six continents on asphalt and dirt ovals, as well as road courses! Drivers are able to begin racing a Legend Car at 10 years old with two years of approved racing experience, with anyone 12 years or older able to drive regardless of racing experience!
The Pro Division is the expert class and therefore, is the pinnacle of Legend Car racing and is treated as such. The division requires that drivers wishing to compete in the Pro division must have experience in other forms of professional motorsports or race in the Semi-Pro, Young Lions, or Masters divisions to be eligible. Approval to compete in the Pro Division will be the decision of the INEX Competition Director.
At any point when a driver reaches the age of 40 years, they are eligible to compete in the Masters Division. If the move happens after the start of the season, a driver may submit a written request to the INEX Competition Director to make a division switch from their current division. As the move to Masters is not an automatic one, a driver who turns 40 may also elect to remain in Semi-Pro or Pro until they elect to make the move. A sub-division of Masters is the Golden Masters. Included within all three Masters Division championships (Asphalt, Dirt, and Road Course), Golden Masters are drivers who are 60 years of age or older. INEX will recognize a Golden Master Champion at the end of the season for all three championships.
The Semi-Pro Division is designed for drivers who have timed out or elected to advance up from the Young Lions Division. It also serves as developmental class for drivers making their first appearance in a Legend Car who are 16 years of age or older, as no prior experience is needed to compete in the Semi-Pro Division. New racers may be required to compete in consolation, B Mains, and/or start in the rear of the field.
The youngest of Legend Car racers compete in the Young Lions Division. Eligible ages for this division are ages 10-15 as of January 1 of each season. Drivers are able to compete in the Young Lions Division for a maximum of two seasons before advancing to Semi-Pro or Pro (with approval from the INEX Competition Director). It is also at the discretion of the INEX Competition Director to allow a driver to remain in Young Lions for more than the allocated two years. Young Lion Drivers may advance into the Semi-Pro class if they turn 16 during that calendar year. This requires a written request from the Driver to the INEX Competition Director. Drivers who are 10 & 11 years of age are required to have competed in two years of documented Bandolero competition or have two years of documented racing experience in karting, quarter midgets or another form of INEX approved sanctioned racing.
Legend Car Specs
Whether the surface is dirt or asphalt, oval or road course, the Legend Car is able to provide the proper developmental skills for aspiring professional racers or an afforable way to enjoy the sport of motor racing as a hobby.
All Legend Car chassis are assembled by our team of professional fabricators in Harrisburg, North Carolina. Each full tube frame with integral roll cage is stamped with the U.S. Legend Cars International logo and given a uniqure vehicle identification number. Equipped with rack and pinion steering and coilover AFCO Racing Shocks, the Legend Car is one of the most versitile race cars in the world.
| Wheelbase | 73" |
| Width | 60" |
| Length | 10'6" |
| Height | 4'6" |
| Total Weight | 1,100 lbs |
| Harness | Five-Point Safety Harness |
The official engine for the Legend Car is the Yamaha FZ09. Following modifications by the U.S. Legend Cars Engine Shop, all engines are sealed and have 135 horsepower before installation in a new build or individually sold. A Legend Car utilizes a spooled rear gear and a six-speed transmission.
| Top Speed | 123 mph/198 kph |
| Displacement | 900 cc |
| Torque | 72 Foot Pounds |
| Compression Ratio | 11.4 to 1 |
| Fuel | Non-Ethanol 93 |
| Fuel Capacity | 4.1 Gallons |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injection with a 50 PSI Pump |
U.S. Legend Cars International uses Hoosier Racing Tires for all sanctioned events, using asphalt and dirt compounds. Rim are supplied by Aero and Bassett and measure 7" in width and 13" in diameter.
| Tires | Hoosier Racing |
| Type | Asphalt / Dirt |
| Rims | Aero / Bassett |
| Rim Width | 7" |
| Rim Diameter | 13" |