Also, the following is taken from the inside back cover of the INEX 2009 RULEBOOK..........
A LEGEND IS BORN...
A Return to the Grassroots of Auto Racing
In the early 1990's, officials at Lowe's Motor Speedway (formerly Charlotte Motor Speedway) began noticing a great need all across North America. The need was very simple - an affordable race car with a unique design that required little maintenance.
Many short tracks around the country had allowed costs to escalate out of control with loose rulebooks. Car counts began to drop dramatically, and track officials estimated 30 - 40 percent of race cars in North America were not in competition because of cost. After further research, track officials noticed a consistent trend - when car costs went over the $20,000 mark, participation dwindled. Tracks featuring cars in the $10,000 to 15,000 price range with low maintenance expenses has significantly increased car counts.
As a result, in January 1992, 600 Racing Inc. was created, and began a highly-accelerated research and development program to produce a race car which was affordable, able to race on short tracks and had low maintenance costs. In April 1992, the first Legends Car was unveiled at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The concept of creating a fun and affordable ''spec'' class of racing in which anyone could participate was born.
LMS president and general manager, H.A. ''Humpy'' Wheeler, and famed road-racing champion Elliott Forbes- Robinson designed the 5/8th-scale fibreglass versions of the renowned NASCAR modifieds driven by legendary drivers such as Fireball Roberts, Buck Baker, Curtis Turner, Speedy Thompson and Banjo Matthews.
Since April 1992, the Legends Cars have become one of the fastest growing segments of modern motorsports. With drivers being classified into four divisions, Legends Car racing is perfect for anyone.
the official website for UK Oval Track Legends
OVAL TRACK
LEGENDS
support
FEATURES
added - 31st January, 2009
ONE FOR THE ROAD!
This car has been talked about on the Oval Track Legends Forum at great length!
If you have seen it on the road - you probably had to blink!
If you've never seen it - it is a road legal, taxed and tested 1937 Ford Sedan Legends Car, pictured in the pits at Buxton Raceway last summer.
.
DES CHANDLER NEWS DIARY
update 12th December, 2008
DES CHANDLER NEWS DIARY UPDATE : It was good news last month to hear that Des was able to start driving on the road again and also good to hear that he has now been appointed as a Technical Inspector to work with Barry Evans. As long as Des is feeling 100% fit and mentally better, he will be assisting with technical duties in 2009. It takes two Technical Inspectors to run that side of things but at the moment Des is still having Occupational and Speech Therapy (he still has short term memory problems).
Everyone at Oval Track Legends is pleased that Des may well be involved with the Legends organisation
again although he can never race.
update - 28th July, 2008
added 20th July, 2008
NEWS ON DES CHANDLER THIS WEEKEND CONTINUES TO BE GOOD. IT'S TEN WEEKS NOW SINCE THE ACCIDENT AT MALLORY AND HAPPILY HE IS STILL MAKING EXCELLENT PROGRESS.
added 13th July, 2008
NEWS ON DES CHANDLER CONTINUES TO BE GOOD!
HE IS STILL IMPROVING ALTHOUGH HIS SHORT TERM MEMORY IS STILL A BIT 'WOBBLY' AND HE GETS A BIT FRUSTRATED WITH IT ALL, BUT IT'S EARLY DAYS AND THE IMPROVEMENT IN HIM IS NOTHING SHORT OF STAGGERING. IT IS, OF COURSE, APPRECIATED THAT EVERYONE WANTS TO WISH HIM WELL AND MAYBE CONTACT HIM BUT PLEASE BE PATIENT, HE NEEDS TO TAKE IT EASY AND NOT GET SWAMPED BY IT ALL. THIS WEBSITE WILL KEEP YOU ALL UP TO DATE AS SOON AS NEWS COMES IN.
update - 5th July, 2008
DES CHANDLER IS GETTING BETTER ALL THE TIME!
It's very good news to hear this week that Des's recovery is improving and going according to plan. Although his short term memory (in his words) is 'crap', he is slowly but surely getting better all the time.
update - 22nd June, 2008
NEW ON DES CHANDLER IS GOOD!
The latest update came from Bob Clayfield (#66) that this week Des is very talkative and less confused. He has been able to walk a little and has been moved into a room with two other patients. His left arm was damaged in the accident six weeks ago and physiotherapy has been stepped up a little to get his left hand to actually grip. So, happily, good progress is slowly being made.
update - 8th June, 2008
GOOD NEWS - THE LATEST UPDATE ON DES CHANDLER CAME FROM BOB CLAYFIELD AT THE PRE RACE DRIVERS MEETING THAT, ON FRIDAY, DES SAID ONE OR TWO WORDS BUT ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME. THE NEWS WAS ENOUGH TO LIFT THE SPIRITS OF EVERYONE LISTENING AND NO DOUBT TO EVERYONE READING IT NOW. DES IS STILL DESCRIBED AS 'IN A COMFORTABLE CONDITION' AND MORE NEWS WILL BE POSTED JUST AS SOON AS WE HEAR ANYTHING.
EXTRA update - 3rd June, 2008 @ 23:15pm
NEWS UPDATE ON DES CHANDLER - It's good to hear news from the hospital tonight that Des is comfortable, slowly waking and making steady progress.
MORE NEWS WILL BE POSTED JUST AS SOON AS INFORMATION COMES THROUGH - STAY POSTED!
update 26th May, 2008
A STATEMENT FROM THE HOSPITAL FOR DES CHANDLER WAS READ OUT AT THE PRE-RACE DRIVERS MEETING AT NORTHAMPTON TODAY TO CONFIRM THAT DES IS COMFORTABLE AND STABLE. THANKS WERE ALSO READ OUT FROM THE FAMILY FOR EVERYONE'S GOOD WISHES AND SUPPORT THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT TIME.
update - 23rd May, 2008 @ 23.45pm
UPDATE CONCERNING DES CHANDLER. Des is still very much the same as the previous report. From the hospital tonight, his condition is described as similar to earlier in the week and, on a positive note, he is comfortable. It is, however, still very serious and it will take a long time until Des reaches a full recovery. News updates will be posted just as soon as information becomes available so please bear with us.
update - 18th May, 2008 @ 20:45pm
GOOD NEWS! UPDATE CONCERNING DES CHANDLER. News from the hospital tonight is that Des has been taken off all sedation and is now breathing for himself. He is still asleep however and will occasionally twitch! Doctors have said that he is still stable. Excellent news then! More updates just as soon as they come through.
update - 12th May, 2008 @ 10:50am
OFFICIAL NEWS UPDATE FROM INCARACE CONCERNING DES CHANDLER.
Everyone at Incarace and Oval Track Legends really appreciate you concern and messages of good will for a speedy recovery for Des. We thank you all so much!
On behalf of Incarace and Oval Track Legends we would like to say that although Des is in the Critical Care Unit he is stable. More news will be added just as soon as it becomes available, so please bear with us.
We, at Incarace and Oval Track Legends, wish to add that our thoughts are with Des and his family through what will be a difficult time ahead. We offer our continued and full support to the family and sincerely wish Des to get well soon - we are thinking of you all.
written by Peggyann Lilley
for and behalf of OVAL TRACK LEGENDS and
OFFICIALLY ISSUED BY INCARACE
update - 11th May, 2008 @ 23:00pm
INFORMATION CONCERNING DES CHANDLER. News from the hospital tonight is that Des is under heavy sedation until such time as Doctors can accertain his condition. They would like this to continue until Tuesday/Wednesday. We won't have any more information until then but will, of course, keep you informed with more news as and when it comes through.
Many of you will know that Des was involved in an accident today at Mallory Park during the Allcomers race and was air-lifted to hospital.
OVAL TRACK LEGENDS
#1 DES CHANDLER
added - 6th April, 2008
SLIDE SHOW FEATURING BOYS WITH
NEW TOYS!!!
click the left or right arrows to view photos of this years brand new cars + exclusive photos of the new Des Chandler car!
Derek Hales (#8) and Adam Marshall (#677) raced their brand new cars in Round 2 at Hednesford on the 24th March. Pictures of Des Chandler (#1) are exclusive to the website following the shake down of the '34 Ford Coupe
at a practice session at Birmingham Wheels yesterday. After 75+ laps on a dry surface, Des was more than happy with the handling and will be out to race at Round 3 this coming Sunday, 13th April at Hednesford Hills - the home of Oval Track Legends.
added - 16th January, 2008
PRESS RELEASE from INCARACE - 15th January, 2008
INCARACE UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP
Stockcar Promoter Incarace confirmed today that ownership of the company will transfer to Deane Wood, owner of Spedeworth International, on 1st March, 2008.
Incarace operates short circuit raceways in the Midlands: Birmingham Wheels, Hednesford Hills and Northampton International Raceways.
Incarace promoter Philip Bond feels it is time to retire:
'' I have enjoyed almost every minute of the job, but time moves on and it is time for me to step back a bit from the frontline of short oval promotion.
Incarace will continue as a company, with key staff such as Race Director, Paul Gerrard and Technical Director, Mick Reece staying on. This will ensure a smooth transition.
The only difference will be that the three shareholders in the company, my wife Liz, Mark and I, will no longer own the company."
After 10 years in the sport, Mark, Incarace MD, feels that it is an ideal opportunity for him to step down and pursue his other business interests.
The new owner will be Deane Wood, owner of Spedeworth International, the main promoters of short circuit racing in the South and East of the Country.
Deane will now control nine tracks across the UK and, while Incarace will continue to operate with separate offices and staff, there will be many advantages to the larger organisation.
Spedeworth/Incarace will be able to offer fantastic racing across some excellent raceways and the new Incarace Fixture List will be finalised over the next few weeks.
Philip was instrumental in the creation of the sports governing body (ORCi) and after 35 years of active promotion, he is looking forward to a more relaxing lifestyle!
"On a personal note to drivers, we would like to thank you for your efforts and the entertainment you have provided for 1000s of fans over the past years. It has been a pleasure to have known so many of you.
As we enter a new era for the sport, I believe that short circuit racing in the Midlands will continue to go from strength to strength in the years to come."
added 25th February, 2007
THE 600 RACING SHOWROOM AND FACTORY
PHOTO TOP LEFT - One of the first Legends cars to be built by the Allison Brothers has a metal body and was pictured on display in the reception area of 600 Racing by Helen Hales. PHOTO TOP RIGHT - Helen also spotted this unusual vehicle in the reception area - it's the first 80mph Golf Buggy built for Humpy Wheeler from a Legends car. PHOTO BELOW LEFT - A Legends car in the making, this shot was taken in 600 Racings factory. PHOTO BELOW RIGHT - A line up of freshly manufactured Legends plus a brand new Thunder Roadster in the foreground - thanks go to Helen Hales for sending the intersting photos. If you want more information on 600 Racing visit their website www.600racing.com
Mission Statement of the INEX-Sanctioned Racing Series
Legends Cars, Bandolero Cars and Thunder Cars are manufactured by 600 Racing Inc. and internationally sanctioned by INEX to provide a fun and affordable racing opportunity in which anyone (experienced and inexperienced) can compete. This series is an attempt to fight the high costs involved in racing, and the rules are strictly enforced to ensure fair competition and cost control. The technical inspections will be fair and consistent without prejudice toward any drivers.
added - 3rd October, 2009
The Story Behind The ARTHUR BRIGHT TROPHY
by Peggyann Lilley
Each and every year since 2002, Oval Track Legends have raced for the superb silver trophy
in memory of their fellow racer Arthur Bright, so sadly killed in a road bike accident near his
home in Whitchurch, November 2000. The trophy was funded by all the drivers registered in
2002 and the collection was spearheaded by Daniel Ruttterford, himself an OTL racer at the
time.
Now each year, we are honoured to have Angie (Arthur's widow), children Zak and Zoe and
Bryan (Angie's husband) come along to present the trophy to the winner. In the last few
years it has been Arthur's son Zak that has proudly taken over the mantle from his mum to
proudly present the trophy.
Arthur was one of the first Oval Track Legends racers back in 1997. In August 2000, Arthur
sold the Legends car with a plan to buy a new car for the next season but sadly his life was
taken in November, three months later, much to the shock of everyone involved in the formula.
In the video footage (right) you can watch Arthur in action around Hednesford in 1999, mixing
it with the likes of Trevor James, Des Chandler, Derek Hales and many, many more.
My thanks go to Angie for her assistance in writing this story, also to her and her family each year for being trackside to present the trophy. It's a highlight in the Oval Track Legends calendar and highly sought after. We would like to think it's a trophy that Arthur would be very proud of too.
OVAL TRACK LEGENDS RACING IN 1999 AT HEDNESFORD featuring ARTHUR BRIGHT
1998
National Points Champion (Inaugural)
National Champion (Inaugural)
1999
Shale Master (Inaugural)
2000
National Points Champion
2002
National Points Champion
British Champion (Inaugural)
2005
Shale Master
Triple Crown Champion
2006
Hednesford Champion
2007
Northampton Champion
Masters Division Trophy
DES CHANDLER - CHAMPIONSHIP WINS
update - 25th August, 2009
SILVERWARE AT SKEGNESS THIS SATURDAY
by Peggyann Lilley
Saturday night at Skegness will see Oval Track Legends
and BriSCA F1's racing for The Des Chandler Trophy in
their finals. It's a brand new award, put forward by Des
himself to celebrate the 40 years he raced on the short
ovals. It means something to him, to give something back
to the two main formulae he raced in for so many
successful years.
In 2008, the huge accident at Mallory Park cut short his
racing career. The car, a 1934 Ford Coupe was only 3
meetings old and set a blistering pace on that day to earn
the fastest lap. Des won many championships in Legends
and taken one of the leading roles in setting up the formula.
It all started with Oval Track Legends in 1998 for him and
the formula is proud of the fact that he will still be part of
the organisation in years to come - it wouldn't be the same
without him! So, Des wants to give something back, a way of saying thankyou for the last 40 years of enjoyment he has had. We should say thankyou Des for the 40 years of enjoyment you have given us! He is one of the greats.... he is a Legend!
