You really perked up my interest, then I searched for the track & found out it closed in 2016. I definitely would have spent a hundred bucks to try that out.
Poised and well spoken, Graham Smith handled himself admirably. A good ambassador for both the sport, and his company. Answered all of Jay's questions knowledgeably and tactfully.
Love Jay because he loves cars. He's not like these new youtube idiots reviewing cars for clicks and money (we all know who they are). Jay made his living in comedy, but his passion is all things cars. Truly a legend.
@@RJLightning68 auto journalists with 80% of a review on quarks and features of the interior? 🥴.... or another with, "I bought the cheapest salvage supercar in the world!!!" ya those sound like car guys. 😒
At my local track, Ona Speedway, we have drivers from age 16 to age 80. I race myself, and never would’ve been able to afford racing without Legends Cars. They are a blast to drive! Check them out somewhere near you.
When I was a young kid, I remember almost every gas station had a race car sitting on the property. Although this car is much smaller than the cars I remember, the look is similar. Wow! Back then racetracks were almost everywhere. Most are gone and forgotten. This car brought back many memories for me. Very interesting!
I remember it too ! The shop I worked at had a distributor tester and high end scope. As a result we had numerous race cars always parked outside the shop. As it was obviously good for business we gave special treatment to the cars owners. Mostly drag cars but even SCCA cars.
This is one of the greatest things Jay lenos done, and he’s done a lot for us veterans!!! For him to promote grass roots racing is so amazing! This is what the sport needs!! We need to keep our local tracks open, please google your local area for any type of racing, once you’ve find one, go there and spend as much money as you are able! It’s the best entertainment for a family for the money.
These people in these comments that don't realize how cheap this is for racing, or more accurately, how LUDICROUSLY EXPENSIVE other forms of racing are, really need to look into it. Go look up the price on a new Radical for instance...
I think Jay would LOVE to get a series together for his buddies in show business, to televise maybe during the Summer or Winter, with each competitor winning trophies and cash for chosen individual charities? Maybe he could race in or commentate a US version and a GLOBAL VERSION? I KNOW a few celebs in the UK would be REALLY up for it! (put the word out at the next Goodwood Revival, Festival of Speed or similar event and watch their little eyes light up!) Go on Jay! ...DARE YA!
Wow what a legendary Episode! ❤ You can feel the true love for cars and wrenching on a personal hobby level from jay. Much love from Germany/Europe where even smallest modifications is largely suppressed by the authorities, private wrenching vanishes by younger generations. I truly wish these smaller programs would spread more widely!
Pre Brexit I'd have said come to the UK where we can still play silly buggers with cars. Sadly the crazy xenophobes are in charge for the time being but I hope we can rejoin the civilised world soon and we can welcome visitors again. #thewarontravel
Once upon a time, 50 years ago, my friends and I thought about entering small track racing in what was called the "hobby stock" division. We discovered that even that was too expensive for 20 year-old guys. These legend cars make it closer to being affordable... _closer_ . It is still $18,000, then there is a trailer to haul it and the expense of tires and maintenance. Hoosier tires are not free. And if you get in a wreck, more money and more time. If you (or a competitor) destroys the car, kiss it all good-by. Point is, for the average working joe, it is still too expensive for just an amusement.
You would be surprised at our local circle track these little cars do really good. they are very durable being as they are made with the same rollcage tubing as full size cars. a person would have to wreck one pretty bad? to have to do more than minimal repairs for the next weekend racing? and a person could purchase a smaller utility trailer instead of a car trailer? I live in Washington State and the rules at our track allow. the racers of these little cars to run Nu Tread racing recaps. these little cars are very popular and have been for quite a few years, at our local circle track. there have been times where the car counts have been over thirty cars. which is a lot of cars on our quarter mile track.
@@musicauthority7828 There are economical compared to Formula 1 cars or any level of Nascar car. But they would be a very expensive hobby, beyond the affordability of the vast majority of people.
@@randallanderson1632 It depends on how badly you want to go racing? in the long run they are cheaper than any other class of racecar. that a person could build and maintain and continue to race. even though I may sound like I'm trying to promote them I'm not. I'm just stating facts, after all I'm too broke to race anything.
Thanks Mr. Leno for another great history lesson, I’ve seen these races. I’ve been to the track when they were running, but I never knew all the dynamics behind it. Thank you for the info.🙏🏽
I started my pro driving career with a legend car and was the first to bring them to my region of the world. I can definitely vouch for how awesome they are, some of the best bang for your buck race cars out there and a great way to take your first steps into motorsports 👏😍🔥
@@buckodonnghaile4309 yeah bro, they have a series that can get up to 35 cars at Knockhill circuit in Scotland and I introduced legends to the Middle East 8yrs ago. I'm in Canada almost every year, I need to check out the legends there when I get a chance 😍🔥 wishing you all the best bro, thanks for the comment 👊😁
I can't believe they can be made street legal. I would love to drive something like that around town. I wish this guy had also brought a street legal one along to let Jay drive it around. The more I think about it, the more I want one.
I am amazed that no one mentioned the fact that with the partially exposed tires and wheels, it is similar to open wheel racing. Not fully exposed but enough to climb tires, flipping cars over . This greatly reduces the tendency crash into each other or try to push cars out of your way. Because those Maneuvers will likely result and you yourself winding up on your top.
My gosh 10 yrs old to start..... but this fellow is quite knowledgeable on this vehicle...... watching this vid you are grinning the whole time you are watching. Mr Leno I'm sure would like to try one of these. Excellent video this week....
Jay, just wanted to say Thank you for taking such great care and preserving such great pieces of automotive history! Especially for those of us whom can't afford it, but love them just like you!
$18k isn’t a bad entry cost, but I was able to start in LeMons $7,500 first race. And I can rebuild my own engine. I appreciate spec, but sweat equity is the only way to stay truly cheap. And sealed drivetrains just wrecks that.
I just learned about the Legends Racing. I recall that in the early 50s, our Father would take us to the Tulsa Fairgrounds for the Quarter Mile Dirt Track racing on Friday night. They raced striped down cars from the 30's, mostly flat head Ford V8.
I have an Australian one of these I bought at a swap meet here in Australia. Its a brand new unpainted shell of a holden FJ. The chassis is new and painted silver. The owner wanted it painted silver so if there were any cracks in the welds you could see them. I'm going to put a motorcycle engine in it eventually but I'd love to put a turbo Honda engine in it and get it registered for the road. But time will tell what I do 😎
If a person were to build a car, from scratch, the VIN is issued by the DMV after an inspection of the vehicle. Pretty much all that is needed is lighting, seatbelts, & windshield wipers (if there is a windshield). Check out the Locost, which is still built at home, without a kit.
This reminds me of dirt track jalopy racing at the Pan American Speedway, San Antonio Texas, back in the fifties. I was just a kid. It was a huge treat to sit up in the bleachers with mom and dad. I usually got a snowcone or a Big Red. Got showered with dirt. Noisy. Great fun.
I used to road race SCCA back in the late 90s/early 00s. My car was a 1972 Datsun 240Z in ITS (Improved Touring) class. (It was a faster car than I was driver.) Most of the time, multiple race classifications would be on track at the same time - including Legends on occasion. It used to be so much fun to run with these guys! They could out accelerate me from the slow corners, but my 240Z had them covered on the top end. We would trade spots back and forth all of the time. What a blast! Great memories!
Watched from Jamaica. Fell in love with them the first time I reed aout them in auto magazines bac in the days. They even came to Jamaica and raced but I don't know why the sport never catch up in my country. Motor racing is a rich man sport in this island and I'm not rich..
My local circle track runs these awesome little rockets, I've ALWAYS wanted to give one a try. I can remember seeing them run as early as probably '95-'98 (as a 10-13-year-old). I could probably afford to get into this, I'm sure I wouldn't be competitive, but I know I'd have a hell of a bunch of fun and maybe do okay eventually. I'm 37, so my reaction time and such aren't what they were when I was a teenager, but I can drive backroads pretty well (WV is pretty and has a lot of DAMN good roads). I might just look into getting into this. I'd honestly forgotten about this series. You know you've made it in the automotive world when you've made it onto Leno's show, kinda like the comedy world back when he was at the helm of the TV show. What a cool episode, thank you! Did they ever run the V-Max motor at first, maybe? I remember them sounding a LOT gnarlier back then, but then I was a kid, and likely don't remember accurately. Also, even if they were I4s/I3s, I'm sure they were carbureted back then, which makes for a raspier, hungrier sound. Cool, COOL little racecars.
When Graham mentioned using 1200cc Yamaha engines in the beginning, the first thing that came to my mind was the VMAX engine. My buddy had a VMAX and they do sound great! I'm not sure but these kind of look like 900cc Wave Runner Engines. Which would make sense to me. Not sure. Edit, Graham stated earlier in the video that they were motorcycle engines.
If you have a local circle track, you can buy a 4 cylinder junker from the scrap yard, put in a roll cage, and pretty much start racing. Cheaper than karts even. And can move up to better classes when you are ready.
For real, run scouting events and track days maybe.. imagine you could go to the freedom factory and join a race, rent one of these, and start your career
As a Motorcycle guy, its cool to see the in-line 3cyl FZ powerplant. Tons of low end grunt w/crossplane crank layout, makes sense. But would love to see one with a flat-plane 1K cc. 4 cyl screaming at 16K 😁 Not practical for what these are intended for. But would be a fun exotic toy to own.
There are other avenues to get in cheaper than this but that takes you getting your feet dirty and finding them. Like how i started on my channel, FWD racing in 4cyl cars. Bought mine for about $1,500, fixed an issue the engine had and as you can see I had alot of fun.
I’ve always loved the concept behind the legend cars. I always have wondered why it never expanded into different body styles . Like why not . Just a really fun cool concept .
Good thing about these is theyre excellent on a road course and dirt too and can be made street legal, sadly Micro Sprints have more tracks/classes available in most places and are the same cost and a better choice for many... Adults or kids can drive them both easily. Used ones are $4000-7000 around here for either one for an entry level one. Very nice A class winning ones from either type of car with tons of parts are sub $12k too
My Cousin and a Good Friend back in the Mid Late 60's raced Go Cart's. What a Kick that was, Never made it anywhere, Probably due to the Cost's even Back then. We had a Margay Kart with a B Bomb, a King Kart with a Pirelli, and a Tec na Kart with a Comet. These things were FAST!!! The Margay also had 3 West Bends On it, Totally a MONSTER Back then. We race with Linda and Gary Emmick. Gary was something Else behind the Wheel, Rest his Sole. A Great man and Fantastic Go Karter. "LINDA" She Beat nearly everyone. Our Friend back then was Steve Johnson, He would Drive with One Hand and tune the Carburetor In and Out of the Turns to 4 Cycle the Engine going Into the Turns and then Bring it back to Screaming Right outta the Turns Never Lifting on the Throttle. He was an Unbelievable Driver and Won probably 99.9% of his Races. Literally ROOM'S FULL of Trophies at his Home in Saratoga California....
This is super cool. I’ve heard of people mentioning legend cars but have only seen late models and modified cars before at a local old dirt track. When Jay asked the price of the car ready to drive I was waiting to hear $30k plus. $18k to get into that car isn’t bad at all compared to most other racing.
They shut down parts of my countrys capital (europe) for a grand prix with many different kinds of cars, and they had races with these things too. They were easily the most exciting races out of everything, they were intense, fast paced and could actually overtake anywhere on the track basically. Super cool little kit cars.
Thanks jay for yet another fantastic look at something we normally wouldn't get to see so intimately! Motivation in every video. The real "legend" in this video is you!
I saw Legends for the first time in Charlotte in 1995 and a few years later they introduced the Bandoleros for even younger racers and smaller budgets. I got to see guys like Adam Petty, Joey Logano, and other Nascar stars cut their teeth on that 1/4 mile oval over the years while on vacation down there. Back then tickets to watch were only $5 and it was the best value in family entertainment. Every week they’d have a grudge race with 2 superstars (cup drivers, crew chiefs and others) in full size late model stock-sized cars with 2 seats and they’d have a fan guest in the passenger seat. It was always a blast! I race a 1/10 scale RC version myself (originally produced by Bolink, now RJ Speed) and the idea is the same - no modifications allowed and it’s about setup and driving.
I love my street legal 37 sedan. About 25 mpg and always smiling. Drove from Asheville to Charlotte and back....mostly back roads, but some highway. Fj1200 powered
I actually raced 1/4 midgets in the late 50's. My father raced midgets and got me involved. I moved on to go karts but ended with those. Great video, Jay.
I saw these last year racing at Donington Park here in the UK. They’re great fun! Small, quick, Manic and loud. I seriously want to have a go in one! Would also love to see Jay get to play with one properly.
Well that was something different! But Jay ist the perfect guy to fully appreciate what this series offers. The comparison to oldschool midget race cars was spot on! 😎😎🤘🤘
I’ve raced about everything possible and by far the legend car is the hardest to be fast. Anyone can drive one but to be top step you’ve really gotta be a driver.
I love this category. Above all the models that I like the most, are the 37' coupes, because they were the ones that competed in the Turismo Carretera, the most popular category in Argentina, for many years from 1937, until 3 decades later, the entry of compact cars like the Ford Falcon, the Chevrolet Nova II (nicknamed the "Chevitu") driven by Jorge Cupeiro, and the Argentinean national icon, the Ika Torino (Ika: Industrias Kaiser Argentina or Argentinian Kaiser Industry in english). The most memorable race was the legendary Buenos Aires-Caracas, also known as the Grand Prix of South America. It was held in November 1948 and consisted of 14 stages. The winner of the race, Domingo Marimon, aboard a Chevrolet Coupe. The old Coupe cars, which we call Cupecitas, are very fondly remembered in my country, so I think a legend car would be great here in Argentina. Especially if they could paint them the same as the old TC coupes. Me encanta esta categoria. Sobre todo los modelos que me gustan mas, son los coupes del 37', proque fueron los que compitieron en el Turismo Carretera, la categoria mas popular de Argentina, por muchos años desde 1937, hasta que 3 decadas despues, sucedio la entrada de los autos compactos como el Ford Falcon, el Chevrolet Nova II (Apodado el "Chevitu") piloteado por Jorge Cupeiro, y el icono nacional Argentino, el Ika Torino (Ika: Industrias Kaiser Argentina o Argentinian Kaiser Industry in english). La carrera mas recordada, fue la legendaria Buenos Aires-Caracas, conocida tambien como el Gran Premio de la America del Sur. Disputada en Noviembre de 1948, y estuvo compuesta por 14 etapas. El vencedor de la prueba, Domingo Marimon, a bordo de una Coupe Chevrolet. Los autos Coupe antiguos, a los que les llamamos Cupecitas, son autos muy recordados con mucho amor en mi pais, por lo que yo creo que una legend car estaria genial aca en Argentina. Sobre todo si las llegan a pintar iguales a las antiguas cupecitas del TC.
A company makes an RC car version of this as well that is intended to be a spec class. Most run carpet ovals, but some run dirt and road coarse as well.
One thing about Hoosiers. The tires are good..... if you can get them. INEX has a contract with them, but you can't find them unless you race one of the national races. I'm going on the second season with tired tires.
This reminds me of "One Design" Sailboat racing. We keep the cost down. Measure and weigh each boat before every major event. Try to make sure that everyone competes based on skill and not checkbook.
I drove a Legends car about 20 years ago. it was a blast! Unfortunately, life and work got in the way of the fun and had to quit. Would love to get to back into it when I retire.
my nephew raced these on dirt oval in watsonville speedway in Nor cal and it was a blast to watch these race, he's since stopped racing them and I missed watching him race dearly.
Love it. Only thing I'm down on is not being able to build your own & the seemingly short life of the engines but I guess the latter is due to the weight causing a lot more stress than they're designed for. Who know, still looks fun for a fraction of the price of "normal" racing.
These things are awesome, I remember back in the day sitting with my stepdad watching the Legend Cars from Charlotte on the old Speed channel, and we'd always get a good laugh when a really big guy would climb out of the car. 😅
I love the idea of spec racing. You get to see who has real talent and skills. I'd love to get into something like this! As Jay said, racing is just so crazy expensive typically. But this makes racing more accessible and obtainable!
It's still not cheap. They just moved from shocks that doubles in price from 100 to 220 a shock and tires for dirt are 149 a tire. It's only spec to keep the playing field at a level playing field but if you need engine work you can only take it to them to seal it.
Back in the 90's I got to see a 16 year old Dale, Jr. running on the dirt track out behind Charlotte Motor Speedway. It was exciting, especially when he tried climbing the fence in front of the grandstand.
Fantastic video, Jay asked great questions. I'd love to take one of these cars out onto a track, just for fun. I woukd setup a track and rent the cars out, probably make a fortune.
The local Legends tour used to do a couple of road races (left and right turns) at the now defunct 2nd Creek Raceway. It looked like serious fun. You can go wheel-to-wheel racing for cheaper. 24 Hours of Lemons, for start.
Seeing the 'Sprint Cars' and these racing on dirt,I couldn't decide which I wanted to do more.The I saw several 'Sprints' rolling after being clipped,I decided these looked better.I'm going to look at them much closer now.TY."Freedom Factory" in Florida has allot of open time at their track that's perfect for them."Cleetus McFarland" is the owner.They should talk,as it was a good track,and now's been renewed.
The first time I saw legends cars I could not believe how quick they were...high revving motorcycle engines...they were amazingly fast.Driving one would satisfy anyones need for racing.
I bet you can build something similar with a Kymco bike or scooter engine. Maybe base it on a Ford Pop, Austin 7, Citroen 2CV, Volkswagen Type 1 or something similar.
I started racing at age 72, in my Legend sedan. I'm the World's Oldest Rookie, having never raced anything before April 17, 2021.
Cool. Can we see you racing online?
@@leaodaestrela5250 There are videos on his channel. Not hard to find.
Set your sights right and have a ball.
Good for you! I’m 53 and I did a little racing in the last few years. Too rich for my blood though.
Good job Ron Horton hears a who
When my son turned 18, we went to Columbus Motor Speedway and took 20 hot laps around a 1/3 mile paved oval in a Legend. Best $100 I ever spent!
You really perked up my interest, then I searched for the track & found out it closed in 2016.
I definitely would have spent a hundred bucks to try that out.
In Pennsylvania there are so many Races you will Run out of Money... Probably the most professional Fun sport for the money I have found so far 👍
Poised and well spoken, Graham Smith handled himself admirably. A good ambassador for both the sport, and his company. Answered all of Jay's questions knowledgeably and tactfully.
And if Seth Rogan ever needs a stunt double, he's a lock.
Maybe theres hope for me racing yet 🤘
@@badad0166 Seth Rogan, is he related to Seth Rogen?
No, that would be Seth Rogaine.
Indeed, a great ambassador
Love Jay because he loves cars. He's not like these new youtube idiots reviewing cars for clicks and money (we all know who they are). Jay made his living in comedy, but his passion is all things cars. Truly a legend.
You do realize those people are auto journalists, right???
@@RJLightning68 no, most of those folk he talks about are anything but journalists.
@@RJLightning68 auto journalists with 80% of a review on quarks and features of the interior? 🥴.... or another with, "I bought the cheapest salvage supercar in the world!!!" ya those sound like car guys. 😒
🙄
@@RJLightning68 Oh honey! Nice try little buddy.
At my local track, Ona Speedway, we have drivers from age 16 to age 80. I race myself, and never would’ve been able to afford racing without Legends Cars. They are a blast to drive! Check them out somewhere near you.
When I was a young kid, I remember almost every gas station had a race car sitting on the property. Although this car is much smaller than the cars I remember, the look is similar. Wow! Back then racetracks were almost everywhere. Most are gone and forgotten. This car brought back many memories for me. Very interesting!
I remember it too ! The shop I worked at had a distributor tester and high end scope. As a result we had numerous race cars always parked outside the shop. As it was obviously good for business we gave special treatment to the cars owners. Mostly drag cars but even SCCA cars.
Seeing those cars for the first time... put a huge smile on my face.. They look GREAT.
It's quite literally a much smaller version of a mid 1930s coupe, very fun! I think it's based off a 1937 Chevrolet.
I hope this series of Motorsport grows wildly! What an awesome little car ❤
It’s already pretty popular around the world
@@mmonkeyman1403 it's already pretty popular in the US. Not sure what this guy is saying
This is one of the greatest things Jay lenos done, and he’s done a lot for us veterans!!! For him to promote grass roots racing is so amazing! This is what the sport needs!! We need to keep our local tracks open, please google your local area for any type of racing, once you’ve find one, go there and spend as much money as you are able! It’s the best entertainment for a family for the money.
Well said. Best dollar for dollar entertainment for the whole family there is.
Absolutely!!
Not exactly grass roots racing.
Lol, "spend as much money as you are able", let me empty my 401k ;-)
These people in these comments that don't realize how cheap this is for racing, or more accurately, how LUDICROUSLY EXPENSIVE other forms of racing are, really need to look into it. Go look up the price on a new Radical for instance...
I think Jay would LOVE to get a series together for his buddies in show business, to televise maybe during the Summer or Winter, with each competitor winning trophies and cash for chosen individual charities? Maybe he could race in or commentate a US version and a GLOBAL VERSION? I KNOW a few celebs in the UK would be REALLY up for it! (put the word out at the next Goodwood Revival, Festival of Speed or similar event and watch their little eyes light up!)
Go on Jay! ...DARE YA!
Only if there are some 10 year old veterans racing in the mix.
As a girl who is a bit of an amateur petrolhead, I love that there’s an even split of guys and girls racing! 😁
Wow what a legendary Episode! ❤
You can feel the true love for cars and wrenching on a personal hobby level from jay.
Much love from Germany/Europe where even smallest modifications is largely suppressed by the authorities, private wrenching vanishes by younger generations. I truly wish these smaller programs would spread more widely!
Pre Brexit I'd have said come to the UK where we can still play silly buggers with cars. Sadly the crazy xenophobes are in charge for the time being but I hope we can rejoin the civilised world soon and we can welcome visitors again. #thewarontravel
Once upon a time, 50 years ago, my friends and I thought about entering small track racing in what was called the "hobby stock" division. We discovered that even that was too expensive for 20 year-old guys. These legend cars make it closer to being affordable... _closer_ . It is still $18,000, then there is a trailer to haul it and the expense of tires and maintenance. Hoosier tires are not free. And if you get in a wreck, more money and more time. If you (or a competitor) destroys the car, kiss it all good-by. Point is, for the average working joe, it is still too expensive for just an amusement.
You would be surprised at our local circle track these little cars do really good. they are very durable being as they are made with the same rollcage tubing as full size cars. a person would have to wreck one pretty bad? to have to do more than minimal repairs for the next weekend racing? and a person could purchase a smaller utility trailer instead of a car trailer? I live in Washington State and the rules at our track allow. the racers of these little cars to run Nu Tread racing recaps. these little cars are very popular and have been for quite a few years, at our local circle track. there have been times where the car counts have been over thirty cars. which is a lot of cars on our quarter mile track.
@@musicauthority7828 There are economical compared to Formula 1 cars or any level of Nascar car. But they would be a very expensive hobby, beyond the affordability of the vast majority of people.
@@randallanderson1632 It depends on how badly you want to go racing? in the long run they are cheaper than any other class of racecar. that a person could build and maintain and continue to race. even though I may sound like I'm trying to promote them I'm not. I'm just stating facts, after all I'm too broke to race anything.
If you really want to go racing, things like tires and wear and tear costs don't really enter into the equation.
@@eldorado767 If you really want to go racing, sometimes it's impossible. In fact, it might be impossible _most_ of the time.
Thanks Mr. Leno for another great history lesson, I’ve seen these races. I’ve been to the track when they were running, but I never knew all the dynamics behind it. Thank you for the info.🙏🏽
GLORIFIED. GO CARTS
I started my pro driving career with a legend car and was the first to bring them to my region of the world. I can definitely vouch for how awesome they are, some of the best bang for your buck race cars out there and a great way to take your first steps into motorsports 👏😍🔥
You cant start a pro driving career in something you pay to race......
@@borismcfinnigan3430 I didn't pay a penny from my pocket
They race Legends in Scotland? That's awesome. They're pretty popular in my neck of the Canadian woods.
@@buckodonnghaile4309 yeah bro, they have a series that can get up to 35 cars at Knockhill circuit in Scotland and I introduced legends to the Middle East 8yrs ago. I'm in Canada almost every year, I need to check out the legends there when I get a chance 😍🔥 wishing you all the best bro, thanks for the comment 👊😁
@@AhmedScotland have a great day sir.
I can't believe they can be made street legal. I would love to drive something like that around town. I wish this guy had also brought a street legal one along to let Jay drive it around. The more I think about it, the more I want one.
I've seen a few that were converted to be street legal
The more i drive mine the more i want to build a second one for the street
Street legal maybe with more than a light kit . An additional reverse gear box between output shaft and coupler if you just want to back up to park.
@@oi32df the light kits aren't hard to come by or make but the reverse gear is something that would be nice to have but not really necessary.
For the street, an EV version might be better. The Hyper 9 makes similar power and much more torque.
Just about finished putting mine back together for the season this year! Excited to see how the year plays out for us.
Have fun, do well
any innovations?
I am amazed that no one mentioned the fact that with the partially exposed tires and wheels, it is similar to open wheel racing. Not fully exposed but enough to climb tires, flipping cars over . This greatly reduces the tendency crash into each other or try to push cars out of your way. Because those Maneuvers will likely result and you yourself winding up on your top.
My gosh 10 yrs old to start..... but this fellow is quite knowledgeable on this vehicle...... watching this vid you are grinning the whole time you are watching. Mr Leno I'm sure would like to try one of these. Excellent video this week....
Jay, just wanted to say Thank you for taking such great care and preserving such great pieces of automotive history! Especially for those of us whom can't afford it, but love them just like you!
$18k isn’t a bad entry cost, but I was able to start in LeMons $7,500 first race. And I can rebuild my own engine. I appreciate spec, but sweat equity is the only way to stay truly cheap. And sealed drivetrains just wrecks that.
I just learned about the Legends Racing. I recall that in the early 50s, our Father would take us to the Tulsa Fairgrounds for the Quarter Mile Dirt Track racing on Friday night. They raced striped down cars from the 30's, mostly flat head Ford V8.
I have an Australian one of these I bought at a swap meet here in Australia. Its a brand new unpainted shell of a holden FJ. The chassis is new and painted silver. The owner wanted it painted silver so if there were any cracks in the welds you could see them. I'm going to put a motorcycle engine in it eventually but I'd love to put a turbo Honda engine in it and get it registered for the road. But time will tell what I do 😎
If a person were to build a car, from scratch, the VIN is issued by the DMV after an inspection of the vehicle.
Pretty much all that is needed is lighting, seatbelts, & windshield wipers (if there is a windshield).
Check out the Locost, which is still built at home, without a kit.
This reminds me of dirt track jalopy racing at the Pan American Speedway, San Antonio Texas, back in the fifties. I was just a kid. It was a huge treat to sit up in the bleachers with mom and dad. I usually got a snowcone or a Big Red. Got showered with dirt. Noisy. Great fun.
I've seen these on TV for years, but it was awesome to hear the details! Unexpected to find it here, totally loved it.
I used to road race SCCA back in the late 90s/early 00s. My car was a 1972 Datsun 240Z in ITS (Improved Touring) class. (It was a faster car than I was driver.)
Most of the time, multiple race classifications would be on track at the same time - including Legends on occasion.
It used to be so much fun to run with these guys! They could out accelerate me from the slow corners, but my 240Z had them covered on the top end. We would trade spots back and forth all of the time. What a blast! Great memories!
Wow. This is very inspiring, reading one of the comments at age 72 and started racing now gives me an inspiration at 65 to try it.
Watched from Jamaica. Fell in love with them the first time I reed aout them in auto magazines bac in the days. They even came to Jamaica and raced but I don't know why the sport never catch up in my country. Motor racing is a rich man sport in this island and I'm not rich..
I love when the Legends cars come to our short track here in my city in Sweden. Always some carnage and they sound so good
I 'raced' these way back in rFactor virtually and pretty much fell in-love immediately, light and revvy? Recipe for fun!
I liked everything about this video. Many good comments as well.
Thanks a million Jay Leno! ❤
Me and my dad loved to watch jay leno show, especially CBN episodes. I miss it and will see if my dad would like to continue this.
He’s actually been doing it since 2012ish online, so longer than it was ever aired on tv!
@@jonkeau5155 yeah!
My local circle track runs these awesome little rockets, I've ALWAYS wanted to give one a try. I can remember seeing them run as early as probably '95-'98 (as a 10-13-year-old).
I could probably afford to get into this, I'm sure I wouldn't be competitive, but I know I'd have a hell of a bunch of fun and maybe do okay eventually. I'm 37, so my reaction time and such aren't what they were when I was a teenager, but I can drive backroads pretty well (WV is pretty and has a lot of DAMN good roads). I might just look into getting into this. I'd honestly forgotten about this series. You know you've made it in the automotive world when you've made it onto Leno's show, kinda like the comedy world back when he was at the helm of the TV show. What a cool episode, thank you!
Did they ever run the V-Max motor at first, maybe? I remember them sounding a LOT gnarlier back then, but then I was a kid, and likely don't remember accurately. Also, even if they were I4s/I3s, I'm sure they were carbureted back then, which makes for a raspier, hungrier sound. Cool, COOL little racecars.
When Graham mentioned using 1200cc Yamaha engines in the beginning, the first thing that came to my mind was the VMAX engine. My buddy had a VMAX and they do sound great! I'm not sure but these kind of look like 900cc Wave Runner Engines. Which would make sense to me. Not sure. Edit, Graham stated earlier in the video that they were motorcycle engines.
I believe the first engines were FJ-1200s.
"Hell of a lot of fun" - Mission accomplished!
If you have a local circle track, you can buy a 4 cylinder junker from the scrap yard, put in a roll cage, and pretty much start racing. Cheaper than karts even. And can move up to better classes when you are ready.
Cleetus McFarland needs to get his hands on a few dozen of these
For real, run scouting events and track days maybe.. imagine you could go to the freedom factory and join a race, rent one of these, and start your career
Check out the Aussie Race Cars series too.
Very similar, but they use 1300cc Yamaha FJR motors.
Tbh,they don't compare with how adaptable the Legends are. Race on a circuit one weekend then off to the dirt track next.
As a Motorcycle guy, its cool to see the in-line 3cyl FZ powerplant. Tons of low end grunt w/crossplane crank layout, makes sense. But would love to see one with a flat-plane 1K cc. 4 cyl screaming at 16K 😁 Not practical for what these are intended for. But would be a fun exotic toy to own.
I kinda want to see a Yamaha H2 engine in one
Man wait until you hear about Dwarf cars then
Great content and very informational. I will be driving in my first legends race in 2 weeks. Looking forward to it!
Thanks for showing this Jay! I was looking to get into the sport and this is way better then carting.
There are other avenues to get in cheaper than this but that takes you getting your feet dirty and finding them. Like how i started on my channel, FWD racing in 4cyl cars. Bought mine for about $1,500, fixed an issue the engine had and as you can see I had alot of fun.
I’ve always loved the concept behind the legend cars. I always have wondered why it never expanded into different body styles .
Like why not . Just a really fun cool concept .
Good thing about these is theyre excellent on a road course and dirt too and can be made street legal, sadly Micro Sprints have more tracks/classes available in most places and are the same cost and a better choice for many... Adults or kids can drive them both easily. Used ones are $4000-7000 around here for either one for an entry level one. Very nice A class winning ones from either type of car with tons of parts are sub $12k too
My Cousin and a Good Friend back in the Mid Late 60's raced Go Cart's. What a Kick that was, Never made it anywhere, Probably due to the Cost's even Back then. We had a Margay Kart with a B Bomb, a King Kart with a Pirelli, and a Tec na Kart with a Comet. These things were FAST!!! The Margay also had 3 West Bends On it, Totally a MONSTER Back then. We race with Linda and Gary Emmick. Gary was something Else behind the Wheel, Rest his Sole. A Great man and Fantastic Go Karter. "LINDA" She Beat nearly everyone. Our Friend back then was Steve Johnson, He would Drive with One Hand and tune the Carburetor In and Out of the Turns to 4 Cycle the Engine going Into the Turns and then Bring it back to Screaming Right outta the Turns Never Lifting on the Throttle. He was an Unbelievable Driver and Won probably 99.9% of his Races. Literally ROOM'S FULL of Trophies at his Home in Saratoga California....
This is super cool. I’ve heard of people mentioning legend cars but have only seen late models and modified cars before at a local old dirt track. When Jay asked the price of the car ready to drive I was waiting to hear $30k plus. $18k to get into that car isn’t bad at all compared to most other racing.
Joey is so informed and into these cars. He is very capable and may have talked more than Jay which is something to be said.
Thanks for this episode Jay a class of racing I had zero idea existed until this episode.
Jay, it is magic that you showcase this sport. I have looked at our South African motorsport line up and we dont seem to have them here. A real pity
Beautiful cars that makes organized racing much more available. Great to see and hear about this! Thanks for a great video.
They shut down parts of my countrys capital (europe) for a grand prix with many different kinds of cars, and they had races with these things too. They were easily the most exciting races out of everything, they were intense, fast paced and could actually overtake anywhere on the track basically. Super cool little kit cars.
Thanks jay for yet another fantastic look at something we normally wouldn't get to see so intimately! Motivation in every video. The real "legend" in this video is you!
I saw Legends for the first time in Charlotte in 1995 and a few years later they introduced the Bandoleros for even younger racers and smaller budgets. I got to see guys like Adam Petty, Joey Logano, and other Nascar stars cut their teeth on that 1/4 mile oval over the years while on vacation down there. Back then tickets to watch were only $5 and it was the best value in family entertainment. Every week they’d have a grudge race with 2 superstars (cup drivers, crew chiefs and others) in full size late model stock-sized cars with 2 seats and they’d have a fan guest in the passenger seat. It was always a blast!
I race a 1/10 scale RC version myself (originally produced by Bolink, now RJ Speed) and the idea is the same - no modifications allowed and it’s about setup and driving.
Jay definitely has a knack for asking the questions, I want to ask, too.
I wish Jay had climbed inside to show that it really is possible for we big people to get into one of these.
Sean hingorani isn’t a big guy there’s no way jay would ever fit in that seat lol
@@cannondxile3180 Jay would fit. I'm 6' 200L and don't have a problem. :)
I love my street legal 37 sedan. About 25 mpg and always smiling. Drove from Asheville to Charlotte and back....mostly back roads, but some highway. Fj1200 powered
my dad always wanted to be a racecar driver. it was his birthday the same day this was published. happy birthday.
I actually raced 1/4 midgets in the late 50's. My father raced midgets and got me involved. I moved on to go karts but ended with those. Great video, Jay.
Super excited to learn more about these! Awesome, I have always been so curious and have always adored these cars and this series!
Graham is a well spoken confident young man, who knows his product inside and out.
He knows his stuff, but somebody needs to convince him to drop the word "absolutely" from his vocabulary.
I saw these last year racing at Donington Park here in the UK. They’re great fun! Small, quick, Manic and loud. I seriously want to have a go in one! Would also love to see Jay get to play with one properly.
1990's Vancouver island race series dwarf cars . We ran a similar car with 1988 Kawi ZX 10 motor . Great times .
I would be interested in the street legal version. I'm sure it's more reliable than my Mini was.
Easier to work on too, I bet.
A motorcycle transmission does not have reverse..a problem for a street car. You also need a helmet to not die from hitting the cage bars.
Well that was something different! But Jay ist the perfect guy to fully appreciate what this series offers. The comparison to oldschool midget race cars was spot on! 😎😎🤘🤘
These things are so fun. I felt fully comfortable driving one after about five minutes only having come from 5 HP Karting and some Motocross.
I’ve raced about everything possible and by far the legend car is the hardest to be fast. Anyone can drive one but to be top step you’ve really gotta be a driver.
I love this category.
Above all the models that I like the most, are the 37' coupes, because they were the ones that competed in the Turismo Carretera, the most popular category in Argentina, for many years from 1937, until 3 decades later, the entry of compact cars like the Ford Falcon, the Chevrolet Nova II (nicknamed the "Chevitu") driven by Jorge Cupeiro, and the Argentinean national icon, the Ika Torino (Ika: Industrias Kaiser Argentina or Argentinian Kaiser Industry in english).
The most memorable race was the legendary Buenos Aires-Caracas, also known as the Grand Prix of South America. It was held in November 1948 and consisted of 14 stages. The winner of the race, Domingo Marimon, aboard a Chevrolet Coupe.
The old Coupe cars, which we call Cupecitas, are very fondly remembered in my country, so I think a legend car would be great here in Argentina. Especially if they could paint them the same as the old TC coupes.
Me encanta esta categoria.
Sobre todo los modelos que me gustan mas, son los coupes del 37', proque fueron los que compitieron en el Turismo Carretera, la categoria mas popular de Argentina, por muchos años desde 1937, hasta que 3 decadas despues, sucedio la entrada de los autos compactos como el Ford Falcon, el Chevrolet Nova II (Apodado el "Chevitu") piloteado por Jorge Cupeiro, y el icono nacional Argentino, el Ika Torino (Ika: Industrias Kaiser Argentina o Argentinian Kaiser Industry in english).
La carrera mas recordada, fue la legendaria Buenos Aires-Caracas, conocida tambien como el Gran Premio de la America del Sur. Disputada en Noviembre de 1948, y estuvo compuesta por 14 etapas. El vencedor de la prueba, Domingo Marimon, a bordo de una Coupe Chevrolet.
Los autos Coupe antiguos, a los que les llamamos Cupecitas, son autos muy recordados con mucho amor en mi pais, por lo que yo creo que una legend car estaria genial aca en Argentina. Sobre todo si las llegan a pintar iguales a las antiguas cupecitas del TC.
Jay Lenos Garage is the best show on any platform!
This is an interesting change of pace... always been secretly interesting in these rascals... Thanks for posting !!
A company makes an RC car version of this as well that is intended to be a spec class. Most run carpet ovals, but some run dirt and road coarse as well.
One thing about Hoosiers. The tires are good..... if you can get them. INEX has a contract with them, but you can't find them unless you race one of the national races. I'm going on the second season with tired tires.
His show is sooo much better using the TH-cam format! Best thing was getting off TV.
This reminds me of "One Design" Sailboat racing. We keep the cost down. Measure and weigh each boat before every major event. Try to make sure that everyone competes based on skill and not checkbook.
These US Legend cars are very cool. The race cars can get 115 mph. Amazing!
I was hoping to see Jay get in and test fit it for me (about same size)!
Great episode!
Jay, I'm so glad you did the segment on these cars! Thanks!!
I drove a Legends car about 20 years ago. it was a blast! Unfortunately, life and work got in the way of the fun and had to quit. Would love to get to back into it when I retire.
Had a friend who's dad owned a race track. I love Sprint races I would go just to see them.
Good video as usual Jay and so pleased that you look to be back to normal and still have your wonderful sense of humour.
my nephew raced these on dirt oval in watsonville speedway in Nor cal and it was a blast to watch these race, he's since stopped racing them and I missed watching him race dearly.
Love it. Only thing I'm down on is not being able to build your own & the seemingly short life of the engines but I guess the latter is due to the weight causing a lot more stress than they're designed for. Who know, still looks fun for a fraction of the price of "normal" racing.
Many/most engines built for real racing only last about a season if not much less
God they look huge until you see jay standing next to one! Super teeny; must be an awesome drive.
I was so looking forward to seeing Jay try to squeeze into the driver's seat...
These things are awesome, I remember back in the day sitting with my stepdad watching the Legend Cars from Charlotte on the old Speed channel, and we'd always get a good laugh when a really big guy would climb out of the car. 😅
I love the idea of spec racing. You get to see who has real talent and skills. I'd love to get into something like this!
As Jay said, racing is just so crazy expensive typically. But this makes racing more accessible and obtainable!
It's still not cheap. They just moved from shocks that doubles in price from 100 to 220 a shock and tires for dirt are 149 a tire. It's only spec to keep the playing field at a level playing field but if you need engine work you can only take it to them to seal it.
Back in the 90's I got to see a 16 year old Dale, Jr. running on the dirt track out behind Charlotte Motor Speedway. It was exciting, especially when he tried climbing the fence in front of the grandstand.
That's too cool! Would love to race one in the road course division!
Fantastic video, Jay asked great questions. I'd love to take one of these cars out onto a track, just for fun. I woukd setup a track and rent the cars out, probably make a fortune.
Great video. I started training to Scrutineer on these at the Australian dirt track title at Lismore Speedway. Love them!
Is Cletus watching, the freedom Factory needs a fleet of these?!?
Looks like a ton of fun. Thanks for shining your spotlight on something I never would have found on my own. 😁
Jay. as a Mercedes-Benz AMG recreational racer I think this is a good economical way to go racing.
The local Legends tour used to do a couple of road races (left and right turns) at the now defunct 2nd Creek Raceway. It looked like serious fun.
You can go wheel-to-wheel racing for cheaper. 24 Hours of Lemons, for start.
Seeing the 'Sprint Cars' and these racing on dirt,I couldn't decide which I wanted to do more.The I saw several 'Sprints' rolling after being clipped,I decided these looked better.I'm going to look at them much closer now.TY."Freedom Factory" in Florida has allot of open time at their track that's perfect for them."Cleetus McFarland" is the owner.They should talk,as it was a good track,and now's been renewed.
These things can and do shunt big time.
A Sprintcar has a big cushion up top to pad the rollovers. And in comparison a limo chassis length
The first time I saw legends cars I could not believe how quick they were...high revving motorcycle engines...they were amazingly fast.Driving one would satisfy anyones need for racing.
Never seen one before and now know so much. Great episode 🤠
This made me happy. Wish we had this in Taiwan.
I bet you can build something similar with a Kymco bike or scooter engine. Maybe base it on a Ford Pop, Austin 7, Citroen 2CV, Volkswagen Type 1 or something similar.
@@chrishenniker5944 Kymco bike 9 HP ;)
Wish you could have driven it on a track. I'd love to seen the smile on your face. Fun stuff!
Just went to the website I'm buying one in a couple months they look and sound amazing
Jay your putting this on your show I believe you just showed your legend status and there's at same time. Two birds with one story
Legend Cars are so fun to watch
All this series needs is a different body to appeal to the younger crowd! These things look like a blast!