US Legend Cars
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive, motorsport |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Founder | Humpy Wheeler, Elliott Forbes-Robinson |
| Headquarters | Harrisburg, North Carolina , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Humpy Wheeler (founder), Elliott Forbes-Robinson (founder), Ray Evernham (collaborator) |
| Products | Legends car racing vehicles, Bandolero cars, Dirt Modified cars |
| Parent | Speedway Motorsports |
US Legend Cars, previously known as 600 Racing Inc., is a US-based manufacturer of race cars located in Harrisburg, North Carolina. The company specializes in producing all vehicles for Legends car racing and holds the distinction of being the largest race car producer worldwide by volume.
History
US Legend Cars originated from an initiative by Charlotte Motor Speedway executives aiming to create a budget-friendly option to traditional stock car racing, emphasizing affordability in both acquisition and upkeep. The initial model was unveiled in April 1992, a project led by Charlotte Motor Speedway president Humpy Wheeler alongside former driver Elliott Forbes-Robinson. The earliest car bodies drew inspiration from stock car modified classes of the 1930s and 1940s.
The vehicle’s design took cues from Arizona’s Dwarf car racing category. Given Wheeler’s leadership role at Speedway Motorsports, the firm became a subsidiary under Speedway Motorsports. By 1993, a Legends racing series had been established in the UK, featuring competition on road circuits.
In 1998, US Legend Cars launched the Bandolero model, equipped with a 570cc Briggs & Stratton Vanguard Model 35 engine. The 2011 Dirt Modified variant, crafted with collaboration from Ray Evernham, includes a customized body and Bilstein shock absorbers to emulate midget car dynamics. East Lincoln Speedway in Stanley, North Carolina was the venue for the first dirt track series. In 2018, the engine powering the Legend cars was upgraded from a Yamaha 1250 to a Yamaha FZ-09.
Models
| Legend | Bandolero | Thunder Roadster | Dirt Modified | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 73 in (1,900 mm) | 70 in (1,800 mm) | 96 in (2,400 mm) | 74 in (1,900 mm) |
| Width | 60 in (1,500 mm) | 47 in (1,200 mm) | 61 in (1,500 mm) | 69 in (1,800 mm) |
| Length | 10.6 ft (3,200 mm) | 10.9 ft (3,300 mm) | 14.3 ft (4,400 mm) | 10.4 ft (3,200 mm) |
| Weight | 1,300 lb (589.7 kg) | 550 lb (249.5 kg) | 1,500 lb (680.4 kg) | 1,000 lb (453.6 kg) |
| Engine | 1250cc Yamaha/Yamaha FZ-09 | 570cc Briggs & Stratton | 1250cc Yamaha | 1250cc Yamaha |
| Horsepower | 132 hp | 30 hp | 200 hp | 140+ hp |
| Tires | Federal Tires 595 | INEX approved | Hoosier Racing Tire (880 Racing) | INEX approved |