Link: Results and Photos – Legends of Motorsports at Barber 2011

Legends of Motorsports, a Bobby Rahal Signature Event, was at Barber Motorsports Park this weekend to kick-off its sophomore season of competition. Over 90 cars arrived for the test day on Thursday from six different run groups and 84 of those were then entered in the three-day racing event that culminated today.

The weekend featured some of the most desirable race cars in Historic Racing such as the1963 Jaguar E-Type driven by Tom Murphy of Houston, Texas that finished fourth overall and first in its class. Also competing today was the 1971 Porsche 908/3 from the Collier Collection, driven by Roger Mandeville, which finished third in its class.

“This weekend has seen some fantastic competition” said Bobby Rahal, Series Co-Founder and 1986 Indianapolis 500 champion. “The quality and depth of the entrants has grown significantly since we started Legends Of Motorsports in 2010 and we hope by showcasing the quality of the cars entered and the professional administration of our events that our participant list continues to grow.”

Sunday’s feature races got underway at 10:10 a.m. under beautiful sunny skies at the pristine Barber Motorsports Park. The six feature races battled it out on the 2.38 mile natural terrain road course through most of the day with the final feature wrapping up around 4:30 p.m. The first featured group of the day were the 2 Liter Sports Cars/USRRC/Can-Am cars. Pole sitter Joe Blacker kept the pack at bay in his Lola T298 and ended the race where he started: position 1. On the podium with Blacker, were second place finisher Hamish Sommerville in a Lola T212 and third place finisher Roger Mandeville in a Porsche 908/3.

Featured in the second race of the day were the Historic Grand Prix cars that were led to the checkered flag by pole sitter Charles Nearburg in a Williams FW071B. Joining Nearburg on the podium was Chris Bender in his March 821 in second place and the third place finisher was Doc Bundy in a Lotus 79.

In the third feature race, the Classic Monoposto cars put on a wonderful show as they battled for the lead throughout the race. Ultimately taking the checkered flag was James King in a Brabham BT-29, with Travis Engen in a Chevron B17-B finishing second and Bob Lima rounding out the top three in his Brabham BT-21.

In the fourth feature race was the Thunder & Lightning/IMSA GT/Trans-Am group. It was a very close battle with Robert Hardison in a Ginetta G4 taking the checkered flag while Bob Leitzinger, in his Lotus 26R, was a very close second and Denny Wilson rounded out the top three in his Lotus Super 7.

Taking the fifth featured group, the Formula Libre machines, to the checkered flag was Travis Engen in his Lola T97/20. Finishing second in this group was Michael Snowdon in a GRD 272 with Jim Kelleher in a March 80A finishing third.

In the last feature race of the day were the FIA Makes/Group C/GTP/GT 2000 cars. Capturing the checkered flag in an Audi R8 LMP was Travis Engen. In second place for the group was Tom Dooley in a Porsche 962C while Steven Read rounded out the top three in a Ferrari 312PB.

Legends of Motorsports and its participants will now begin their preparations for round two of the season which will be held in Mont-Tremblant July 8-10. Event details and ticket information can be found on the Legends of Motorsports website at www.legendsofmotorsports.com.

Click here for full results and photos from the event.