Clark’s title glory is stuff of Legends

DANIEL Clark has proved a real driving force - by winning the 2020 Legends Cars National Championship for the first time, writes TONY HODGSON.

The 36-year-old, originally from Stocksfield but now based in Darras Hall, took the title by an impressive 20-point margin.

He was one of 10 drivers in with a mathematical chance of glory as he led the field going into the championship’s final two rounds at Pembrey in Wales and Brands Hatch in Kent.

However, both weekends were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, handing Clark the title after he had opened up his lead in the previous round of the championship at Snetterton.

Clark said: “I did not actually know we were champions at first.

“My dad rang me and said ‘well done’ as soon as he saw Brands Hatch had been cancelled. We had everything packed up and ready to go down there, then all of a sudden we had won the championship!

“I really wanted the weekend to go ahead, I was looking forward to it, but it is what it is and I am delighted we have won.

“It is a shame the championship has been shorter than planned this year but we still all battled it out over 18 races.

“We said at the start of the year we would be happy with a top-10 finish.

“However, after taking the joint lead of the championship at Donington we moved into the actual lead at Snetterton.

“When I first bought my car a lot of people said it would not be competitive - but here we are.”

Clark added: “I have absolutely loved every minute of the championship.

“The second I did the one-off meeting at Donington last year I knew I had made the right choice in coming back.

“The racing is incredible, everyone helps each other out in the paddock, it is a fantastic atmosphere and it is such good value for money.

“I don’t think we have even spent £3,000 this year across the race weekends.

“Fortunately we have not had any damage but I have paid my entries, fuel and tyres.

“OK the season has been shorter due to the pandemic, but it is still incredible value.”

Clark’s success means he follows outgoing champion Miles Rudman (Sutton Coldfield) as another firsttime Legends title winner.

Uniquely, Clark was joined on the Legends Cars grid this year by his wife Elby - and they will both be back in the championship together in 2021.

In her first season of track action, after previously competing in hill climbing, Elby made strong progress and was the first female participant in the category since Jess Gwynne in 2011.

Clark confirmed: “We definitely be back next year.

“Elby will be out there again, she has pulled in some sponsors – the will live online streaming of the racing has helped that.

“We might even run another car as well. Roll on next season!”

Track success is nothing new to Clark, however.

In 2018, as a kart racer, he won the MSA British Championship for the first time - clinching the title in style with one race to spare.

It was a case of third time lucky for Clark, who raced at the time for Redspeed driving a 250cc single-cylinder Anderson Gas Gas.

He was crowned best of British after narrowly missing out on the six-round championship’s title two years on the bounce.