| Category | Stock car racing |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Inaugural season | 1996 |
| Tire suppliers | Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company |
| Official website | http://www.allisonlegacy.com/ |
TheAllison Legacy Series is astock car racing series in the United States. It is based on 3/4 size scaled-downNASCAR Cup Series chassis utilizing aMazda B-2200 truck engine. The lower-tier series has been used as a stepping stone into higher divisions. The cars were designed in 1996 by NASCAR driverDonnie Allison's sons, Donald, Kenny, and Ronald Allison.
The series was conceived in 1996 by Donald, Kenny, and Ronald Allison, the sons of former NASCAR driverDonnie Allison.[1] The vehicles were designed to be 3/4 size stock cars.[1] Kenny Allison said that the cars were designed to be of "decent cost" and have "decent maintenance costs" yet be a class that fans can "relate to".[1] The cars began to compete regularly in 1998 with the formation of a national series.[1] The national touring series is run out of the Allison Brothers shop atSalisbury, North Carolina.[1] By 2004, eight regional touring series had formed in the United States, including the Maine Legacy Series which hadCanadian dates inQuebec andNova Scotia.[1]
The cars are typically raced onroad courses and 0.5 miles (0.80 km) or lessshort tracks.[2] Feature events are typically 50 laps or less.[2]
The series uses a tubular chassis with afiberglass body.[2] Body styles include aFord Thunderbird andChevrolet Monte Carlo.[2] The vehicle is near 60 inches (150 cm) wide, 12.5 feet (3.8 m) long, 42 inches (110 cm) high, with an 80 inches (200 cm) wheelbase.[2] The chassis is coupled with aMazdaB2200 2.2-liter engine. The chassis must weigh 1,425 pounds (646 kg) (without the driver), and it uses 7-inch-wide (18 cm)Goodyear tires.[2] As of August 2004, the vehicles were estimated to cost around $16,800 by theStock Car Racing Magazine.[1]
Racing enhancements including an aluminumradiator, adjustablefront suspension, aluminum fronthubs, a quick-change rear end, steel racing wheels, and coil over shocks and springs. An aluminum racing seat, 5-point harness, and window nets are required for safety.[2]
Drivers in the series are part-time, including children who are old enough to have jobs.[1] The series is often used as a development series byLate Model drivers.[3] Drivers who have used the Allison Legacy Series on their way to NASCAR includeTrevor Bayne,Kelly Bires,Erik Darnell,Joey Logano,David Ragan,Regan Smith, andBrian Vickers.[3]Chad McCumbee won the 2001 national championship and rookie of the year; he repeated as champion in the following season.[4]Timmy Hill won the 2009 U.S. national championship after winning ten races.[5]