After it’s successful test race at Silverstone back in October of 2024, MRL’s GT3 Legends series enjoyed its opening rounds at Donington Park this past weekend. The series allows entries from GT3 cars homologated between 2006-2012, and raced up to their 2015 specifications. Race weekends consist of two 50-minute races, with a mandatory pitstop in each.

The series still uses a BoP system that’s similar to when the cars ran in period, albeit with a fresh ‘owner-driver’ focus to ensure close racing throughout the field. Pitstop timings differ depending on driver skill, with longer penalties applied to owners that share the car with a pro driver. Without a doubt, the system works, with just over half of the grid still on the lead lap by the end of each race.

Race 1

The Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 of Jonathan Mitchel and Scott Sport took off with a flying start, building a sizeable gap to second place in a matter of two or three laps. He remained untouchable throughout, serving his mandatory pitstop early in the window and continuing a consistent drive to the flag.

Andrew Jordan and Matt Holme weren’t far behind in the Roller Corvette C6 Z06.R GT3 however, with a gap of just under a minute to the leader come the end of the race – an impressive number given Jordan’s extended minimum pitstop time for being a pro driver. His pace was no surprise given his easy victory in the GT3 Shootout at the Goodwood 82nd Member’s Meeting a few weeks ago. Christian Albrecht rounded out the top three in his Red Bull-liveried McLaren MP4-12C GT3.

The fastest lap of the weekend was an impressive 1:27.502 set by Alex Buncombe, driving the same Team RJN Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 that he drove in period.

Race 2

Jonathan Mitchell started race 2 on pole – and that’s where he stayed. The Brit commanded the full race for what ended up an easy win – the V12 of his Aston Martin screaming through Donington’s rolling hills without challenge.

An issue early on for the Holme/Jordan combination led to their retirement, promoting Albrecht and MRL co-owner Max Lynn’s Nissan GTR up into podium spots – positions that they would hold through to the end of the race, with 38 seconds separating the top three after almost an hour of racing.

It was a strong opening weekend for the series, which is shaping up to grow bigger and better with each outing throughout the year. Next-up is the Silverstone Festival on 22-24 August – keep an eye out for coverage here on GT REPORT.

You can view our full gallery of the Donington Park round RIGHT HERE.