Legacy Outlaws Racing Defies the Odds at Dijon.
Dijon-Prenois · May 2026
Following a perfect weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, where the team secured pole positions, fastest laps and victories with both cars, Legacy Outlaws Racing arrived at Circuit de Dijon-Prenois carrying not only momentum but also the burden of success penalties.
With the Lola T70 MkIIIb competing in CER1 and the Lola T292 in CER2, the challenge was clear. Strong pace would once again need to overcome additional pit stop penalties and fierce competition from some of the best historic racers in Europe.
What followed was a weekend that demonstrated exactly what this team is made of.
Friday – Drama Before the Racing Had Even Started
The T292 immediately showed its pace, with Jan Magnussen setting the fastest time in practice with a 1:18.223, comfortably ahead of Stephane Nguyen's 3-litre DFV-powered Lola T282 and Emile Breittmayer's Ford Capri Zakspeed Turbo GT2.
The T70 was equally competitive. Jan was running 4th fastest during the session before Chris Ward headed out and immediately noticed something wasn't right.
Barely a lap into his run, Chris reported the engine was running on seven cylinders and wisely brought the car straight back to the paddock before any major damage could occur.
Inspection revealed a broken rocker and suddenly the team's weekend was hanging in the balance.
Fortunately, fate was on the side of the Outlaws.
A spare engine had arrived from Holland on Thursday morning thanks to the support of the David Hart Group. The engine was intended as insurance rather than something expected to be used, but it would soon become the most important piece of equipment in the paddock.
Further support came from Team Leos, who generously loaned an engine hoist, once again proving that historic motorsport remains one of the most supportive communities in racing.
With qualifying less than 24 hours away, the team got to work.
As daylight faded, the T70 sat in the paddock tent surrounded by mechanics, engineers, tools and determination. Car headlights illuminated the workspace alongside makeshift lighting. Takeaway pizzas arrived. Coffee flowed continuously.
The damaged engine was removed and the replacement installed as every member of the team played their part.
At 00:33 the final tools were finally put away.
Just six and a half hours later the crew were back at the circuit preparing for qualifying.
Saturday – Double Pole Position
If the overnight effort had taken anything out of the team, it certainly didn't show.
In CER1 qualifying, Jan Magnussen delivered a stunning lap of 1:20.860 before Chris Ward followed with a 1:21.748. Their combined average of 1:21.304 secured pole position for the Lola T70.
Their closest challenger was Armand Mille, who recorded a 1:21.716 while driving solo. Without the requirement for a driver change and carrying no success penalties, Mille was always going to be difficult to beat on race day.
The T292 continued its impressive form in CER2.
Jan set a 1:18.772 before Chris added a 1:18.996, giving the pair an average of 1:18.884 and another pole position for Legacy Outlaws Racing.
Breittmayer qualified second with a 1:19.174 average, while Nguyen completed the front-running group with a 1:19.521.
Two cars.
Two pole positions.
Once again, the pace was undeniable.
Sunday – CER1: Lola T70 MkIIIb
The drama wasn't over.
As Chris drove the T70 onto the grid, he immediately reported a significant vibration from the front tyres. The team considered changing the wheels in the pit stop and would be ready.
What followed was a masterclass.
Chris immediately pulled away from the field, establishing a 3.5-second lead on the opening lap and continuing to extend his advantage throughout the first stint.
Lap after lap the gap grew.
By the time the pit window opened, he had built an extraordinary 17.5-second lead, doing everything possible to offset the significant pit stop penalties facing the team.
The crew stood ready during the stop, prepared to change the front tyres if required. After consultation with Chief Engineer Rob Bicknell, Chris confirmed the vibration remained manageable.
The decision was made to leave the tyres alone.
The T70 completed its mandatory stop, serving a total stationary time of 2 minutes and 40 seconds compared to just 2 minutes for Armand Mille.
When Jan Magnussen rejoined, the T70 had dropped to eighth place.
The fightback began immediately.
Within three laps he had climbed to fifth.
Six laps later he was fourth.
The podium was within reach before a Full Course Yellow neutralised the race and halted his progress.
When racing resumed, only minutes remained.
Three laps.
One final opportunity.
Magnussen attacked relentlessly, climbing to second position before the chequered flag.
The T70 finished just 5.5 seconds behind Mille's winning car and four seconds clear of third-placed Max and Andrew Banks.
Considering the overnight engine change, the tyre vibration and the additional pit stop penalties, second place felt every bit as rewarding as a victory.
Sunday – CER2: Lola T292
Starting from pole position, Jan Magnussen knew the T292 faced a different challenge.
Against larger-engined rivals, outright straight-line speed would always be difficult to match around Dijon.
Despite a determined defence, the more powerful cars eventually edged ahead on the long straight and uphill sections of the circuit.
The numbers told the story.
The T292 recorded a top speed of 252.9 kph.
Its rivals were reaching speeds of up to 272 kph.
With nearly 20 kph less top speed, the team's only option was to maximise the strengths of the lightweight prototype by carrying more speed through the corners and exploiting its agility.
The strategy worked.
The pit stop and driver change were executed perfectly despite serving an additional 40 seconds of success penalties.
Chris Ward rejoined in third position and immediately settled into a strong rhythm.
With tyre performance beginning to fade during the closing stages, he managed the situation expertly, maintaining the pace required to secure the result while continuing to pressure the cars ahead.
At the flag, the T292 finished third overall and first in class.
Only 6.5 seconds separated the Outlaws from second place.
Remarkably, only the top three finishers completed the race on the lead lap, highlighting both the competitiveness of the event and the quality of the performance delivered by the team.
While Dijon favoured horsepower over agility, the T292 once again proved itself one of the standout cars in the field.
A Weekend Built on Teamwork
The results tell only part of the story.
Behind the podium finishes were mechanics working into the early hours, rival teams lending equipment and delivering critical parts and a group of people refusing to give up when the odds appeared stacked against them.
From an engine change completed at half past midnight to double pole positions and podium finishes, Dijon was another reminder of what can be achieved when talented drivers are supported by an exceptional team.
The Legacy Outlaws Racing family leaves Dijon with:
• Pole Position – T70
• Pole Position – T292
• P2 Overall – T70
• P3 Overall / P1 Class – T292
Looking Ahead
The team's next outing comes at Brands Hatch on 19th-21st June with the Lola T292 competing in the Motor Racing Legends meeting.
Attention will then turn to one of the highlights of the historic motorsport calendar, Le Mans Classic on 3rd-5th July, where the T292 will once again take on some of the finest historic sports racing cars in Europe.
The challenge continues.
And so does the fight.