18 April 2013

Donington Historic Festival - 3 to 5 May 2013



Donington Park seems to be the place to be for Classic and Historic racing enthusiasts at the beginning of May.  If the press releases are accurate this year's event is reminiscent of the early Silverstone (or Coys) festivals of the 80s and 90s.  Loads of car clubs on the grass in the middle of the circuit, with plenty of stands and of course a good selection of entries for the races.

Among the airborne attractions will be the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, whilst on the track Kevin Wheatcroft will demonstrate his "replica of a 1937 Mercedes-Benz W125 Grand Prix car. This exceptional machine is the result of a long and extraordinary labour of love started by Kevin and his late father Tom, the founder of Donington Park and the Donington Park Grand Prix Collection." [press release dated 27 April].

Of course the racing looks set to be even better than last year.  In particular the combination of the Masters 70s Celebration with the nascent Motor Racing Legends Historic Touring Car Challenge will see cars such as this BMW (picture by Peter de Rousset-Hall) taking to the track. Perhaps this event will also see the return to the tracks of the works Group A MG Metro Turbo, driven by its original peddler Patrick Watts.  Sadly the Mallett Capri won't be running here due to geography!

But Touring Cars are not all that will be there.  The comprehensive programme of practice and racing commences on Friday 3:

Friday09:1009:3525qualifyingE-type Challenge
 09:4510:1530qualifyingHTCC for 1966-85 Touring Cars with 70s Celebration
 10:2510:5530qualifyingPre-63 GT
 11:0511:3025qualifyingHGPCA Nuvolari Trophy pre-1940 GP Cars
 11:4012:1030qualifyingU2TC pre-66 under two-litre Touring Cars
 12:2012:4525qualifyingHSCC Historic F2
 12:4513:4560 Lunch Break / Demonstrations
 13:4514:1025qualifyingFormula Junior
 14:2014:5030qualifyingRAC Woodcote Trophy for pre-56 sportscars
 15:0015:3030qualifying‘1000km’ for pre-72 sports-racing cars
 15:4515:5510 Demonstration Laps
 15:5516:2530raceE-type Challenge - Race 1
 16:4017:0525raceFormula Junior – Race 1
 17:2018:3575racePre-63 GT
Then:

Saturday09:1009:4030qualifyingStirling Moss Trophy for pre-61 sportscars
 09:5010:3040qualifyingGroup C sportscars
 10:4511:1530raceE-type Challenge - Race 2
 11:3012:1545raceHTCC for 1966-85 Touring Cars with 70s Celebration
 12:3012:5525raceHGPCA Nuvolari Trophy pre-1940 GP Cars - Race 1
 12:5513:5560 Lunch Break / Demonstrations
 13:5514:5560raceU2TC pre-66 under two-litre Touring Cars
 15:1015:3525raceFormula Junior - Race 2
 15:5016:0010 Demonstration Laps
 16:0017:0060raceRAC Woodcote Trophy for pre-56 sportscars
 17:1517:4025raceHSCC Historic F2 - Race 1
 17:5518:5560race‘1000km’ for pre-72 sports-racing cars
And finally:

Sunday09:1009:4030qualifyingMasters pre-66 Touring Cars
 09:5010:2030qualifyingMasters pre-66 GT Gentlemen Drivers
 10:3511:0025raceHSCC Historic F2 - Race 2
 11:1511:4530raceGroup C sportscars - Race 1
 12:0013:0060raceStirling Moss Trophy for pre-61 sportscars
 13:0014:0060 Lunch Break / Demonstrations
 14:0014:2525raceHGPCA Nuvolari Trophy pre-1940 GP Cars - Race 2
 14:4015:4060raceMasters pre-66 Touring Cars
 15:5516:0510 Demonstration Laps
 16:0516:3530raceGroup C sportscars - Race 2
 16:5018:2090raceMasters pre-66 GT Gentlemen Drivers
Entry for the weekend is a very reasonable £36.00 although different rates apply for single day tickets.  Advance bookings can be made HERE

Full details can be found at http://www.doningtonhistoric.com/

Enjoy.



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