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:

Friday	09:10	09:35	25	qualifying	E-type Challenge
	09:45	10:15	30	qualifying	HTCC for 1966-85 Touring Cars with 70s Celebration
	10:25	10:55	30	qualifying	Pre-63 GT
	11:05	11:30	25	qualifying	HGPCA Nuvolari Trophy pre-1940 GP Cars
	11:40	12:10	30	qualifying	U2TC pre-66 under two-litre Touring Cars
	12:20	12:45	25	qualifying	HSCC Historic F2
	12:45	13:45	60		Lunch Break / Demonstrations
	13:45	14:10	25	qualifying	Formula Junior
	14:20	14:50	30	qualifying	RAC Woodcote Trophy for pre-56 sportscars
	15:00	15:30	30	qualifying	‘1000km’ for pre-72 sports-racing cars
	15:45	15:55	10		Demonstration Laps
	15:55	16:25	30	race	E-type Challenge - Race 1
	16:40	17:05	25	race	Formula Junior – Race 1
	17:20	18:35	75	race	Pre-63 GT

Then:

Saturday	09:10	09:40	30	qualifying	Stirling Moss Trophy for pre-61 sportscars
	09:50	10:30	40	qualifying	Group C sportscars
	10:45	11:15	30	race	E-type Challenge - Race 2
	11:30	12:15	45	race	HTCC for 1966-85 Touring Cars with 70s Celebration
	12:30	12:55	25	race	HGPCA Nuvolari Trophy pre-1940 GP Cars - Race 1
	12:55	13:55	60		Lunch Break / Demonstrations
	13:55	14:55	60	race	U2TC pre-66 under two-litre Touring Cars
	15:10	15:35	25	race	Formula Junior - Race 2
	15:50	16:00	10		Demonstration Laps
	16:00	17:00	60	race	RAC Woodcote Trophy for pre-56 sportscars
	17:15	17:40	25	race	HSCC Historic F2 - Race 1
	17:55	18:55	60	race	‘1000km’ for pre-72 sports-racing cars

And finally:

Sunday	09:10	09:40	30	qualifying	Masters pre-66 Touring Cars
	09:50	10:20	30	qualifying	Masters pre-66 GT Gentlemen Drivers
	10:35	11:00	25	race	HSCC Historic F2 - Race 2
	11:15	11:45	30	race	Group C sportscars - Race 1
	12:00	13:00	60	race	Stirling Moss Trophy for pre-61 sportscars
	13:00	14:00	60		Lunch Break / Demonstrations
	14:00	14:25	25	race	HGPCA Nuvolari Trophy pre-1940 GP Cars - Race 2
	14:40	15:40	60	race	Masters pre-66 Touring Cars
	15:55	16:05	10		Demonstration Laps
	16:05	16:35	30	race	Group C sportscars - Race 2
	16:50	18:20	90	race	Masters 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.