Donington Park facts for kids
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Grand Prix Circuit (2010–present)
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| Location | Leicestershire, England |
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| Time zone | GMT (UTC+0) BST (April–October, UTC+1) |
| Coordinates | 52°49′45″N 1°22′30″W / 52.82917°N 1.37500°W |
| Capacity | 120,000 |
| FIA Grade | 2 (both layouts) |
| Owner | MotorSport Vision (2017–2038) |
| Operator | MotorSport Vision |
| Opened | 1931 (re-opened 1977) |
| Closed | 1940 |
| Construction cost | £12,000 |
| Major events | Current: World SBK (1988–2001, 2007–2009, 2011–2019, 2021–present) BTCC (1977–1979, 1981–present) British GT (1993–present) BSB (1990–2009, 2011–present) TCR UK (2018–present) Former: F1 European Grand Prix (1993) Grand Prix motorcycle racing British motorcycle Grand Prix (1987–2009) Sidecar World Championship (1987–2001, 2008, 2014–2016, 2021–2022) FIA WTCC Race of UK (2011) ELMS 6 Hours of Donington (2006, 2012) DTM (2002–2003) FIM EWC (1981–1982, 1987) FIA GT (1997–1999, 2002–2004) World Sportscar Championship (1989–1990, 1992) FIA GT1 World Championship (2012) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1986–present) | |
| Length | 4.020 km (2.498 mi) |
| Turns | 12 |
| Race lap record | 1:17.707 ( Kimiya Sato, Lola B05/52, 2013, Auto GP) |
| National Circuit with realigned Goddards Chicane (2010–present) | |
| Length | 3.149 km (1.957 mi) |
| Turns | 10 |
| Race lap record | 0:57.221 ( Marijn van Kalmthout, Benetton B197, 2011, F1) |
| National Circuit (1977–2009) | |
| Length | 3.149 km (1.957 mi) |
| Turns | 10 |
| Race lap record | 0:55.859 ( Scott Mansell, Benetton B197 Judd, 2004, EuroBOSS/F1) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1937–1939) | |
| Length | 5.029 km (3.125 mi) |
| Turns | 15 |
| Race lap record | 2:11.4 ( Bernd Rosemeyer/ Manfred von Brauchitsch, Auto Union Type C/Mercedes-Benz W125, 1937, GP) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1935–1936) | |
| Length | 4.107 km (2.552 mi) |
| Turns | 13 |
| Race lap record | 2:08.4 ( Giuseppe Farina, Maserati V8RI, 1935, GP) |
| Original Circuit (1931–1934) | |
| Length | 3.518 km (2.186 mi) |
| Turns | 13 |
| Race lap record | 2:06.0 ( Earl Howe, Bugatti Type 51, 1933, GP) |
Donington Park is a famous motorsport circuit in Leicestershire, England. It is near Castle Donington. The track is owned by MotorSport Vision, led by Jonathan Palmer. They lease the land from the Wheatcroft family until 2038.
This exciting venue can hold 120,000 people. It is also home to the popular Download Festival.
Donington Park started as a race track between World War I and World War II. It was a place where German "Silver Arrows" cars competed. During Second World War, it was used to store military vehicles. The track then fell into disrepair.
Later, a local businessman named Tom Wheatcroft bought it. He brought racing back in the 1970s. Donington Park hosted one Formula One race in 1993. It also became a favorite spot for the British round of the MotoGP championship.
In 2007, a company called Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd leased the track. They hoped to bring Formula One back. However, they faced money problems after the 2008 financial crisis. They lost the rights to both Formula 1 and MotoGP races. The track returned to the Wheatcroft family in 2009.
Under the Wheatcroft family's ownership, the track was repaired and improved. It reopened in 2010. Since then, many upgrades have been made. Donington Park now hosts top motorcycle races like the Superbike World Championship.
In 2017, MotorSport Vision bought the circuit business and took over the lease. They have invested a lot to make the facilities modern. This includes new restaurants, grandstands, and offices. They also added more big events to the race calendar. In 2021, MSV bought the nearby Donington Hall Estate. They plan to turn Donington Hall into a hotel.
Contents
A Look Back: Donington Park's History
Early Days of Racing
Donington Park was England's first permanent park circuit. It broke the racing track monopoly that Brooklands had since 1907.
Fred Craner, a former motorcycle racer, helped create the track. In 1931, he asked John Gillies Shields, who owned the Donington Hall estate, to use his roads for racing.
The first track was 3.518 kilometers (2.186 miles) long. It used unsealed estate roads. The first motorcycle race happened on May 25, 1931. In 1933, Craner got permission to build a permanent track. The original layout was widened and paved for £12,000.
The first car race was on March 25, 1933. The first Donington Park Trophy race was on October 7, 1933. Earl Howe won this 20-lap race in a Bugatti Type 51.
In 1935, Richard "Mad Jack" Shuttleworth won the first 300-mile (480 km) Donington Grand Prix in an Alfa Romeo P3. Famous drivers like Bernd Rosemeyer and Tazio Nuvolari won the 1937 Donington Grand Prix and 1938 Donington Grand Prix in their "Silver Arrows" cars.
The War Years and Reopening
The circuit closed in 1940 because of World War II. The Ministry of Defence used it as a military vehicle depot. It was returned in 1956 and approved for racing again in 1957.
Tom Wheatcroft's Vision
In 1971, businessman Tom Wheatcroft bought the park. He paid for the track to be rebuilt. Wheatcroft also created the Donington Grand Prix Exhibition. This museum opened in 1973 and had the world's largest collection of Grand Prix cars until it closed in 2018.
Wheatcroft had to fight against the local council to get permission for racing. But he won and had the track ready by 1976.
The first race after the war was for motorcycles on May 15, 1977. Car races started on May 28, 1977.
Challenges and Comebacks
In 1985, the Melbourne Loop was added. This made the track 2.498 miles (4.020 km) long. This longer track allowed Donington to host Grand Prix motorcycle races. The shorter layout is now called the "National" circuit. It is used for most non-Grand Prix events.
Donington Park hosted many big events in the late 1900s. These included MotoGP, the British Touring Car Championship, and the British Superbike Championship. It also hosted the 1993 European Grand Prix.
In 2007, Tom Wheatcroft leased the track to Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd (DVLL). DVLL hoped to bring Formula One back. They even won the rights to the British Grand Prix for 17 years starting in 2010. However, DVLL ran into serious money problems. They could not raise enough funds.
In 2009, DVLL lost the rights to host the British Grand Prix. They also lost the rights to the British Superbike Championship race. The company went into administration (a type of bankruptcy).
New Owners, New Upgrades
On December 24, 2009, the lease ended, and the track returned to the Wheatcroft family. Kevin Wheatcroft, Tom's son, promised to reopen Donington Park quickly. The circuit reopened in autumn 2010.
Donington Park Racing, a company owned by the Wheatcrofts, took control. They brought in new events like the World Touring Cars and World Superbikes. They also started the Donington Historic Festival.
Today, Donington hosts about 60 race days each year. These include the British Touring Car Championship, British Superbikes, and World Superbikes. The FIA Formula E Championship also had its headquarters and pre-season tests here for several years.
In January 2017, MotorSport Vision (MSV) took over the circuit business with a 21-year lease. MSV has made many improvements. They resurfaced paddock areas, added a new restaurant (Garage 39), and built a large new grandstand. They also improved toilet blocks and offices.
In 2021, MSV bought the Donington Hall Estate. They plan to turn Donington Hall into a 40-bedroom hotel. They also want to create a special storage facility for supercars and classic cars.
Exciting Races at Donington
Donington Park has been home to many important motorsport events. These include BTCC, British F3, British Superbike Championship, WorldSBK, Superleague Formula, and Truck Racing.
Formula One Moments
Donington Park hosted the 1993 European Grand Prix on April 11, 1993. This race was famous for Ayrton Senna's amazing driving in the rain. He won by over a minute, moving from fifth to first place on the very first lap. Many people called it the "Drive of the Decade." There is a memorial to Senna at the track.
In 2008, it was announced that Donington Park would host the British Grand Prix from 2010. The track was planned for a big upgrade to meet Formula One standards. However, due to money problems, the plan fell through. The British Grand Prix stayed at Silverstone.
Motorcycle Grand Prix Races
Donington Park was the home of Grand Prix motorcycle racing in Britain for many years. From 1987 to 2009, it hosted the British round of the MotoGP championship. After the Formula One bid failed, Donington also lost the MotoGP contract to Silverstone.
British Touring Car Championship
Donington Park has been a regular track for the BTCC (British Touring Car Championship) since 1987. In 1999, Matt Neal made history by winning a race as an "Independent" driver. This was a huge achievement at the time.
Other Cool Races
Donington has also hosted the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) in 2011. It also held rounds of the German DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) series in 2002 and 2003.
The track is also used for Rallying events. These rallies use both the paved track and the dirt sections around it. Sports car races, like the FIA GT Championship, have also taken place here.
Beyond Racing: Other Fun Events
Music Festivals
Donington Park has a long history of hosting rock festivals. It was home to the Monsters of Rock festival from 1980 to the mid-1990s. Big bands like Van Halen, Bon Jovi, AC/DC, Metallica, and Iron Maiden played there.
Since 2003, the Download Festival has been held annually at Donington Park. It's a huge three-day event with many stages. Donington Park also hosted the biggest rave in the UK, called 'One Step Beyond,' in 1992.
The Grand Prix Museum
The Donington Grand Prix Exhibition opened in 1973. It had over 130 exhibits showing the history of motorsport. It featured cars driven by famous racers like Senna, Fangio, and Clark. It also had the world's largest collection of driver's helmets. The museum closed permanently in November 2018.
Where is Donington Park?
Donington Park is in Leicestershire, England. It is southwest of Nottingham and southeast of Derby. The western end of the runway at East Midlands Airport is very close to the track. It is also near the M1.
East Midlands Parkway railway station and Derby Midland Station are nearby. The owners encourage visitors to use public transport to get to the circuit.
Donington Park in Video Games
Donington Park has been featured in many racing video games. You can drive the track in games like Spirit of Speed 1937, Sports Car GT, Le Mans 24 Hours, ToCA Touring Car Championship, TOCA Race Driver 3, GTR2, GT Legends, MotoGP 3, rFactor, iRacing, Assetto Corsa Competizione, and Project CARS. It even appears in the music game Guitar Hero: Metallica.
Important Moments
On April 16, 2017, British racing driver Billy Monger was seriously hurt in a racing crash at Donington Park. He recovered but had life-changing injuries.
Race Track Layouts Over Time
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Donington Park (1935–1936)
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Donington Park (1937–1939)
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Donington Park GP Circuit (1977–1985) & National Circuit (1986–2009)
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Donington Park GP Circuit (1986–2009)
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Donington Park GP Circuit proposal for 2010 F1 race
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Donington Park GP Circuit (2010–present)
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What Races Happen Here?
- Current events
- March 22–23: TCR UK Touring Car Championship
- April 4–6: British GT Championship, TCR UK Touring Car Championship, GB4 Championship
- April 26–27: British Touring Car Championship, F4 British Championship, Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain
- May 4–5: Donington Historic Festival
- May 16–18: British Superbike Championship, British Supersport Championship, British Talent Cup
- July 11–13: Superbike World Championship, Supersport World Championship, FIM Women's Motorcycling World Championship
- July 19–20: Clio Cup Great Britain
- July 26–27: Ferrari Challenge UK
- August 9–10: Britcar Convoy In The Park
- August 30–31: British Touring Car Championship, F4 British Championship, Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain
- September 5–7: British Superbike Championship, British Supersport Championship, British Talent Cup
- October 3–5: British GT Championship, GB3 Championship, GB4 Championship
- Former events
- Auto GP (1999–2004, 2011, 2013)
- BPR Global GT Series (1995)
- BOSS GP (1995–2004, 2007–2008, 2011)
- Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (2002–2003)
- Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (1991, 1993–1995)
- EFDA Nations Cup (1996–1997)
- Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 (1993, 2000, 2003–2007)
- Eurocup Mégane Trophy (2005–2007)
- European Formula Two Championship (1977–1979, 1981–1984)
- European Le Mans Series
- 6 Hours of Donington (2006, 2012)
- European Touring Car Championship (1981–1988, 2002–2004)
- European Truck Racing Championship (1994, 1998–1999, 2011–2012)
- Ferrari Challenge Europe (2004)
- FIA European Formula 3 Championship (1977–1979, 1981–1984)
- FIA GT Championship (1997–1999, 2002–2004)
- FIA GT1 World Championship (2012)
- FIA Sportscar Championship
- FIA Sportscar Championship Donington Park (1997–2001, 2003)
- FIA Touring Car World Cup (1994)
- FIM Endurance World Championship (1981–1982, 1987)
- Formula One
- European Grand Prix (1993)
- Formula Palmer Audi (1998–2002, 2007–2008)
- Formula Renault 3.5 Series (2005–2007)
- Formula Renault V6 Eurocup (2003–2004)
- Grand Prix motorcycle racing
- British motorcycle Grand Prix (1987–2009)
- IMSA European Le Mans Series (2001)
- International Formula 3000 (1985, 1987, 1990, 1993)
- International GTSprint Series (2013)
- Open Telefonica by Nissan (1998–2000)
- Sidecar World Championship (1987–2001, 2008, 2014–2016, 2021–2022)
- Superstars Series (2011–2013)
- World Sportscar Championship
- 500 km of Donington (1989–1990, 1992)
- World Touring Car Championship
- FIA WTCC Race of UK (2011)
See also
In Spanish: Donington Park para niños
