Donington Park To Launch Historic Festival
Midlands track's rebirth to continue with an ambitious new historic race weekend
After its aborted attempt to grab the British Grand Prix from Silverstone, Donington is back in the hands of the Wheatcroft family (Kevin Wheatcroft, whose father Tom reopened the circuit in 1977, is once again at the helm), and is keen to create a festival that can rival the best historic motorsport events (for that read Goodwood).
"After a period of uncertainty, Donington Park's future as a race circuit is now assured," says Kevin. "The circuit has a fabulous history that is an important part of British heritage, from the days of the pre-War Silver Arrows GP cars right through to modern times. The launch of the Donington Historic Festival is one example of how we intend the circuit not only to survive, but to thrive in the years to come."
The Donington Historic Festival will be run by experienced race organiser Duncan Wiltshire. "The Donington Historic Festival aims to fill a very clear hole in the calendar," he says, "by placing the needs and wishes of owners, drivers and knowledgeable enthusiasts at its heart. This will be a truly prestigious annual event, inviting only the very best race series and the highest-calibre cars and drivers.
"We aim to delight serious historic motorsport fans, and the owners of the most original, most fascinating and most important cars, by focusing on the pure motor racing experience, over and above any add-on attractions."
but went to the Spa Six Hours instead 
- unfortunately the weather followed me there... should I have expected any different?!An earlier historic fest will be a welcome addition to the calendar I think, especially at Donington.
- unfortunately the weather followed me there... http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...
DONINGTON PARK NEEDS THE 'SIDE SHOWS' TOO TO HELP WITH COSTS, AND THE LADIES SEEM TO LIKE WANDERING AROUND THESE ALSO, EVEN IF IT MEANS SPENDING SOME OF OUR MONEY!
Where i think there is a gap in offering something slightly different is for Donington to do an Historic festival in a similar vein to the revival but that focuses on the 70's to the late 80's early 90's max.
It would suit the circuit and the timing of it's re-incarnation under Tom Wheatcroft in the late 70's imo.
I'm really not knocking anything pre-70's as there are some fantastic bit's of kit from the Pre-70's that i still enjoy watching but these cars are very well catered for in historic / vintage racing and is what most festivals tend to focus on with the occassional post 70's race thrown in (Gpc at the Silverstone Classic for example)
Unfortunately "my generation" which were once watching Capris through Rover SD1's through to RS500 Sierra's, 935's through to GpC etc as contemporary are now watching them as classics. As such i think Donington could be a great setting to show these off to there best amongst a similarly "themed" environment with the revant races being tributes of those held back in the day.
If nothing else it will give me opportunity to wear my old Malboro World Championship Team Jacket that i've kept, if it still fits.........
Where i think there is a gap in offering something slightly different is for Donington to do an Historic festival in a similar vein to the revival but that focuses on the 70's to the late 80's early 90's max.
It would suit the circuit and the timing of it's re-incarnation under Tom Wheatcroft in the late 70's imo.
I'm really not knocking anything pre-70's as there are some fantastic bit's of kit from the Pre-70's that i still enjoy watching but these cars are very well catered for in historic / vintage racing and is what most festivals tend to focus on with the occassional post 70's race thrown in (Gpc at the Silverstone Classic for example)
Unfortunately "my generation" which were once watching Capris through Rover SD1's through to RS500 Sierra's, 935's through to GpC etc as contemporary are now watching them as classics. As such i think Donington could be a great setting to show these off to there best amongst a similarly "themed" environment with the revant races being tributes of those held back in the day.
If nothing else it will give me opportunity to wear my old Malboro World Championship Team Jacket that i've kept, if it still fits.........
http://www.parkfarmhouse.co.uk/caravansite.htm
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They ran a class 2 "supertouring" race at the 2009 Silverstone classic. Those the concept proved popular with fans the organisers failed to attract many genuine Class 2 entries. Which was a shame if a little unsurprising considering most of the cars have found homes abroad.
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