RE: Pic Of The Week: Donington's Glory Days
Discussion
SEE YA AT THE RACES!!!amazing picture. A few years ago, I went to the Goodwood hill climb and they had a couple of w125's and an auto union there - transported from Germany. I think it was some anniversary of something. Anyhow, I was standing right next to them when they started them all up and my god was that a sound to behold. The floor literally shook through my ankes and shins! It cemented me as a petrol head forever and i'll never forget it!
craig r said:
And I agree that racing drivers then were balls out mentalists - knowing that if you crashed you WILL die, whereas now if you crash you will more than likely walk away from it. Not saying that's a bad thing though.
~ Craig
Earl Howe (I think) said 'Motor racing is dangerous - let's keep it that way'~ Craig
Not sure where all this "when men were men" comments have come from but as far as I can see racing drivers haven't changed at all. It's the people behind the scenes who have ruined it if anything. Namely legislation, health and safety types, etc. I have no doubt the F1 brigade would love a bit of freedom, and boy would it be interesting! Although I'm not sure I'd like to be hit by an aerodynamic carbon fibre piece. Ouch!
Edited by exceed on Friday 29th October 15:11
For those of an old car persuasion, you might enjoy these photos my grandfather took at Donington in 1939. I have added a bit of discussion to his historical accuracy at www.motorcardiaries.co.uk
Sorry, but given the subject title i would disagree that the pictures shown were of Donington's "Glory Days".
The years 1931 to 1939 were important in establishing the reputation of Donington as a venue of historical importance to motorsport but i would counter that what has occured under the Wheatcrofts ownership since the 70's is equally, if not of more importance to motorsport whether two or four wheeled.
Additionally i'd hope it's glory days are around the corner following it's recent malladies.
If you haven't had opportunity to read thunder in the park then i'd thoroughly recommend it, it is a superb read.
Without wishing to dwell on the book, from the point Tom Wheatcroft bought Donington he had a massive battle, firstly with the planners / various do-gooders and then with various motor racing bodies.
Someone has posted previously that the old Melbourne loop should be linked back into the current circuit. This was entertained at the time but was omitted as the loop fell into a seperate county which in turn meant a seperate planning application. Tom Wheatcroft was already having enough trouble with Leicestershire District Council as it was without then entering into a similar level of grief with Derbyshire County Council for the loop. As such the loop was simply left out of the circuit development.
Secondly, once built, Donington then faced various problems against the "old guard" of the MSA in attracting various race series to the circuit.
As a direct result of this some lateral thinking ensued and some interesting series were either attracted to Donington from overseas or set up for Donington only.
A classic example for me was the transatlantic series where us Brits were first given the opportunity to see Rainey and Schwantz going at it hammer and indeed tongs.
Amongst other series, around the same time some international F3 appeared and i remember seeing a young Gerhard Berger out on track.
A few years later the DTM arrived with Soper doing battle in the M3 against Hans Stuck in the Audi.
Then there is the obvious race of 93 that was recognised as Senna's greatest win (if not by the man himself but by the media)that would surely herald as a glory day for the circuit despite the Wheatcroft's losing a fortune for the opportunity to hold an F1 race for the 1st time.
Anyone remember Mansell clouting the bridge in the mondeo at the end of season TOCA bash?
I could state some more examples but the point is that without the Wheatcrofts tenacity Donington wouldn't be half the place it is, we wouldn't have got to see half of the series that we did and we wouldn't have had so many "glory days" as has been seen fit to title this article.
Yours, a daily mail reader
The years 1931 to 1939 were important in establishing the reputation of Donington as a venue of historical importance to motorsport but i would counter that what has occured under the Wheatcrofts ownership since the 70's is equally, if not of more importance to motorsport whether two or four wheeled.
Additionally i'd hope it's glory days are around the corner following it's recent malladies.
If you haven't had opportunity to read thunder in the park then i'd thoroughly recommend it, it is a superb read.
Without wishing to dwell on the book, from the point Tom Wheatcroft bought Donington he had a massive battle, firstly with the planners / various do-gooders and then with various motor racing bodies.
Someone has posted previously that the old Melbourne loop should be linked back into the current circuit. This was entertained at the time but was omitted as the loop fell into a seperate county which in turn meant a seperate planning application. Tom Wheatcroft was already having enough trouble with Leicestershire District Council as it was without then entering into a similar level of grief with Derbyshire County Council for the loop. As such the loop was simply left out of the circuit development.
Secondly, once built, Donington then faced various problems against the "old guard" of the MSA in attracting various race series to the circuit.
As a direct result of this some lateral thinking ensued and some interesting series were either attracted to Donington from overseas or set up for Donington only.
A classic example for me was the transatlantic series where us Brits were first given the opportunity to see Rainey and Schwantz going at it hammer and indeed tongs.
Amongst other series, around the same time some international F3 appeared and i remember seeing a young Gerhard Berger out on track.
A few years later the DTM arrived with Soper doing battle in the M3 against Hans Stuck in the Audi.
Then there is the obvious race of 93 that was recognised as Senna's greatest win (if not by the man himself but by the media)that would surely herald as a glory day for the circuit despite the Wheatcroft's losing a fortune for the opportunity to hold an F1 race for the 1st time.
Anyone remember Mansell clouting the bridge in the mondeo at the end of season TOCA bash?
I could state some more examples but the point is that without the Wheatcrofts tenacity Donington wouldn't be half the place it is, we wouldn't have got to see half of the series that we did and we wouldn't have had so many "glory days" as has been seen fit to title this article.
Yours, a daily mail reader
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U_m-9Hjfrs
Take a look at this footage at around 27 to 29 sec, I am sure it's where the image has been taken from.
Take a look at this footage at around 27 to 29 sec, I am sure it's where the image has been taken from.
onemorelap said:
Sorry, but given the subject title i would disagree that the pictures shown were of Donington's "Glory Days".
The years 1931 to 1939 were important in establishing the reputation of Donington as a venue of historical importance to motorsport but i would counter that what has occured under the Wheatcrofts ownership since the 70's is equally, if not of more importance to motorsport whether two or four wheeled.
Additionally i'd hope it's glory days are around the corner following it's recent malladies.
If you haven't had opportunity to read thunder in the park then i'd thoroughly recommend it, it is a superb read.
Without wishing to dwell on the book, from the point Tom Wheatcroft bought Donington he had a massive battle, firstly with the planners / various do-gooders and then with various motor racing bodies.
Someone has posted previously that the old Melbourne loop should be linked back into the current circuit. This was entertained at the time but was omitted as the loop fell into a seperate county which in turn meant a seperate planning application. Tom Wheatcroft was already having enough trouble with Leicestershire District Council as it was without then entering into a similar level of grief with Derbyshire County Council for the loop. As such the loop was simply left out of the circuit development.
Secondly, once built, Donington then faced various problems against the "old guard" of the MSA in attracting various race series to the circuit.
As a direct result of this some lateral thinking ensued and some interesting series were either attracted to Donington from overseas or set up for Donington only.
A classic example for me was the transatlantic series where us Brits were first given the opportunity to see Rainey and Schwantz going at it hammer and indeed tongs.
Amongst other series, around the same time some international F3 appeared and i remember seeing a young Gerhard Berger out on track.
A few years later the DTM arrived with Soper doing battle in the M3 against Hans Stuck in the Audi.
Then there is the obvious race of 93 that was recognised as Senna's greatest win (if not by the man himself but by the media)that would surely herald as a glory day for the circuit despite the Wheatcroft's losing a fortune for the opportunity to hold an F1 race for the 1st time.
Anyone remember Mansell clouting the bridge in the mondeo at the end of season TOCA bash?
I could state some more examples but the point is that without the Wheatcrofts tenacity Donington wouldn't be half the place it is, we wouldn't have got to see half of the series that we did and we wouldn't have had so many "glory days" as has been seen fit to title this article.
Yours, a daily mail reader
Good post. The tarmac of the old Melbourne loop is still there isn't it (or pre Donny-desecrate it was. Don't they hold a boot sale on it every weekend or summat?)The years 1931 to 1939 were important in establishing the reputation of Donington as a venue of historical importance to motorsport but i would counter that what has occured under the Wheatcrofts ownership since the 70's is equally, if not of more importance to motorsport whether two or four wheeled.
Additionally i'd hope it's glory days are around the corner following it's recent malladies.
If you haven't had opportunity to read thunder in the park then i'd thoroughly recommend it, it is a superb read.
Without wishing to dwell on the book, from the point Tom Wheatcroft bought Donington he had a massive battle, firstly with the planners / various do-gooders and then with various motor racing bodies.
Someone has posted previously that the old Melbourne loop should be linked back into the current circuit. This was entertained at the time but was omitted as the loop fell into a seperate county which in turn meant a seperate planning application. Tom Wheatcroft was already having enough trouble with Leicestershire District Council as it was without then entering into a similar level of grief with Derbyshire County Council for the loop. As such the loop was simply left out of the circuit development.
Secondly, once built, Donington then faced various problems against the "old guard" of the MSA in attracting various race series to the circuit.
As a direct result of this some lateral thinking ensued and some interesting series were either attracted to Donington from overseas or set up for Donington only.
A classic example for me was the transatlantic series where us Brits were first given the opportunity to see Rainey and Schwantz going at it hammer and indeed tongs.
Amongst other series, around the same time some international F3 appeared and i remember seeing a young Gerhard Berger out on track.
A few years later the DTM arrived with Soper doing battle in the M3 against Hans Stuck in the Audi.
Then there is the obvious race of 93 that was recognised as Senna's greatest win (if not by the man himself but by the media)that would surely herald as a glory day for the circuit despite the Wheatcroft's losing a fortune for the opportunity to hold an F1 race for the 1st time.
Anyone remember Mansell clouting the bridge in the mondeo at the end of season TOCA bash?
I could state some more examples but the point is that without the Wheatcrofts tenacity Donington wouldn't be half the place it is, we wouldn't have got to see half of the series that we did and we wouldn't have had so many "glory days" as has been seen fit to title this article.
Yours, a daily mail reader
I've read the book "Hitler's Grand Prix in England, fascinating stuff.
The race officials kept getting caught out because they were used to walking across the track at the point the picture was taken, IIRC, but of course the German cars were so much faster than they were used to, and they'd almost end up with a Merc or Auto Union flying over their heads.
The German drivers and team members got really exasperated about it and voices had to be raised over the matter.
Btw, are we all aware that Ferdinand Porsche had a hand in the design of the mercs and the Auto Unions were all his design?
The race officials kept getting caught out because they were used to walking across the track at the point the picture was taken, IIRC, but of course the German cars were so much faster than they were used to, and they'd almost end up with a Merc or Auto Union flying over their heads.
The German drivers and team members got really exasperated about it and voices had to be raised over the matter.
Btw, are we all aware that Ferdinand Porsche had a hand in the design of the mercs and the Auto Unions were all his design?
heebeegeetee said:
The tarmac of the old Melbourne loop is still there isn't it (or pre Donny-desecrate it was. Don't they hold a boot sale on it every weekend or summat?)
Here you go - http://wikimapia.org/13530201/Donnington-Park-1930...left click and drag the image to the right to see where the current loop finishes.
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