Donnington

[HONEYMON57ER]

I've just booked a day at Donington in July. It
will be only my 3rd trackday. I've done Goodwood
and Bedford. I was just wondering if it's an enjoyable circuit or are there traffic problems? Any tips would
be good.

Thanks

Edited by HONEYMON57ER on Friday 4th April 21:39

[fergus]

HONEYMON57ER said:

I've just booked a day at Donnington in July. It
will be only my 3rd trackday. I've done Goodwood
and Bedford. I was just wondering if it's an enjoyable circuit or are there traffic problems? Any tips would
be good.

Thanks

It's generally clear, but there is some congestion at rush hour at redgate. The lunchtime rush for sarnies sees a bit of a backlog at the old hairpin, but other than that it's pretty free flowing. Look out for messages on the overhead gantries informing you of hold ups further round the lap though

They can get a bit anal about noise though.

[HONEYMON57ER]

Just noticed your occupation

[DanH]

Great circuit. Some traffic problems on it though as tonnes of linked corners!

Oi Fergus, you done anything about a GT3 yet? Sorry I couldn't give you a detailed response on that email you sent me, but if you have any specific questions I'm happy to help. There is tonnes on the Porsche forum too!

[tertius]

Excellent circuit - probably my favourite UK circuit of the few I've done.

Really flowing and interesting.

[andynoquantum]

HONEYMON57ER said:

I've just booked a day at Donnington in July. It
will be only my 3rd trackday. I've done Goodwood
and Bedford. I was just wondering if it's an enjoyable circuit or are there traffic problems? Any tips would
be good.

Thanks

Who've you booked through? I fancy doing Donington again and am undecided between doing an evening or full day

Is it the National or full GP circuit?

[Monty_M100]

Donington (no double N LOL)

I`ve done it twice and last one was last weekend which was a lotus show and on the GP circuit, had a great day. It`s a very safe cicuit compared to Oulton etc and if you fail the noise test you`ve got a dam loud pipe as it`s 98db`s drive by compared to 87db drive by at Bedford.

Think Donny & Oulton will be my regular circuits

[HONEYMON57ER]

andynoquantum said:

HONEYMON57ER said:

I've just booked a day at Donnington in July. It
will be only my 3rd trackday. I've done Goodwood
and Bedford. I was just wondering if it's an enjoyable circuit or are there traffic problems? Any tips would
be good.

Thanks

Who've you booked through? I fancy doing Donington again and am undecided between doing an evening or full day

Is it the National or full GP circuit?

I've booked it with TrackDays.co.uk but not sure if it's full GP or not.

[HONEYMON57ER]

I just checked and it's the National circuit.

[DanH]

Full GP is generally considered inferior to National as it just adds a couple of hairpins that work your breaks harder. Albeit one of them is rather nice to powerslide around

[kusee pee]

DanH said:

Full GP is generally considered inferior to National as it just adds a couple of hairpins that work your breaks harder. Albeit one of them is rather nice to powerslide around

Agreed - the hairpin is pure-drifing territory if you fancy it!

Donington is a gorgeous circuit and the most enjoyable one I've driven. You'll have a great time.

[jleroux]

To find out which is the best circuit at Donny Park - use the following formula:-

IF weight_of_car < 1000kg's THEN gp_circuit ELSE national_circuit

[boxsey]

HONEYMON57ER said:

I've just booked a day at Donington in July. It
will be only my 3rd trackday. I've done Goodwood
and Bedford. I was just wondering if it's an enjoyable circuit or are there traffic problems? Any tips would
be good.

Thanks

Edited by HONEYMON57ER on Friday 4th April 21:39

What day have you booked? A bunch of us have booked Sunday 6th July.

[HONEYMON57ER]

Yep, 6th July it is.

[boxsey]

HONEYMON57ER said:

Yep, 6th July it is.

Come over and say hello on the day, our group of 10 consists of boxsters and 911s so we'll be easy to spot. There are just 2 x 20 minute sessions per hour that day as one session has been booked out by a car club (I don't know who).

[BullFace]

HONEYMON57ER said:

I've just booked a day at Donington in July. It
will be only my 3rd trackday. I've done Goodwood
and Bedford. I was just wondering if it's an enjoyable circuit or are there traffic problems? Any tips would
be good.

Thanks

Edited by HONEYMON57ER on Friday 4th April 21:39

Best tip I can give you it to move out the way of that green Lotus that keeps overtaking you!

[Ipelm]

Its a technical circuit, dont over-drive, smoothness brings speed. Its not a circuit you leave feeling "wow that was amazing " like Brands GP, it doesnt flow in the same way, its more a kind of "quiet satisfaction sort of a feeling."
Those noise limits drive you mad, there are huge noisy planes taking off well into the night, once tried camping there, jeeez talk about Armageddon. Yet we have to meet 98Db limit!!!!! Make sure yr car meets that limit if yr not booked on a noisy day.

Edited by Ipelm on Wednesday 16th April 21:34

[khm]

if they do static noise tests they have to wait 'till the planes pass by 'cos they can't hear the cars

[chris7676]

It's a fast, safe and very interesting circuit, actually it's great. Still enjoyable in a slower car (MR2 MK1 still could get to over 100 for the Craners...).
Someone said it's technical - don't get what that really means, which one is not technical (an airfield, motorway) ?

[chevin]

I drove it in very wet conditions in December, and it wore me out! I think that's what is meant by 'technical' - it's a circuit where you have to concentrate the whole time, and it can be (very) unforgiving if you get it wrong, particularly if it's not totally dry. It has adverse cambers, hills, scary bits and quick bits - what more can you ask for? Great fun, thought, and very safe.