Historic racers to hit Donington
Classic F1 cars take to classic UK circuit
Thoroughbreds at Donington Park
The announcement made on the GPlive stand at the Classic Motor Show at the NEC, confirmed that there will be two rounds of the championship during the weekend-long festival of Grand Prix motor racing. It further adds to GPlive’s action-packed programe of races and demonstrations from iconic cars and legendary drivers.
Created in 1994, the FIA Thoroughbred Grand Prix World Championship series features the 3-litre normally aspirated Grand Prix cars that raced in the Formula One World Championship between 1966 and 1985.
The 2006 season saw races at classic tracks including Barcelona, Hockenheim and Spa, leading into the spectacular season’s finale in November at the Valencia circuit in Spain. With packed starting grids of cars such as Lotus, McLarens, Tyrrells, Arrows, Brabhams, Ferraris and some of the earliest Williams cars, every race offers a sight and sound to savour.
“We’re delighted to be able to confirm our attendance at what promises to be one of the most exciting new events on the motor sport calendar” said Mike Whatley, CEO of Thoroughbred Grand Prix Limited. “Donington Park is always a popular venue for all our participants and with the added excitement of GPlive, it really has made this a must-do race”,
“Its great news for Grand Prix fans that such a prestigious series has agreed to become a part of GPlive.” said Richard Morgan, the initiator of GPlive. “Race-goers from all around the world appreciate the amazing spectacle of a Thoroughbred Grand Prix grid blasting off the line. I just can’t wait to see and hear those wonderful cars in action.”
Al;though there has been a circuit there since the mid 1930s, the current circuit is a mid 1970s design (with later modifications) so, in my mind at least, is "modern". Oulton Brands Hatch, Castle Coombe and even Thruxton are closer to my definition of a "Clasic" circuit (not forgetting, of course, Goodwood).
Al;though there has been a circuit there since the mid 1930s, the current circuit is a mid 1970s design (with later modifications) so, in my mind at least, is "modern". Oulton Brands Hatch, Castle Coombe and even Thruxton are closer to my definition of a "Clasic" circuit (not forgetting, of course, Goodwood).
Likewise the thoroughbred F1 cars (from the 1970s) are referred to as Classic in the title...
In my mind they were trying to establish some sort of historic link with the circuit and those cars - which is not appropriate.
Don't get me wrong though, I like Donington as a circuit and in some respects it is more "classic" (with a very small "c" ) than Silverstone which has undergone so may changes that it is unrecognisable from even 20 years ago. However, Donnington certainly isn't the same circuit it was in the 1930s and it was never host to F1 cars (apart from maybe the British Aurora series) or any F1GPs when the cars featured in the Thoroughbred Series were new.
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