Image: Donington Park roars into life on 4 and 5 May when hundreds of superb historic racing cars descend for the Donington Historic Festival, one of the highlights of the classic motorsport calendar.
RACING THROUGH HISTORY
This family-friendly event showcases everything from Touring Cars from the 1960s, 70s and 80s and stunning 1950s and 60s sportscars, GT cars and sports-racers to venerable pre-War sportscars – some more than 100 years old – in a jam-packed timetable.
There are even three races dedicated to Ferraris. And, despite the age and rarity of the cars, the highly competitive drivers don’t hold back, the resulting high-octane track battles delighting the crowds of spectators. Each day of DHF 2024 offers its own unique blend of world-class classic motor racing, and many of the races are two-driver, so require pit stops and driver changes, which only adds to the excitement!
BENTLEY LE MANS CENTENARY CELEBRATION
The track action isn’t confined to the racing. This year the Festival celebrates the 100th anniversary of Bentley’s first win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with lunchtime track displays of significant historic racing machines from the iconic marque – including 2003 Speed 8 chassis 004/1 and 2000 EXP Speed 8 Le Mans GT prototype chassis 002/1.
CLASSIC CARS ON PARADE
Also at lunchtime, 100 classic and collectors’ cars from the nearly 60 car clubs displaying at the event will parade round the Donington Park circuit each day. On the Saturday these will be led by a group of Ferraris, followed by a contingent of Honda NSXs which are paying tribute to Formula One legend Ayrton Senna and, on the Sunday, a group of classic Ford Mustangs will proudly lead the club parade, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the world’s first ‘pony car’.
LOOK UP!
There’s even action in the sky, with flypasts from a Spitfire and Hurricane from the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight each afternoon.
MEET THE EXPERTS AT THE Q&A SESSIONS
Off-track there’s plenty to do and see at the 2024 Donington Historic Festival. 2003 Le Mans-winning Bentley driver Guy Smith – who is also racing at the event - will take part in a Q&A session alongside Howden Haynes, Data Engineer for Team Bentley during their 2001-2003 Le Mans campaign, giving the audience the lowdown on Bentley’s return to the epic endurance race after a gap of 70 years.
And Touring Car fans can find out more about the world of Touring Cars, with Q&A sessions with 2012 World Touring Car Champion and 2020 Scandinavian Touring Car Champion Rob Huff and Colin Turkington, BMW’s most successful racing car driver of all time and four-times British Touring Car Champion. Both Colin and Rob will also be racing at the weekend – the calibre of drivers at the Donington Historic Festival matches that of the priceless racing cars!
PADDOCK ATTRACTIONS
Festivalgoers can also explore the open-access race Paddock and get up close to all the racing cars and the historic Bentley competition car display, grab some video of amazing engine noises and bag a selfie with their favourite machine. While there, they can also check out the Mustang 60th anniversary display, shop at the trade stands, visit the British Historic Kart Club’s display and raise money for charity by taking a Dream Ride on local roads in one of the classic and supercars that the Sporting Bears Motor Club is bringing along. Visitors can also take a pitlane walk and visit the car club displays in the Infield and on the Melbourne Hairpin and chat to the owners about their much-loved vehicles.
THE ART OF MOTORSPORT
The Festival is also hosting an art exhibition, featuring the work of some of Britain’s leading motoring and motorsport artists. And there’s a display of memorabilia from the Donington Park archive – plus visitors can meet ‘Old Tom’, a 92-year-old steamroller which worked on the construction of the original Donington Park track!
TICKETS
Advance discounted ticket prices start at just £26 for a one-day adult (16+) entry, with discounts for teens aged 13-15. Under 13s are admitted for free. Advance tickets are on sale until 4pm this Thursday, 2 May, after which tickets will be available on the gate. For further information and tickets, visit www.doningtonhistoric.com.
