Donington Historic F1

Anyone venturing to Donington Park this weekend for the Masters events where the real F1 cars lurk and you can get into the paddock / pits at no extra charge

 

Thanks Ernie!

(Good to see you're still around here and very pleased you intend to go to Donington this weekend).

 

Hi Cosi, got myself a big new job, so not much time for 606.

Will be going on Sunday

 

This sort of event at Donington got me into Formula one!, I think it was around 2002 and there were loads of old cars being driven like James Hunt's 1976 car.

It was a great day not least because I got to meet and have a picture with Mika Hakkinen but I also managed to see Lewis Hamilton in action! I was not aware of it at the time but once he broke into F1 my brother pointed out that on that day he had been driving one of the cars

So i got to meet one world champion and see a future one in action!

 

Aww the two gramp's reunite <3

 

Good for you SRR at least you got off your arse more than some armchair expert's

 

Not been to Donington in ages. Last time was a Renault sport day back in 2007 so I've not seen the changes that never were yet. Would have seen Vettel in action but he went off to do F1 mid season before they got to Doninigton. So no claims to future fame for me

 

Never seen a race at donnington. Only times ive been there is to attend the download festival.

 

Although a bit narrow, it's a great circuit, Bando &#8211; especially for bikes. For me, it's laced with fond memories and crazy times: a very happy place&#8230;

 

for what ive seen it looks a good track but it would take me longer to get there than it would for me to go to silverstone. My closest track would be Snetterton which is a fairly good track itself and has some good events

 

I've not been to Snetterton since it's refurb, but I've enjoyed visits in the past. It'd be a shame though if the changes mean you can't walk pretty much all over the infield and get to any corner pretty easily. Always liked watching at what's now Brundle corner, and through the Bomb hole.

 

I first visited Donington Park about 30 years ago with the wife on a quiet Sunday afternoon drove off the road through the main gate into the paddock onto the circuit and continued on and did a full circuit in my White Ford Granada Ghia V6 2.8 company car and out again without being challenged, I bet you can't do that nowadays.

 

Hehehe&#8230; I could tell you a few similar stories, Ernie (like half a day's testing without being noticed!) but of course, I wouldn't dream of it&#8230;

 

Cosi, yes I can imagine. !!!

I first became aware of Donington Park through an article in Motor Sport magazine in the 70s, I think, featuring Tom Wheatcroft and his dream of reopening the circuit, I seem to remember he paid £100k for the place.

I wonder how many "Donny Market" bargain hunter hopefuls realize the history of the Melborne loop section of the old track that is now used as a car park.