DONINGTON HISTORIC FESTIVAL

[Peter Mallett]

Annual Historic Festival. In 2017 qualifying will be on Friday, with racing Saturday and Sunday.

Invited grids so far include all 4 Motor Racing Legends series, FJHRA, GTSCC and Jaguar Challenge.

There are also two races for HRDC categories-
TG/TC63
COYS
Further info on their website...

And two 40 min races for U2TC.

[coppice]

In two minds about attending - the last few I have been to didn't really match up to expectation . It's a typical historic weekend meeting masquerading as something bigger and stretching a two day meeting to three . The timing of some feature races has been stupid- much as I love watching T70s etc , if races don't start until 5.30 or later , the 150 mile drive home does tend to mean I have to watch an hour long race for 50s Jags (for example ) at prime time- early afternoon - which is pleasant enough but not what I came to see whilst missing out on the star attraction.

[Rudernst]

Originally Posted by coppice

In two minds about attending - the last few I have been to didn't really match up to expectation . It's a typical historic weekend meeting masquerading as something bigger and stretching a two day meeting to three . The timing of some feature races has been stupid- much as I love watching T70s etc , if races don't start until 5.30 or later , the 150 mile drive home does tend to mean I have to watch an hour long race for 50s Jags (for example ) at prime time- early afternoon - which is pleasant enough but not what I came to see whilst missing out on the star attraction.

"It's a typical historic weekend meeting masquerading as something bigger and stretching a two day meeting to three ."

now that is it in a nutshell ! very well put
you might see that through the eyes of a speccy, but for an entrant is much the same

RuE

[Mike Bell]

Well, it's getting close and the timetable is on their website-

http://www.doningtonhistoric.com/the-races/ Not sure how that works for you, coppice?

Assuming paddock access is allowed Thursday I'll be arriving then to get organised for qualifying Friday pm and race Sunday morning. That's 3 nights hotel so not the cheapest of meetings to do........ With the event running Friday to Sunday at least competitors won't have to do battle with holiday traffic on the motorways Monday eve!

I know our race (GTSCC) is oversubscribed- reserves plus waiting list, so will be interesting to see how well supported the others are.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Well, it's getting close and the timetable is on their website-

http://www.doningtonhistoric.com/the-races/ Not sure how that works for you, coppice?

Assuming paddock access is allowed Thursday I'll be arriving then to get organised for qualifying Friday pm and race Sunday morning. That's 3 nights hotel so not the cheapest of meetings to do........ With the event running Friday to Sunday at least competitors won't have to do battle with holiday traffic on the motorways Monday eve!

I know our race (GTSCC) is oversubscribed- reserves plus waiting list, so will be interesting to see how well supported the others are.

Can't wait Mike!
Going to see if i can do all 3 days this year (thanks to a nice crimbo pressie i got last yr) so maybe we'll get the chance for a proper catch up for a change!

Be interesting to see how the one day qualy works and then 2 solid days racing. Should work better than previous format?

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Can't wait Mike!
Going to see if i can do all 3 days this year (thanks to a nice crimbo pressie i got last yr) so maybe we'll get the chance for a proper catch up for a change!

Be interesting to see how the one day qualy works and then 2 solid days racing. Should work better than previous format?

Yes, Would be good to catch up, James!

Thanks for the motorway updates, guys. I'll be travelling from Kent so can do M40 alternative without too much hassle.....

[grantp]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Can't wait Mike!
Going to see if i can do all 3 days this year (thanks to a nice crimbo pressie i got last yr) so maybe we'll get the chance for a proper catch up for a change!

Be interesting to see how the one day qualy works and then 2 solid days racing. Should work better than previous format?

From memory I think the first time the event was run day 1 was qualifying and racing on 2 and 3. Better for the enduro stuff. Indeed about the only way they could get a 4hr sports car race (or whatever it was) running into the evening.

[chunterer]

Having 1 full day of qualy and 2 full days racing next year might help sort some of that out?

[andy97]

Be careful with your travel plans if attending this meeting (or indeed anything at Donington for the next 18 months or so); junction 23a to 25 (I think) has just started the roadworks to upgrade to a "smart motorway", and at the same time the parallel A453 between 23a and 24 is down to single lane traffic due to the construction of a new traffic island and a massive distribution complex on the north side of the airport.

The upshot is that traffic on those roads is now backing up even more than it did before, the traffic island at the motorway services is very busy and people are using the road through Donington village (past the race track main entrance) as a "rat run" to try to avoid the problem, causing more problems in the village!

God knows what it will be like this weekend for the BTCC meeting or for the Download concert in June.

[apriliadriver]

Andy is right. If coming from the South, under no circumstances use the M1 even outside rush-hour - go M40/M42/A42 and come off one junction before you reach the M1.
I travelled up M1 on the Friday before last Saturday's HSCC and it was a nightmare journey the whole way from London - roadworks, speed restrictions, jams and then the gridlock that Andy describes. 3.5 hours for 115 mile trip. On Sat. afternoon after my race I returned via M42/M40 - two hours inc a fuel stop to feed the insatiable Chevy Holley.
Nick

[grantp]

Originally Posted by apriliadriver

Andy is right. If coming from the South, under no circumstances use the M1 even outside rush-hour - go M40/M42/A42 and come off one junction before you reach the M1.
I travelled up M1 on the Friday before last Saturday's HSCC and it was a nightmare journey the whole way from London - roadworks, speed restrictions, jams and then the gridlock that Andy describes. 3.5 hours for 115 mile trip. On Sat. afternoon after my race I returned via M42/M40 - two hours inc a fuel stop to feed the insatiable Chevy Holley.
Nick

Friday M1 north is always a nightmare from about lunchtime onwards. With the roadworks it is not going to get better and southbound gets screwed as well.

Getting to the circuit may be challenging but anyone thinking of going into Donington should allow good time. At least half an hour from the circuit at peak late afternoon. Maybe an hour if the A42 is also very slow (quite likely) and everyone tries to cut the corner by using the village.

As for the M42/A42 route ...

purely coincidentally I have travelled to Donington from Birmingham for the past 2 Fridays leaving Brum at around 2pm.

M42/A42 was busy on both occasions but at least it kept moving at regulation truck speed.

If travelling in something smaller than a truck there are some options across country.

If the A42 northbound is clogged where it joins the M1, exit early at Ashby north and use the parallel road to Donington but watch out for the speed humps in Breedon.

For the M1 north there is the option to leave at J23 (Shepshed/Loughborough) skirt Shepshed and cut across country via Belton to the south of Donington and join as if coming in from the A42 or head towards (but not into) Diseworth then join the A453 towards the Park from the East.

Both are OK in a car or van.

Slightly trickier if towing - some parts are quite narrow - but better than sitting in traffic. Probably not a good recommendation for a truck of any size. For that Mr. Hadfield would be a much better source of information.

[Mike Bell]

As qualifying is all on Friday I guess a lot of folks will be pitching up Thursday. It's a normal work day following so fingers crossed there shouldn't be too much of a 'bank holiday' surge Thursday pm.

And leaving the circuit Sunday will hopefully mean just usual traffic for that day rather than May bank holiday Monday mayhem......

More importantly- update on the local eateries / pubs please!

[grantp]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

As qualifying is all on Friday I guess a lot of folks will be pitching up Thursday. It's a normal work day following so fingers crossed there shouldn't be too much of a 'bank holiday' surge Thursday pm.

And leaving the circuit Sunday will hopefully mean just usual traffic for that day rather than May bank holiday Monday mayhem......

More importantly- update on the local eateries / pubs please!

Any particular sort of eateries?

Most of the pubs seem to have either converted to eateries or shut down.

I drove through Diseworth a couple of days ago and discovered The Bull, an incredibly busy pub and food place when we first moved up here and always rammed full with aircrew being next to EMA, seem to have been recently converted to a large centre of village house.

It then struck me that although it was somewhere we went a number of times when we moved here the last time was more than likely about 30 years ago!

We are back to just the three curry houses in the centre of Donington ...

[Sodemo]

Is this one of those "smart motorways" that actually cause more crashes?

[andy97]

The Nags Head at the south end of the village is very variable, depending on whether the owner is cooking or a chef! Prefer the latter.

The Castle Inn on the main road near the traffic lights is very good and does very good food but is busy and you will probably need to book.

Gandhis, Rose of Bengal and Curry 2nite are all very good but my preference is the Rose. DO NOT USE THE Turks Head/ Maharajas/ Alithii (or whatever it is called this week), the place opposite The Castle - it is truly awful.

The Chequred Flag micro pub (racing theme) is good but no food.

The Apiary is OK but not special

The Jolly Sailor at Hemington village has recently been refurbished and is a decent pub, I think it has started doing food there recently.

The fish and chip shop in the centre of the village (next to the Rose) is good.

[chunterer]

Another huge entry for the MRL touring cars!
Looks like JD are entering the XJS and Vitesse and the G1 element also looks strong.
Not sure but does seem that a few regulars from this field are absent?
Shame that once again no 635 or Volvo's are doing it. They seem to prefer Peter Auto.
Still it will be a fantastic spectacle.

[Mike Bell]

There is one 635 on the list- #55. Bit different to a few years ago though, when 635s outnumbered anything (and sometimes everything) else in touring car races!

Bit disappointed with the Jaguar race entries- 37 cars (good) but 31 of those are 'E' Types (not so good). Unless you like 'E's more than other Jags, of course.....

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

There is one 635 on the list- #55. Bit different to a few years ago though, when 635s outnumbered anything (and sometimes everything) else in touring car races!

Bit disappointed with the Jaguar race entries- 37 cars (good) but 31 of those are 'E' Types (not so good). Unless you like 'E's more than other Jags, of course.....

Oh brill i missed that one!!

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

There is one 635 on the list- #55. Bit different to a few years ago though, when 635s outnumbered anything (and sometimes everything) else in touring car races!

Bit disappointed with the Jaguar race entries- 37 cars (good) but 31 of those are 'E' Types (not so good). Unless you like 'E's more than other Jags, of course.....

Hang on is that #55 a CSL?

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Hang on is that #55 a CSL?

Patrick Blakeney-Edwards has co-driven a CSL in a few events, so I'm assuming it is the same one. Very colourful Jagermeister scheme....

Shame no parade on Saturday, Andy, but will probably make parking and access easier for anyone wanting to eat in CD!

[andy97]

Sadly, the historic car demo run through the Castle Donington village is not happening on the Saturday evening this year. Supposedly due to time constraints from the organisers. A great shame as it was well supported by the local population and created a real buzz in the village, and a great social atmosphere.

[The SpeCTator]

Looking forward to getting back to Donington, its been a while!
Grant, what chance of half decent images with a 400mm?
I guess debris fences are on the outside of most corners, are there any places with uninterrupted vision anymore?
Thanks for the warning on the roadworks, hope to arrive Friday around 10.00

[grantp]

Originally Posted by The SpeCTator

Looking forward to getting back to Donington, its been a while!
Grant, what chance of half decent images with a 400mm?
I guess debris fences are on the outside of most corners, are there any places with uninterrupted vision anymore?
Thanks for the warning on the roadworks, hope to arrive Friday around 10.00

Hmm.

Inside at Redgate is OK with a 200mm but the background is not great usually. From there down the inside of the Craner curves is reasonable. The outside is all fence but there are one or two points where you can get a slight gap looking back up or down the hill. Recovery vehicle gaps. Very restricted width.

Still on the infield carry on around the barrier line to Schwantz and there are still some options there - or were last time I headed that was a while back.

Assuming the infield is open you can fairly quickly traverse from where the old sparkplug commentary box used to be to the esses back on the other side.

Im not sure if either of the tunnels between McLeans and Coppice will be open for pedestrians but if the old Coppice Tunnel is open that would be a bonus. Outside at Coppice right round by the "No Pedestrians" gate next to the toilet block gives an option to shoot through the fencing with a 400mm on a crop body. It's not ideal but with careful positioning it's possible to get some worthwhile results - partly because the background variations make for something different and there is usually some sort of action at Coppice.

If you have to go around the outside of the circuit .... it's a long way.

Last time I was there for a test day they had left some advertising stuff tied to the tyre barrier after the BSB so that the main part fo that section was blocked for viewing for anyone under about 7ft tall. Poor show I thought. Presumably they were planning to re-use it for BTCC TV cameras so I hope it is removed by now.

Going around the outside from the paddock ... the banking past Redgate at Holly Wood offers some options although the fencing usually means is only works when panning and then watch out for the fence posts positions. To get Redgate exit shots of interest probably requires a 600mm IMO.

Recovery vehicle gaps mainly offer rear views. Of for a couple of snaps but they get boring quickly - especially if there is a tractor in the gap. (Not always the case for clubbies but might be for a "big" meeting). Half ay down the banking between Craner and Old Hairpin it is possible to get high enough to shoot over the fencing for some pan shots.

At the Old Hairpin it's just about possible to shoot through the fence at an angle to capture the turn in point without the fence detracting too much.

Likewise the banking north of the Old Hairpin and on towards what is left of the bridge gives height but even with a 400 there not too much scope for filling frame. You can get some nice shots of massed starts pouring through Craner Curves though and there might be some "action" there.

From the bridge remains through to McLeans and on around to Coppice would have some nice potential if not for the fencing.

The banking on the outside at the rise towards Coppice does allow some fence free viewing but it's a tricky panning opportunity mostly and for much of the day means shooting into the sun. Might work for some unusual stuff in the evening when the sun should be low and directly in line.

It is certainly possible to shoot the McLean exit from there - can be exciting if there is action - but again 400mm is a bit short even when happy making a deep crop. Monopod or Tripod recommended.

Thinking of McLeans - from the infield there should be a few fence free lines available using a 400mm lens but over the years I've never been entirely convinced that the resulting images are interesting. Then again the infield was closed for years and the new infield has a greatly raised spectator area which I have only investigated once so far so there may be some new options to be discovered.

Other than that .... it depends on what there might be available in terms of Grandstands. I suspect just the usual. The one opposite the pits offers some pit stop shots. The permanent one at the pits entrance gives clear panning options but not too much else.

Halfway along the pit building there is a place where the steps up to the media suite offer a small platform for overhead pits shots but it can be full of team members watching what is going on.

If the full GP circuit was to be used there would be some further options related to the loop but they don't come into play for this one.

HTH.

[john ruston]

The Talbot is out in Mad Jack Pre War race.
We were going to enter last weeks VSCC Fox and Nichols race at Silverstone but it seems they preferred lots of specials to an original F&N car.
The MSL race is so much more representative than VSCC
The Nash jobs will win but we can give it a go,

[The SpeCTator]

Grant, thanks that is a highly detailed response.
The camera will be packed in anticipation.
No doubt we will see you there.