Donington Park - Project GP 2010

andy97 · 10 Jul 2008, 09:58 (Ref:2248533)

The BBC are reporting that Donington will commence its re-development plans at the end of this racing season:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/l...re/7499078.stm

New pits & paddock are to be built but interestingly the existing pits/ paddock will also be retained. The track is to be lengthened to 3 miles & include a fast sweeping corner.

Anyone know any more - there's no daigram of the proposed new layout sadly.

R59 · 12 Jul 2008, 07:16 (Ref:2249566)

Allegedly, the new pits complex will start at Coppice, and there will be an infield loop, probably between McLeans and Coppice at a guess, as they want to leave Redgate/Hollywood/Craner/Old Hairpin/McLeans alone.

Leaving the existing complex as is makes sense. You can keep the Hoi Polloi out of the posh Ecclestone Only Enclosure easier that way!!

redshoes · 5 Nov 2008, 23:15 (Ref:2329110)

http://www.donington-park.co.uk/even...one_grand_prix

Don't know how long this has been on the website but I've only just spotted them. The 'Master Plan' document is the most interesting.

The Esses becomes little more than a minor curve in an otherwise long straight from Coppice to Melbourne. The return from Melbourne continues in an in-field loop, rejoining at the old start/finish straight. There's still a link road to by-pass the Melbourne loop similar to the current National layout. The two further links either side of Starkey's Bridge which looks like it two possible shorter layouts, one using the old pit lane, the other using the new pit lane.

From a spectator point of view, most of the in-field slope overlooking the Old Hairpin will be lost and it looks like it might not be possible to walk between Craners and McLeans in-field.

***Chris Y*** · 6 Nov 2008, 10:52 (Ref:2329325)

That's been the plan for a while, 'Shoes. I think it even appeared in Autosport.

JamesH · 6 Nov 2008, 11:04 (Ref:2329334)

That track layout looks pretty good. They effectively have two completely standalone circuits - each with own pitlane - great for increasing capacity on track days etc, and for training/testing.

I hope they get it done.

**ScotsBrutesFan** · 6 Nov 2008, 12:55 (Ref:2329385)

Have they even "broken ground" on any of the development yet?

Frailloop · 6 Nov 2008, 18:01 (Ref:2329577)

Very little work has been started yet - at least visable changes. The big earth bank that runs from Coppice to Dunlop Bridge still there except a small section. Exhibition centre is untouched.

Almost the whole infield is off limits and being treated as a building site.

Planning permission may be the hold up, but that's only a story.

Given the lack of building work going on elsewhere once the go ahead is given I should think things should change quickly. Of course has 3 big bike meetings - May, June and July (I think) - and I would expect the infield to be open then.

Al Weyman · 6 Nov 2008, 19:58 (Ref:2329651)

I like the look of that shame that the clubbie events will probably never get to use it i'd love to wind the old chevy up down that straight and there are some nice LHD friendly left hand corners incorperated, they will probably sling us on one of the small circuits.

JIMGOD · 22 Nov 2008, 12:26 (Ref:2339494)

planning delayed.
link here

Flat12-Aircool · 11 Jan 2009, 19:51 (Ref:2369557)

Things are starting to get moving...

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72728

I've just been doing some measuring on Google earth and I reckon that when the changes are complete then the big new Straight going from Coppice down to Melbourne is going to be the longest in the country. Even longer than the Silverstones Hanger straight and also Snettertons Revett straight!

I'm really looking forward to seeing how these new changes work out. Let's face it, love them or loath them something had to be done to improve Donington because at the moment it's a bit of a dump tbo.

**Adam43** · 12 Jan 2009, 19:25 (Ref:2370130)

From my personal point of view they could have left it as it was. A great circuit.

westfieldbend · 12 Jan 2009, 19:39 (Ref:2370137)

apparantly the national circuit is staying the same?

**Adam43** · 12 Jan 2009, 19:54 (Ref:2370151)

Quote:

Originally Posted by westfieldbend

apparantly the national circuit is staying the same?

Here are the full plans: http://www.donington-park.co.uk/formula-one-plans.

The circuit 'master plan' is here:
http://www.donington-park.co.uk/file...aster_plan.pdf
The national circuit will be similar, but here are the differences as I see it:

The straight heading toward redgate has moved slightly and is a slight curve.
The last chicane will be different. No longer a right left flick
Coppice has been moved further from McLeans and looks like it is no longer double apex.
The start finish is on the last
The start/finish and pits have moved to the previous straight.

redshoes · 12 Jan 2009, 20:17 (Ref:2370169)

We seem to have overlooked one very important thing, what's happening to the Redgate pub?

MikeHoyer · 12 Jan 2009, 20:25 (Ref:2370176)

No great loss to be honest, they will just have to build a better pub!

westfieldbend · 12 Jan 2009, 21:01 (Ref:2370201)

i see the chicane has changed, but wont they keep the old start line and garages - they were new a couple of years ago!

MikeHoyer · 12 Jan 2009, 21:10 (Ref:2370204)

They are on that pdf map. Assuming they will stay.

**Adam43** · 12 Jan 2009, 21:10 (Ref:2370205)

I wondered that too. From the plans it seems they could keep them. It even looks like they are replacing the current pitlane (red shading) for that purpose. Which would be good, I'd rather have Redgate as the first corner than that chicane.

GroupOfOne · 12 Jan 2009, 21:40 (Ref:2370223)

They're definitely keeping the old pit complex, but with a new pitlane. I read that it will be used as a support race pit/paddock area. Also they can use it with just the short west circuit - in affect they'll be east and west short circuits available, both of which could be used simultaneously.

Al Weyman · 12 Jan 2009, 21:59 (Ref:2370231)

I think keeping the old pits was always proposed, I had a chat with the barman at the Redgate last season and he explained it that way.

brickkicker · 20 Jan 2009, 20:49 (Ref:2375574)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GroupOfOne

They're definitely keeping the old pit complex, but with a new pitlane. I read that it will be used as a support race pit/paddock area. Also they can use it with just the short west circuit - in affect they'll be east and west short circuits available, both of which could be used simultaneously.

Will that mean that the speed bumps in the pit lane will be taken out

ChrisA · 20 Jan 2009, 21:57 (Ref:2375626)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

I think keeping the old pits was always proposed, I had a chat with the barman at the Redgate last season and he explained it that way.

It's amazing how the ''bar staff'' always seem to know more than anyone else.

I don't know how you can affordto drink in the Lodge Al, especially at their prices!

Farbrooke · 21 Jan 2009, 10:14 (Ref:2375959)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisA

It's amazing how the ''bar staff'' always seem to know more than anyone else.

Same in any company - want to know anything ask the tea lady or the cleaner.

JimW · 21 Jan 2009, 14:17 (Ref:2376142)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamAshmore

Here are the full plans: http://www.donington-park.co.uk/formula-one-plans.

The circuit 'master plan' is here:
http://www.donington-park.co.uk/file...aster_plan.pdf
The national circuit will be similar, but here are the differences as I see it:

The straight heading toward redgate has moved slightly and is a slight curve.
The last chicane will be different. No longer a right left flick
Coppice has been moved further from McLeans and looks like it is no longer double apex.
The start finish is on the last
The start/finish and pits have moved to the previous straight.

There is a more interesting document at http://paccess.nwleics.gov.uk:90/WAM...e=&pageCount=1. Being written by Herr Tilke (or his agents) it is a bit waffly as it is aimed at the public sector for planning consent but it makes the four circuit layouts pretty clear. Personally I agree with whoever said that the new South West circuit should be good. Short enough to make more of the racing decent and with the best two existing corners plus a great change of elevation and a possibility of another good (new) corner.

Personally I hope the full GP circuit never gets used, that long straight will make for deadly dull racing.

Regards

Jim

Dave Brand · 21 Jan 2009, 16:52 (Ref:2376248)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimW

Being written by Herr Tilke (or his agents) it is a bit waffly

It was written by a German whose grasp of English syntax is some way off perfect; better than my German, though!

Quote:

Personally I agree with whoever said that the new South West circuit should be good. Short enough to make more of the racing decent and with the best two existing corners plus a great change of elevation and a possibility of another good (new) corner.

It looks good - and an appropriate length for typical Donington manning levels.

Quote:

Personally I hope the full GP circuit never gets used, that long straight will make for deadly dull racing.

That's its raison d'être!

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