Looking ahead to the Summer as a way of seeing a way through the constant rain that MotorMartin is underneath at the moment my thoughts turned towards one of the shows that MotorMartin is to attend and report upon, namely, The Donnington Historic Festival. And now, exciting news has arrived at MotorMartin Towers that the unmistakable sound of Formula 1 engines will echo round Donington Park on Saturday 30th April and Sunday May 1st as historic Formula 1 cars stage a series of spectacular demonstrations on the first two days of the Donington Historic Festival (that takes place on 30th April, 1st & 2nd May 2016). Superb!
The Historic Festival organisers have confirmed to MotorMartin that the youngest Formula 1 demo cars will be the 2002 Jordan EJ12 from Takuma Sato’s F1 debut year, the ex-Michael Schumacher 1992 Benetton B192, and the 1990 Camel Lotus 102 (ex-Derek Warwick/Martin Brundle/Johnny Herbert).
The previous two decades will be represented by the ex-Rupert Keegan 1977 Hesketh 308E, 1983 Williams FW08 (ex-Keke Rosberg/Jacques Laffite), the ex-Jean-Pierre Jarier/Piercarlo Ghinzani/Corrado Fabi 1983 Osella FA1-D and two Tolemans. The 1985 TG-185 is ex-Teo Fabi, while the 1984 TG-184 was AyrtonSenna’s regular test car throughout 1984, and is the car in which he caused a sensation in Friday practice for the British GP at Brands Hatch, setting the fastest time in both of the day’s sessions.
MotorMartin can confirm that Donington Park is a magnificent spectator circuit, having watched many Superbike and MotoGP races there in the ’90s, as well as being a firm favourite with drivers, and new viewing areas in the infield will give the crowds a superb vista as the historic Formula 1 machines storm round the track, Lamborghini V12, Ford DFV and Hart engine notes among the power units blending to form a very distinctive melody. From the classic Camel Lotus yellow to the Hesketh’s Penthouse/Rizla design, colourful period liveries will also make for some great photo opportunities out on track and in the paddock.
The organisers have made sure that across 17 exhilarating races, the Donington Historic Festival will showcase some 400 world-class competition machines from the 1920s to the 1990s. The Festival will also pay tribute to earlier Grand Prix racing, when it celebrates the 80th anniversary of Richard Seaman and Hans Ruesch’s victory in the 1936 Donington Grand Prix by staging the HGPCA Nuvolari Trophy, with a grid of iconic Grand Prix and Voiturette cars up until 1950.
And if that was already enough to excite the Motorsport fan in your family, then away from the competitive action, the ever-popular historic rally cars will be burning rubber once more, as the mighty Group B machines and the cars of the Historic Rally Car Register entertain the crowds. Historic karts will also return to Donington Park for the event, as will dozens of car clubs, who will gather in the Club Village in the infield. The race and rally paddocks are both open-access and always draw big crowds.
A single-day advance discounted ticket for the Donington Historic Festival costs £21 and a two-day ticket £34, while a three-day weekend ticket costs just £48 (on-the-gate prices will be £28, £45 and £65, respectively). Children aged under 16 are admitted for free. Advance discounted tickets can be bought via www.doningtonhistoric.com and through the 24-hour ticket hotline 0844 873 7355*.
*calls to the 24-hour ticket hotline are charged at 7p per minute plus your network access charge.
So there you have it. Even more reasons to get yourself organised early, save some money and start planning, what should be, an amazing weekend out.
MotorMartin will be there, pop along and say hello.
Where will you go?