The Donington Historic Festival returns on 29-30 April 2023, for one of Europe’s biggest celebrations of retro motorsport.
An awesome line-up of racing machinery spanning seven decades will provide the on-track highlights, while a busy off-track programme of display and activity areas will ensure there’s plenty to see around the venue too.
Saloons, sports cars, and even pre-war machinery will again be represented on the thrilling race package, with hundreds of priceless cars engaging in battle. Dozens more will also take to the track in dedicated parades.
This year’s festival will also mark 30 years since Donington Park hosted a one-off Formula One race, which memorably featured Ayrton Senna’s opening ‘lap of the Gods’. Period F1 cars will take to the circuit for special demonstrations.
Hundreds of show display cars will again be on show around the venue, representing numerous clubs and collectors, while a busy paddock retail area will offer memorabilia, rarities and specialist items as well as easy access to the cars and drivers between races!
Tickets will be available on the gate
Under 13s Go Free!
Donington Historic Festival
Saturday 29 - Sunday 30 April 2023
00
Hours
00
Mins
00
Secs
Adult
£30.00 Gate Only
Teen Ages 13 - 15
£19.00 Gate Only
PLEASE NOTE: Advance booking closed at 16:00 Thursday 27 April. If you haven’t received your ticket(s) please contact us. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an Adult.
Souvenir Programme
Order your souvenir race programme in advance. Simply claim it on the day from one of our selected programme booths or circuit shops.
£10.00 Gate Only
Radio
Order your radio earpiece in advance and collect it at the circuit from one of our selected programme booths or circuit shops - click here for more information.
£12.00 Gate Only
Upgrade to the best view in the house! Hollywood Grandstand will be open on both Saturday and Sunday.
Hollywood Stand - Saturday
Hollywood grandstand provides an epic viewpoint of well over a third of the circuit! Watch the field scramble through Redgate on the first lap before filtering through the iconic Hollywood and Craner Curves section, which always provides plenty of action!
Adult
£15.00 Gate Only
Under 16
£10.00 Gate Only
Hollywood Stand - Sunday
The Hollywood grandstand provides an epic viewpoint of well over a third of the circuit! Watch the field scramble through Redgate on the first lap before filtering through the iconic Hollywood and Craner Curves section, which always provides plenty of action!
Adult
£15.00 Gate Only
Under 16
£10.00 Gate Only
Historic Touring Car Challenge and Tony Dron Trophy for '70s and '80s Touring Cars
This grid will also feature the Sixties Touring Car Challenge and U2TC for under two-litre Touring cars
Pre-War Sports Cars
All the famous pre-War marques are represented: Alfa Romeo, Alvis, Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, Frazer Nash, Lagonda, MG, Riley, Talbot, as well as a host of others
Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy & Stirling Moss Trophy
for pre-56 and pre-61 Sports Cars
Royal Automobile Club Pall Mall Cup 3-hour
for pre-66 GT and Touring Cars, pre-63 GTs and pre-60 Sports Cars
Jaguar Classic Challenge
for pre-66 Jaguar cars
Jack Sears Trophy
for 1958-1966 Touring Cars
Gerry Marshall Trophy
for pre-83 Group 1 and 1 ½ Touring Cars
Dunlop Allstars
for pre-‘66 Sports, GT and Touring Cars, and Classic Alfa Challenge (for 750-116 Alfa Romeos)
Superformance Ferrari Club Classic (SFCC)
The SFCC is an exciting multi-class racing series from the Ferrari Owners’ Club of Great Britain featuring a wide variety of Ferrari tipos including Mondials, 308s, 328s, 348s, 355s and more.
Car Clubs
Car clubs large and small will be putting on a great display over the weekend, creating a living motoring museum on the infield and Melbourne Hairpin. Expect to see hundreds of cars from Alfas to Jaguars and everything in-between on display from over 60 different clubs!
To register your interest please CLICK HERE.
For further information please email Karen Coe.
Track Parades
Creating a spectacle seldom seen will be the infield and Melbourne Hairpin clubs taking to the track for a classic car parade over the weekend. Something not to be missed!
Sporting Bears
Members of the Sporting Bears will be on hand to give visitors passenger rides on public roads surrounding Donington Park in one of their fantastic classic or supercars in exchange for a donation to a charity. It’s a great chance to get out and about in a very special car for a very special cause!
Williams FW15C - Static Display
Driven to race wins by Alain Prost at South Africa, San Marino, Spain, Canada, France, Great Britain and Germany, and to victory in Hungary, Belgium and Italy by Damon Hill.
McLaren MP4/7A - Static Display
Driven to race wins by Ayrton Senna at Monaco, Hungary and Italy and to victory in Canada and Australia by Gerhard Berger.
Benetton B193 - Track Demo
Driven by Michael Schumacher and Ricardo Patrese during the 1993 season.
Toleman TG-184 - Track Demo
Driven by Ayrton Senna drove in the 1984 Detroit GP and in qualifying for that year’s Monaco and Brands Hatch Grands Prix.
Minardi M198 - Track Demo
Raced in period by Shinji Nakano.
Benetton B190 - Track Demo
Driven to victory at Australia and Japan by Nelson Piquet.
1993 Grand Prix Exhibition
Donington Historic Festival will be hosting the Donington Park Exhibition. The brand new feature to the event will be featuring artwork and memorabilia related to Donington Park and its history.
Saturday Q&A
The Saturday Q&A session taking place at 16:00 will feature British Touring Car Champions Matt Neal, Colin Turkington, and West Surrey Racing Team Manager Dick Bennetts. The panel, led by Andrew Marriott, will have the trio recount their memories from 1993 and the British Touring Car Championship.
Sunday Q&A
Taking Place in the Donington Park Exhibition at approximately 13:00, Andrew Marriott will be hosting a Q&A, related to the 1993 European Grand Prix and Ayrton Senna. The Panel will consist of Former McLaren Chief Designer Neil Oatley, Ayrton Senna’s F3 championship-winning team manager Dick Bennetts, and clerk of the course David Scott.
Free Pit Walk and Autograph Session
Meet all your favourite drivers during the official pit walk, which will take place during the lunch break on both days.
Trade Stands
A trade area will be in operation all weekend in the paddock, with dealers and exhibitors plus stalls selling parts, accessories, clothing, artwork, books and other merchandise.
Free Parking
All general public and disabled parking is free of charge. Starkey’s Parking, overlooking the Craner Curves, Old Hairpin and Schwantz sequence, is available for £8 per car on Saturday or Sunday. All persons will require a valid entry ticket. A car hanger will be provided to all parking purchasers, and must be displayed in your vehicle.
Whether you're entertaining clients or celebrating a special occasion with family and friends, a hospitality package offers an exhilarating day out in fabulous surroundings. For booking enquiries contact 01474 875224 or [email protected].
Silver Hospitality
Our guests will enjoy morning coffee and breakfast pastries on arrival, a two course lunch and traditional afternoon tea. A pay bar will be in operation, serving house wines, a selection of beers, ciders and soft drinks. Located in the popular Goddards suites, this area enjoys views of the final corner action from a viewing balcony, as well as TV coverage, with commentary, and complimentary Wi-Fi all day. The package includes privilege parking, VIP shuttles to the suites, entrance tickets to the venue and suite, as well as an official event programme. Call 01474 875224 for bookings. Please note all bookings are subject to a postal fee.
Prices are £99.00 plus VAT per person.
Donington Park Farmhouse is located conveniently next to Donington Park Race Track and has direct pedestrian access to the pits and paddock entrance. Please note the farmhouse is not operated by Donington Park, so please visit their website for booking details.
