About Donington Park

One of the most internationally renowned circuits in the world, Donington Park continues to host major national and international events.

The circuit’s premier event is the annual visit of the FIM Superbike World Championship which is considered one of the best weekends on the bike racing calendar. Firm fan favourites also include the Bennetts British Superbike and Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championships, and the visits from the British GT and GB3 series.

Other major annual events include British Truck Racing, the Donington Historic Festival and the Classic Motorcycle Festival plus dozens of club car and bike meetings.

As well as being a world-famous circuit, Donington is also the longtime host of the Download rock festival, which attracts tens of thousands of music fans each year. A wide variety of exhibitions, shows and other concerts are held all year round.

Donington is superbly located with major cities Derby, Nottingham and Leicester all nearby and Birmingham is less than an hour away. The circuit is close to the M1, A50 and A42 roads and right by East Midlands Airport, with the main terminal just two miles away. 

Donington Park is the oldest UK motorsport circuit still in operation. The first racing took place in 1931 using the narrow roads that accessed the Donington Hall estate as it was then. In 1933, the track was made permanent and welcomed pre-war Grand Prix racing including the legendary Auto Union Silver Arrows driven by Bernd Rosemeyer and Tazio Nuvolari.

During World War II, the circuit was requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence to be used as a military vehicle depot. Racing didn’t return until 1977 after the land was purchased and the circuit rebuilt by businessman Tom Wheatcroft.

Quickly, Donington became one of Europe’s premier venues. 1985 brought the Melbourne loop extension and in 1987, the first Grand Prix motorcycle race. Eventually becoming MotoGP, Donington hosted the event until 2009. In 1988, the first ever World Superbike race was held at the circuit and the series still races there to this day.

In 1993, the circuit hosted the European Formula One Grand Prix, one of the most famous events at the restored circuit. The race featured a dominant and superb wet weather performance from Ayrton Senna. His opening lap is still described by many as the best in F1’s history.

In 2010, the circuit fell into a state of disrepair after a failed bid for the British Grand Prix and racing ceased at the circuit in 2009. History then repeated itself when Kevin Wheatcroft, son of Tom, rescued the circuit and rebuilt it for motorsport to return again to the venue.

The circuit was acquired by MSV in 2017 and made significant improvements following a winter programme of major investment. The future of the circuit is assured and its reputation grows by the day.