The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season opener takes place on the Donington Park National circuit this weekend (27/28 April), with the UK’s leading tin top racers set to do battle for the first time in 2024. Here's everything you need to know to make the most of your trip to the circuit.
Timetable
Click here to download a timetable for this weekend's event.
Gate opening times
Public admission to the circuit is from 7.30am on both days. Access to the circuit will be from the main Paddock Gate and Coppice, and the Esses gate will be open on Sunday.
Venue Map
Click here to view a map of the venue.
How to get here
Please click here for directions to the venue.
Tickets
Additional tickets will be available upon arrival at the venue. Adult tickets are £25 on Saturday and £39 on Sunday, while discounted rates are available for teenagers aged 13-15 and senior citizens. Children under 13 go free all weekend. Adult weekend tickets are also available on the gate for £58, with discounts again available for teenagers.
If you have chosen to have tickets posted you will need to bring the originals to the circuit as copies and receipts are not accepted.
All advance tickets have now been dispatched and were sent by either Recorded or Special Delivery, meaning a signature is required. If you haven't received them, contact us urgently during office opening hours at [email protected] .
Print-at-home/e-tickets tickets are emailed on the day of purchase. If you haven't received yours, log in to your MSV account to access them - your order confirmation email will not gain you admission to the venue. All e-tickets can be printed or scanned from a mobile device; turn up the brightness if you can!
Please have any printed tickets separated before arriving at the gate.
Camping
The campsite opens at midday on Friday (26 April) and closes at midday on Monday (29 April), with facilities provided in full during this time. The campsite is accessed via the Donington Park East Entrance (DE74 2RP) which is the closest entrance to East Midlands Airport and Castle Donington village. Upon arrival, please follow all campsite signage.
BBQs are permitted but must be raised off the ground. Open fires are not permitted. Animals are not permitted anywhere on site at Donington Park, with the exception of guide/assistance dogs. Drones are also not permitted.
Click here to view a map of the campsite.
All campsite spaces have been sold in advance, and there will be none available to purchase during the weekend.
Parking
All public car parking is free of charge. Please follow the signage and instructions from the roadside stewards when arriving. Please note ground conditions will be softer than usual following the recent record rain in England.
Programmes
Souvenir programmes will be available for purchase around the venue for £8. Programmes will be sold from the ticket booths, the Megastore, Paddock newsagent and the Hollywood Grandstand.
Starkey's Parking
The Starkey's Parking area, overlooking the Craner Curves and Old Hairpin, is sold out on Sunday.
Vehicles will need to head to the Coppice gate upon arrival, and all people inside the car will need to have a valid entry ticket. A car hanger will be provided to all Starkey's Parking purchasers, and must be displayed inside the vehicle on the day.
Limited Starkey's Parking is available on Saturday at £5 per car.
Disabled Parking
There will be a dedicated parking and viewing area at Coppice corner available on a first come-first served basis. Please present your blue badge when you arrive and you'll be directed to the correct location, via the Coppice gate.
Food and drink
The Garage 39 restaurant, bar and café will be open throughout the event serving a variety of food and refreshments. A number of other outlets will be operating around the venue in the most popular spectator areas.
Infield access
Infield access this weekend will be available through the tunnels in the paddock, the Esses and at Coppice.
Grandstand seating
Seating in the Hollywood Grandstand will be available to purchase on the day priced at £10 on Saturday for adults and £30 on Sunday. Discounted rates are available for teenagers aged 13-15 and for children. Grandstand tickets will be available from the booths at the grandstand and the Megastore in the paddock.
Trade and merchandise
The MSV Megastore in the paddock will be open, offering a range of Donington Park memorabilia and gift ideas. There will also be a dedicated trade area in the paddock near Redgate corner and the infield plateau next to the food village, with an assortment of motorsport memorabilia, championship partner stands, and manufacturer attractions.
Big screens
Big screens will show all the action on Sunday. These can be found opposite the Hollywood grandstand, on the infield and opposite the campsite at Schwantz curve.
Off-track entertainment
Evening entertainment will be available in the Garage 39 restaurant on Friday and Saturday nights from 7pm, including the Racals Party Band playing live on both nights.
The free of charge BTCC pit lane walkabout and autograph session returns during the lunch break on Sunday, and is due to commence at 13.10. Fans are asked to join the queue at the side of the Garage 39 restaurant from 12.45.
Radio Donington
Radio Donington will be broadcasting live commentary, interviews and spectator information throughout the weekend on the new frequency of 94.3FM. Earpiece radios can be purchased from the Donington Park Megastore, ticket booths and at the Hollywood Grandstand, priced at £12.
Gazebos and other structures
You are welcome to bring small, open fronted tents and other small outdoor structures (without sides) to general spectator areas, but we reserve the right to take down larger gazebos and other similar temporary structures if we consider them dangerous, or they obscure the views of others. Please be considerate to those around you and speak to a member of staff if you have any concerns.
Here to help
Excellent customer service is important to us, and all our staff are trained to help you make the most of your visit to the circuit. Whether you need assistance to find a lost child or to locate a disabled toilet, please ask one of the many uniformed staff you will see throughout the venue.
Security
The safety and security of all our visitors is paramount, so please be aware you may be subject to bag searches and security checks at our venue. We would also politely ask, as an additional security measure, that you put luggage tags on all of your bags detailing your name and mobile number, so that it can be easily identified. Please do not leave your bag or personal belongings unattended at any time.
No dogs/animals permitted on site
No animals are permitted anywhere on site, with the exception of guide/assistance dogs. Please contact our call centre on 0344 225 4422 or email [email protected] during office opening times to advise if you will be bringing a guide/assistance dog.
Scooters/bicycles - prohibited in public areas
Please note that use of personal two-wheeled vehicles, including scooters, e-scooters and bicycles is strictly prohibited within public areas of the venue.
Please respect our neighbours
We kindly ask that all ticketholders driving to the circuit this weekend drive or ride carefully and considerately both when travelling to and leaving the venue.