Nine decades of racers gear up for festival

DONINGTON Park will come alive this bank holiday weekend when hundreds of race cars spanning nine decades line up on the grid for the Historic Festival (May 4, 5 and 6).

Lightweight racing E-Types (right) will be amongst vintage machinery being put through its paces and there will be plenty of high-octane action and hardfought battles to enjoy.

And, with flypasts from the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire and Hurricane on Saturday and the BBMF Dakota on Sunday, there’s even action in the sky!

Festival visitors get free access to the race paddock, for those essential photos, and can walk the pitlane at lunchtime.

F1 car track demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday commemorate the famous 1993 European Grand Prix which took place at Donington Park, Group B rally cars will burn rubber, nimble historic karts demonstrate their agility, and vast numbers of classic cars gather in the infield.

Saturday sees a highlight for fans of the Ford Mustang - the members of Simply Mustangs UK are bringing more than 250 of them to Donington Park in a fabulous celebration of this iconic model, and 40 of them will lead the lunchtime parade.

Visitors can experience the automotive action first-hand, as the Sporting Bears Motor Club members will be offering passenger Dream Rides in a range of classic and supercars, including a supercharged, 740+bhp Ford Mustang and a McLaren 620S, in exchange for donations to Spinal Muscular Atrophy Research.

They can also enjoy new facilities introduced to the track over the winter, including a new café, bar and restaurant, Garage 39, located right in the heart of the race paddock.

Tickets on the gate start at £15 for Friday (qualifying day). More information at doningtonhistoric.com.