DONINGTON PARK: THE PIONEERS

Dramatically designed and superbly printed, this impressive new history of the ups and downs of the Donington Park circuit is a vivid insight into its key personalities. It’s been a labour of love for author John Bailie who, over the past 20 years, has been compiling memories, finding photos, acquiring memorabilia and researching the track’s history; he also designed this smart, 348-page publication.

With detailed background on the estate and the determination of Fred Craner and the Derby and District Motor Club to kick-start motorsport here with the first motorcycle meeting in 1931, most of the book focuses on the 1933-’39 era.

Unsurprisingly, the glory years of the British Grand Prix feature prominently, not least the spectacular entry of the Silver Arrows in 1937. The revised track, freshly extended to three miles and 220 yards and including the new Melbourne Loop, witnessed 12 meetings that year, among them the first Tourist Trophy sports-car race and the third Grand Prix on 2 October. Fred Craner’s dream of hosting the Auto Union and Mercedes-benz teams had come true.

Following the Grand Prix, Mercedes team manager Alfred Neubauer wrote a complimentary note to Craner about their visit, but advised that sections of the track should be widened and the severe Melbourne Hairpin modified with a more gradual apex. This is referenced here, together with Bill Boddy’s reports from the time plus a colourful selection of memories and a wealth of photographs.

The fascinating on-off crisis of the 1938 Grand Prix is well covered: Mercedes arrived for practice weeks before the event while the Auto Union team came by rail. After several calls to return due to political dramas, the event was rescheduled for 22 October and was famously won by Tazio Nuvolari.

Other historic highlights include the first tests of the ERA E-type and its frustrating debut in the Nuffield Trophy, the last major race before WW2, followed by the army’s occupation of the park.

The final chapters cover the attempts to revive the circuit, including the achievements of the Wheatcroft family, with Doug Nye, Ian Phillips and Rick Hall providing hugely entertaining insight into working with the charismatic and often-irreverent Tom. It closes with Jonathan Palmer and Motorsport Vision’s transformation for a new era.

A neat touch throughout is the comparison of historic locations with present developments which, combined with extensive maps and track drawings, illustrates clearly how Donington has evolved.

A full set of results as an appendix would have been a worthwhile addition, but the rare photos capture the epic drama – and the evocative images include many remarkable behind-the-scenes shots.

Published on the 80th anniversary of Nuvolari’s victory, but sadly just as the track’s world-famous museum closed, this is a fine tribute to the great characters that made Donington Park. MW

£85 John Bailie, Silver Fox. ISBN 978 5272 2997 6

‘Rare photos capture the epic drama and include many remarkable behindthe-scenes shots’