Donington Historic Festival

[Peter Mallett]

I've been pondering the weekend. Yes it was great to see a grid of touring cars from the 60s through to the 90s. Yes it was good to be part of it but, I just couldn't make the car go. It was two secs off my previous time and the new engine just didn't pull, couldn't even catch the 1600s! So back to the engine man this week.

All that said it was good to chat with Grant and Garry even Mike Bell made a brief appearance!

Glad to see Iain have such a good time, and Zef, sorry to read about your woes, there's always the next one.

The meeting was my first visit but I agree it had more of a big clubbie feel than a festival. No bad thing I guess.

Have to thank John Eales and Ken Clarke for rebuilding the engine and getting the car on the grid respectively. Hopefully we'll be back to full power by Silverstone.

[andy97]

What is "a festival" meant to be like?

If it's dressing up in period costume to reinforce a class divide then forget it.

If it has wider involvement of motor clubs and other displays then Donington had that to a certain extent.

If it's just a label to attract high profile series, cars, and drivers then Donington had that, too.

Personally, id rather it was a big clubbie, if that's what it was, than a place to pounce about and be seen, and full of people who just want to know where the hospitality tent is.

Remember that the village of Castle Donington got involved by welcoming a small number of cars to parade through the village on Saturday evening, and that was well attended with a good atmosphere (could have done with more cars though). You don't get that a clubbie and the locals normally moan! It's the third time they have done this and it is perceived as the circuit trying to give something back by spreading "the festival" beyond its own gates, to encourage a sense of occasion and to get people in to the village centre. In future, please get involved.

As it happens, a number of non motor racing friends of mine in the village did moan about the "constant irritating drone" from the circuit and they thought that 3 consecutive days with little respite was too much. Perhaps it is, for enthusiasts and non enthusiasts alike? But, be careful what you wish for.

[grantp]

I think it's a bit tricky try to build a festival from scratch during a period when the circuit has been and is undergoing a lot of development. What sort of festival it can be, given the somewhat industrial nature of the location, remains to be discovered.

There is a lot of potential in terms of space especially once the infield is fully operational again. It's getting there but not quite ready for all out use IMO.

I know some people who are regular car club attendees and were at the event in some previous years. Not this year though. The weather potential, state of the infield access last time they attended and the length of the races put them off. I think there were couple of other points mentioned as well but they were the main ones.

They were right about the weather and, for their interest, the races. As for access - the infield roads and the new tunnel are getting there. Maybe next year they will be bedded in.

Being a noisy meeting the effect on the local area is influenced by the wind direction. This year that seemed to be blowing the noise to the village and up the valley to Aston and Weston on Trent.

On the other hand with the weather the way it was I expect most people would be indoors behind their double glazing.

On the other hand the pressure is likely to grow as the new housing developments head up and over the hill getting closer and closer to the circuit.

I assume the number of electric powered historic racing vehicles is more than a little limited?

Maybe Jaguar should consider building its new historic racers as EVs with one eye on future brand continuity.

[zefarelly]

I have no gripe with the 'festival' label, its just a name. I haven't been to Donnington for 11 years, so it was all new to me anyway. Some of the 'festivals' do seem to just be a big clubbie with additional commercialism, at all levels, it costs us more to race, more to be there and everyone else more to boot.

I probably will bounce back Iain, but right now, I have less time, no money and I've run out of bits, a £10k pile of scrap is not what I was expecting first race out on a 4 hour old engine. my stockpile of donor engines has all but gone.

[retrognome]

I agree, more low key than Silverstone Classic (No Masters), but better value for spectators, and probably competitors as well. But where were the spectators? I guess the weather forecast put them off. Not sure the meeting deserves three days, but I like the less officious atmosphere.Excessive race distances were questioned by some as was the continued racing in atrocious conditions. Images www.retro-speed.co.uk

[percy]

A few photos from Saturday here

[grantp]

Tall chap or low car?

[grantp]

Originally Posted by The1inOrange

That was one of my team you spoke to. I was clearing gravel off the track after the session.

Ah ha.

You may like these then.

The first one dug in and then backed out. I was impressed that work out. Not a nice place to be sitting at the time.

Meanwhile a rather excellent snatch for one who had dug in well. The uplift afforded by the angle of the tow strap seemed to be handy.

Good work on a live track in the rain.

[grantp]

The track was clearly somewhat treacherous during the Jag race on Monday.

I was witness a number of partial and full spins and a few people "using the outside line" unexpectedly.

Something of a masterclass from Martin Stretton who lost the back end exiting Coppice - half way to the following straight when on the outside of the track. A neat 360 spin to the inside but still on the tarmac scrubbed off speed and had him facing the right way. So gear engaged and off he went with very few seconds lost.

Lap 17 I would guess based on the timing sheets.

[retrognome]

Originally Posted by grantp

The track was clearly somewhat treacherous during the Jag race on Monday.

I was witness a number of partial and full spins and a few people "using the outside line" unexpectedly.

Something of a masterclass from Martin Stretton who lost the back end exiting Coppice - half way to the following straight when on the outside of the track. A neat 360 spin to the inside but still on the tarmac scrubbed off speed and had him facing the right way. So gear engaged and off he went with very few seconds lost.

Lap 17 I would guess based on the timing sheets.

It was almost two races in one, the top drivers showing just how professional and talented they are.

[grantp]

Originally Posted by retrognome

It was almost two races in one, the top drivers showing just how professional and talented they are.

Unless there was more than one occurrence of an "event" for number 11 at the chicane I watched the one you have captured there from Coppice. I didn't see what initiated it. I was quite surprised to see it heading back onto the track a couple of laps later.

To be fair, given the conditions and length of the race, I thought driving standards were quite high - at least those I saw from my location. Rather a lot of damage appeared at some point mid race but mostly it seemed to be cosmetic.

Every lap there seemed to be 3 or 4 groups of 4 or more cars exiting Coppice and rushing down to the esses side by side yet mostly they sorted themselves out and seemed to get through the braking zone and esses as a group. In the dry it's unusual for that to happen for more than a couple of laps before enthusiasm gets the better of judgement.

[gary396]

Anyone interested in having a say about the event, the organisers have asked for feedback via the following survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HKD2NTR

[grantp]

Originally Posted by gary396

Anyone interested in having a say about the event, the organisers have asked for feedback via the following survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HKD2NTR

Thanks Gary - did that.

A few more pics.

[chunder]

Only reason I did not go this year was because of some of the gloss you got in the PR was not there when I went. A few no shows in the pits and also as statics. Over zealous security once or twice.

And being brutally honest I read an article about Mr Wheatcroft being a Nazi memorabilia hoarder and I know it's silly put things like that put me off giving the man money!!

[brands]

Originally Posted by gary396

Anyone interested in having a say about the event, the organisers have asked for feedback via the following survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HKD2NTR

I have had my say from a mere spectators point of view

[retrognome]

Originally Posted by brands

I have had my say from a mere spectators point of view

And me. Couple more images from my two galleries.

[Mike Bell]

According to the commentator that plane was a 'Spitfire' but looks darn like a Hurricane to me! He must have been young.......

[John Turner]

Definitely a Hurricane, as you say, Mike

[Mike Bell]

I was bit concerned it could have been a Mk1 Spit, but agree with you- it isn't!

[grantp]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

I was bit concerned it could have been a Mk1 Spit, but agree with you- it isn't!

It was also meant to be several hours earlier.

I'm glad I didn't blink - nearly missed it.

Anyone know if the Dakota flew over on Monday. They rescheduled that to 5pmProbably good as any earlier it would have been lost in the rain.

[gary396]

No the Dak was cancelled Grant due to the weather although by then it was sunny at Donington (glorious for the pre-War race) but that didn't last though and it was probably poor weather wherever it was coming from.