Donington Park

Donington Park race circuit, located close to Castle Donington in the East Midlands was opened in 1931 and plays host to a wide range of events during the course of the year – although it is best known as the venue for the British round of MotoGP each season.

Initially used for motorcycle racing, Donington was resurfaced and extended to allow car racing in 1933 and held the first Donington Grand Prix in 1935. The famous Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union raced in events at the circuit before it was closed for the Second World War.

Donington remained out of action as a racing venue until the 1970s when it was purchased by racing enthusiast Tom Wheatcroft and reopened in 1977, albeit without using the old Melbourne loop. A new Melbourne loop was later added in 1985, leaving Donington with two different circuits on which to hold racing events.

The dream of taking the British Grand Prix to the circuit never happened, but Donington did play host to the European Grand Prix in 1993, when the late Ayrton Senna secured one of his finest victories for McLaren in wet weather conditions.

Aside from other motorsport meetings for series like the BTCC and BSB, Donington has also played host to a number of music concerts in recent years while the famous Donington Park Collection is home to the largest collection of Grand Prix cars anywhere in the world.