Donington Park undergoes upgrades for 2018

Donington Park is undertaking a major upgrade plan this winter including a new restaurant, circuit office, grandstands and rebranding having been acquired by the MotorSport Vision Group (MSV) this year.

In August it was confirmed MSV were given the green light to takeover the Leicestershire circuit by the Competition and Markets Authority having initially reached an agreement in January this year. MSV, which also runs Brands Hatch, Snetterton, Oulton Park, Cadwell Park and Bedford Autodrome, have secured a 21-year lease of the Donington Park estate and had key plans in place to upgrade the circuit after this season's racing calendar wrapped up to prepare for 2018.

The major changes include making the paddock entrance into the circuit’s main entrance with current pedestrian and vehicle roads resurface, work that had commenced earlier this year, while a brand new grandstand is being constructed on the outside of Hollywood corner to provide views from Redgate all the way to Schwantz Curve which will boost circuit capacity.

A new circuit office next to the Formula E office buildings is being built plus a new restaurant and bar for spectators on the Donington Park grounds along with a complete rebranding to come into line with MSV’s colours – switching from blue and white to red and white.

“We look forward to launching Donington Park's 2018 season with vastly-improved facilities for all our customers, whether they are spectators, competitors or track day participants,” Giles Butterfield, Group Operations Manager at MSV, told WorldSBK.com. “The works that are already underway at Donington Park will ensure this great circuit is brought in line with our other venues across the UK.”

Donington Park will host a number of major championships in 2018 including World Superbikes, British Superbikes and the British Touring Car Championship. The circuit was also in the running for MotoGP but missed out on a deal to Silverstone.