Historic Festival

With the timetable now announced, spectators at the 2012 Donington Historic Festival can plan their visit and look forward to an unrivalled display of historic motorsport, as over 300 racing cars dating from the 1920s up to the 1980s take to the track over the weekend of May 5th and 6th.

Everything from huge pre-War Bentleys and glamorous 1960s sportscars to thunderous Group C sportscars and classic Touring Cars will be out on the circuit. To ensure that those who can only attend one day of the Festival are guaranteed a thrilling time, the organisers have structured the timetable to ensure an even mix of qualifying and racing on each of the two days.

The inaugural Donington Historic Festival in 2011 exceeded all expectations for attendance and, with ticket sales already significantly higher than they were at this time last year, and some 35 car clubs registered to attend so far, itÕs clear there will be even more enthusiasts there to enjoy the action in 2012. This year also includes a round of the E-type Challenge, giving Festival-goers the chance to see dozens of examples of one of the worldÕs all-time favourite cars being driven to the limit.

The provisional timetable is as follows:

Saturday, May 5th
09:00 Ð 13.20 Qualifying
13:20 - 14:10 Lunch Break / Demonstrations
14:10 - 14:55 ÔMad JackÕ for pre-War sportscars
15:10 - 15:35 HSCC Historic F2 - Race 1
15:50 - 16:50 RAC Woodcote Trophy for pre-56 sportscars
17:05 - 17:35 E-type Challenge - Race 1
17:50 - 18:30 JD Classics Challenge for 1966 to 1985 Touring Cars
18:45 - 19:45 Ô1,000kmÕ for pre-72 sports-racing cars

Sunday, May 6th
09:00 Ð 10:50 Qualifying
11:05 - 11:35 E-type Challenge - Race 2
11:50 - 12:50 Stirling Moss Trophy for pre-61 sportscars
12:50 - 13:50 Lunch Break / Demonstrations
13:50 - 14:15 HSCC Historic F2 - Race 2
14:30 - 15:30 Pre-63 GT
15:45 - 16:45 Group C sportscars
17:00 - 18:00 U2TC, Pre-66 under two-litre Touring Cars
Car clubs galoreÉ

Ranging from AC to XJS, the car clubs already scheduled to attend the Festival are almost an A-Z of classic motoring. Details of all attending clubs can be found on www.doningtonhistoric.com. Any clubs not yet registered need to do so through the Festival website by midnight on Friday, March 30th, to book a club display area and enable their members to take advantage of the special two-for-one ticket deal. Club registration is free of charge. All car club ticket bookings need to be made by midnight on Friday, April 20th.

On-site camping now available

ThereÕs good news for spectators who want to stay really close to the action for the whole weekend - camping will be available on the Donington Park site itself, outside the circuit wall, close to Gate 20. It costs £20 per person for the weekend (1pm Friday, May 4th Ð 1pm Monday, May 7th), regardless of whether the campers bring a caravan, motorhome or tent. Camping tickets are available for purchase in advance only.

Tickets

Day tickets for the Donington Historic Festival cost £18 in advance (£25 on the gate), while weekend tickets cost £30 in advance (£40 on the gate). Children aged under 16 are admitted for free. Entry tickets and camping tickets can be bought via www.doningtonhistoric.comand through the 24-hour ticket hotline 0844 873 7355.

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