MSV Driving Gifts
and Driving Experiences

Donington Park
- Leicestershire

• Circuit Information

  One of the most internationally renowned and historically significant circuits in the world, Donington Park has been revitalised under MSV control and hosts numerous major national and international events.

  Donington Park is superbly located, with major cities Derby, Nottingham and Leicester nearby, and Birmingham less than an hour away. The circuit can be accessed from the nearby M1, A50 and A42 roads while international visitors can fly in to the neighbouring East Midlands Airport, with the main terminal just two miles from the circuit.

• Driving experiences at Donington Park

  

  YoungDrive! Driving Experience- £115

  Young drivers can take their first junior driving lesson from 11 years old with YoungDrive! – at Brands Hatch, Donington Park, Oulton Park, Snetterton or Bedford Autodrome.

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  YoungDrive! Plus Driving Experience- From £145

  Once young drivers have completed YoungDrive! they can take the next step with YoungDrive! Plus at Brands Hatch, Donington Park, Oulton Park or Bedford Autodrome.

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• Donington Park Circuit History

  Donington Park is the oldest motorsport circuit in the UK still in operation. Originally part of the Donington Hall estate, it was first used for motorsport on Whit Monday in 1931 on the narrow lanes that formed the access roads of the hall. The track was widened in 1933, made permanent and became a venue for Grand Prix car racing, with the final pre-war races featuring the legendary Auto Union Silver Arrows driven by Bernd Rosemeyer and Tazio Nuvolari.

  The circuit was closed at the outbreak of World War II, and was requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence to be used as a military vehicle depot. The land was purchased by businessman Tom Wheatcroft in 1971 who rebuilt the circuit and established the famous Grand Prix Collection at the site.

  Racing returned in 1977 and the circuit quickly became one of Europe's premier venues. With the addition of the Melbourne Loop section in 1985 came Grand Prix motorcycle racing with the first World Championship Grand Prix event in 1987. Eventually becoming known as MotoGP, Donington was the host venue for 23 years, and was also the location for the debut round of World Superbikes in 1988, an event still held at the circuit today. One of the most famous events at the restored circuit was the 1993 European Formula 1 Grand Prix, which was dominated by Ayrton Senna and featured the legendary opening lap, still described by many as the best in Formula 1's history.

  Under new ownership, ambitious plans to host the Formula One British Grand Prix from 2010 onwards were left unrealised, and with the circuit in a state of disrepair, racing ceased once more at the end of 2009.

  History repeated itself in 2010 as Kevin Wheatcroft, son of Tom, rescued the circuit and rebuilt the areas left heavily damaged by the previous leaseholders. Motorsport returned to the circuit once more in the Autumn of 2010.

  MSV acquired Donington Park circuit in 2017 and has already made significant improvements following a winter programme of major investment. The future of this circuit is now assured and its reputation growing by the day. 

• Donington Park Circuit Configurations
  GP Circuit
  - 2.487 miles

  National Circuit
  - 1.979 miles