Motorsport enthusiasts in the UK were able to really enjoy the extended first weekend in May; the Donington Historic Festival (DFH) took place in the English village of Castle Donington from May 2 to 4, 2015, inviting thousands of fans to the big motorsport nostalgia festival with over 400 historic racing cars to marvel at, listen to and smell!
Nostalgia wherever you look
It wasn't just the vehicles that evoked a feeling of nostalgia. Announcements from the loudspeakers such as "Could Messrs John Cleland and Patrick Watts please make their way to the race control" triggered a hearty giggle from many a spectator and took them back in time.
The nostalgic feeling was also enhanced by the hundreds of classic cars on the infield, as well as the historic rally cars and go-karts that roared around the Melbourne hairpin.
Noises from all sides
Anyone who chose a spot in the middle of the paddock had the sounds of the racing cars on the track in one ear and heard the squealing tires of the rally cars in the loop on the other side.
At lunchtime, visitors could also enjoy the unmistakable engine noises of Formula 1 cars from the 70s, 80s and 90s, including vehicles such as an ex-Ayrton Senna Toleman or an ex-Schumacher Benetton, which were presented in typical Donington Historic Festival style.
Lots to see in the exhibition building
The feeling of being transported back in time already arose when the spectators arrived at the site and were first led to the exhibition building. There, historic rally cars, Formula 1 vehicles and super sports cars were on display, as well as some beautiful racing transporters that had done outstanding work on various racetracks over the years.
Exciting formula races
The variety and quality of the cars, drivers and starting fields was outstanding. Monoposto fans had nothing to complain about as around 70 Formula Junior cars battled it out in the FJHRA Silverline series. Will Mitcham won both front-engined races in a U2 Mk2 and Sam Wilson also recorded a double victory in the rear-engined races in his Lotus 20/22.
The historic Formula 2 cars of the Historic Sports Car Club (HSCC) also had two excellent races. Darwin Smith landed a one-two in his March 722 while the grid of pre-war cars, Grand Prix cars up to 1966, Voiturettes and Formula 1 cars brought some speed and beauty to the weekend.
Vehicles from the 20s to the 60s all did their laps together. Among them was Stephen Bond's Lotus 18, the car that Stirling Moss drove to victory in the 1961 Monaco Grand Prix. Another Lotus, driven by Peter Horsman, took the win on Saturday, while Jon Fairley was able to move up one place from Saturday to Sunday in his Brabham BT11 and took the win on Sunday.
Small and large touring cars
Touring cars with many so-called "tin-tops" were seen everywhere at the HRDC Touring Greats race, winning the hearts of the spectators. "Bluebell" the Morris Minor and many other small speedsters such as a VW Beetle, a Hillman Imp or an Austin A35 battled against the larger competitors for the top places. In the end, it was one of the little ones - the Austin A40 of BTCC driver Andrew Jordan and his father Mike - that crossed the finish line as the winner.
In the HRDC History of the BTCC 1958 - 1966 race, size and performance came to the fore. Here the Ford Mustang of Michael Whitaker and Eugene O'Brien beat the Ford Falcon of Mike Gardiner and Niki Faulkner by over 20 seconds.
The HSCC's Super Touring Car Trophy was present at the DHF for the first time with a wide range of colorful cars reminiscent of the paint schemes of yesteryear and cars covered in sponsor logos. This was also the series that evoked the Cleland and Watts statement on the loudspeakers and was the scene of a thrilling two-race battle between Patrick Watts and Stewart Whyte. Watts' Peugeot 406 emerged victorious, with Whyte's Honda Accord finishing in second place.
In the Historic Touring Car Challenge, Steve Dance and Tom Pochciol took first and second place, along with the hearts of the Capri fans at the club stands in the infield. Patrick Watts and Nick Swift took third place in their MG Metro Turbo. Touring car ace Steve Soper was another big name from years gone by, sharing the Rover TWR Vitesse with John Young.
Ex-Formula 1 driver Jackie Oliver joined Richard Shaw at the wheel of a BMW 1800 Ti/SA in the U2TC race to take second place behind the Alfaholics Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA of Andrew and Max Banks and five Ford Cortinas on their heels.
Rain and wind made for action and cold feet
The weather did its best to make things all the more exciting on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning with rain and freezing cold winds reminding many a spectator that they were there for the love and passion of the sport. The 1000 km 'mini-enduro' race on Saturday evening boasted a great starting field of World Championship sports cars including Lola T70s, Ford GT40s and a full eleven Chevrons. After 150 grueling minutes, the Broadley Lola T70 3B of Chris Ward and Paul Gibson was the first to cross the finish line.
On Sunday afternoon, blue skies slowly set in and the variety of racing cars in the Donington Park paddock shone in the sun. Now many fans also took the opportunity to photograph the beauties. And there was plenty to photograph, including some stunning sports and GT cars.
Lots of new things
The GT and Sports Car Cup was one of the series making its debut at the DHF this year. Austin-Healeys, Morgans, Aston Martins, Jaguars, TVRs and AC Cobras were on display. Leo Voyazides and Simon Hadfield took first place in their AC Cobra Daytona Coupe.
The HSCC Jaguar Heritage Challenge was also part of the event for the first time. An impressive selection of cars from the Jaguar Heritage Club could be admired in the paddock and the vehicles on the track were also a beautiful sight. C, D and E-Types, XK120s and 150s and a trio of Mk1s took part. The top ten places were taken by E-Types, with Martin O'Connell and Andrew Kirkaldy, British GT champion from 2005, winning the race against rivals such as 1988 Le Mans winner Andy Wallace in his 1957 Mk 1.
Sports cars and pre-war vehicles
The Royal Automobile Club's Woodcote Trophy for sports cars built up to 1956 also featured many Jaguar sports cars. The D-Type of Carlos Monteverde and Gary Pearson was one of the front runners, finishing second behind the Cooper T38 of Fred Wakeman and Patrick Blakeney-Edwards.
Wakeman and Blakeney-Edwars went on to win the Mad Jack race for pre-war cars with their Frazer Nash Super Sports against Richard Pilkington and his Talbot T26 SS. And in the Stirling Moss Trophy for cars up to 1961, it was a Lister one-two driven by Jon Minshaw and Phil Keen that won against Chris Ward's Costin.
Successful event
As the crowds slowly made their way home on Monday evening and the paddock emptied just as quickly as it had filled up on Friday, the founder of the Donington Historic Festival was satisfied:
"It was another great event. I would go so far as to say that this event had the best mix of vehicles to date. And the exhibition center as a new element of the festival is now the foundation, so to speak, on which we can build in the coming years. Probably the best thing is to see the smiling and happy faces of the spectators and participants when they leave. Donington Park is an exceptional circuit and we are honored to be able to hold the event here every year."
