One of the UK’s biggest celebrations of retro racing, the Donington Historic Festival returns in 2024 with two days of enthralling racing action. 

Hundreds of classic machines will return to action. And rather than being museum pieces, these epic cars will be pushed to their limit, harking back to the days when Donington Park was the host for Grands Prix in the 1930s.

Huge variety will include pre-war sports cars, tin tops spanning multiple decades, and fire-spitting GT machinery made famous at Le Mans. The weekend also celebrates the 100th anniversary of Bentley's first win at Le Mans, with special displays and demonstrations on-track.

There's hundreds of other classics on display around the venue, courtesy of numerous car clubs and individual owners. Look out for some truly spectacular examples on the infield and in dedicated areas in the paddock, with some taking part in special parade laps.

There’s also a themed trade area offering unique memorabilia and specialist items, and the paddock itself is open all weekend!

Display Car Applications are now closed

Tickets will be available on the gate

Under 13s Go Free!

Donington Historic Festival

Saturday 04 - Sunday 05 May 2024

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Admission Prices – Please note under 13s are admitted free of charge

Weekend Admission (Saturday - Sunday)

  • TWO PACKED DAYS OF RACING AND DEMOS
  • HUGE INFIELD CAR DISPLAYS
  • OPEN PADDOCK ACCESS AND MORE
Adult Ages 16 and above

£50.00 Gate Only

Teen Ages 13 - 15

£30.00 Gate Only

Saturday Admission

  • BUSY PROGRAMME OF QUALIFYING AND RACING
  • CAR DISPLAYS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Adult Ages 16 and above

£30.00 Gate Only

Teen Ages 13-15

£20.00 Gate Only

Sunday Admission

  • BUSY PROGRAMME OF QUALIFYING AND RACING
  • CAR DISPLAYS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Adult Ages 16 and above

£30.00 Gate Only

Teen Ages 13 - 15

£20.00 Gate Only

Race Event Extras

Souvenir Programme

Order your souvenir race programme in advance. Simply claim it on the day from one of our selected programme booths or circuit shops.

£10.00 Gate Only

Starkey’s Car Parking

Starkey’s Parking, overlooking the famous Craner Curves, Old Hairpin and Schwantz sequence of corners, is available in advance for £10 per car on Saturday or Sunday. All persons will still require a valid entry ticket. A car hanger will be provided to all purchasers, and must be displayed in your vehicle. All other public parking outside the circuit is free. 

£10.00 Gate Only

Radio

Order your radio earpiece in advance and collect it at the circuit from one of our selected programme booths or circuit shops - click here for more information.

£12.00 Gate Only

Grandstand Seating

Upgrade to the best view in the house! Hollywood Grandstand will be open on both Saturday and Sunday.

=Hollywood Stand - SAT AND SUN

Hollywood Stand - SAT AND SUN

The Hollywood grandstand provides an epic viewpoint of well over a third of the circuit! Watch the field scramble through Redgate on the first lap before filtering through the iconic Hollywood and Craner Curves section, which always provides plenty of action!

Adult

£15.00 Gate Only

Under 16

£10.00 Gate Only

What's On Track

='Mad Jack' for Pre-War Sports Cars

'Mad Jack' for Pre-War Sports Cars

The ‘Mad Jack’ for pre-war sports cars, some more than 100 years old, will feature behemoth Bentleys, Bugattis, Aston Martins, Frazer-Nashes and more from a pioneering bygone age take to the track.

=Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy & Stirling Moss Trophy

Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy & Stirling Moss Trophy

The Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy and Stirling Moss Trophy combined will feature a range of ‘50s and early ‘60s sports cars, including icons like the Jaguar D-type, Maserati 250S, Lister Jaguar Knobbly and more.

=Royal Automobile Club Pall Mall Cup

Royal Automobile Club Pall Mall Cup

The epic, three-hour Royal Automobile Club Pall Mall Cup features pre-’66 GT and Touring Cars, with categories for pre-'63GTs and pre ‘61 Sports Cars. 

=Historic Touring Car Challenge and Tony Dron Trophy for '70s and '80s Touring Cars

Historic Touring Car Challenge and Tony Dron Trophy for '70s and '80s Touring Cars

Motor Racing Legends Historic Touring Car Trophy and Tony Dron Trophy with Sixties Touring Car Challenge with U2TC encompasses three decades of Touring Cars in one massive grid. 

=HRDC Gerry Marshall Trophy

HRDC Gerry Marshall Trophy

The HRDC Gerry Marshall Trophy adds tin top heroes from the pre-’83 Group 1 era to the Donington Historic Festival line-up. These retro saloons will entertain in a 45-minute feature race.

=HRDC Jack Sears Trophy

HRDC Jack Sears Trophy

The HRDC Jack Sears Trophy for 1958-1966 tin-tops evokes the formative years of touring racing with thundering V8 Falcons, Mustangs and Galaxies battling nimble Lotus Cortinas, Alfa GTAs and pesky Mini Coopers and more. 

=HRDC Dunlop Allstars and HRDC Classic Alfa Challenge

HRDC Dunlop Allstars and HRDC Classic Alfa Challenge

The combined HRDC Dunlop Allstars for pre-’66 Sports, GT & Touring Cars and HRDC Classic Alfa Challenge for 750-116 Alfa Romeos will feature a variety of cars, capturing the atmosphere of ‘50s and ‘60s allcomers racing whilst celebrating an iconic marque.

=Superformance Ferrari Club Classic

Superformance Ferrari Club Classic

The only classic Ferrari racing series in the world returns to the Donington Historic Festival in 2024 for more wheel-to-wheel. Expect a range of machines up to the era of the 355 Challenge, including the 308, 328, 348, 355, 456, 550, Mondial and more.

=Historic Motor Racing News Pre ‘63 GT

Historic Motor Racing News Pre ‘63 GT

'The Historic Motor Racing News Pre ‘63 GT series brings Short Wheelbase Ferraris, DB4GT Astons, AC Aces, SZ Alfas and Lotus Elites – all to genuine pre-1963 specification.

What's Included

2003 Bentley Speed 8

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Bentleys first win at Le Mans, The famous 2003 Bentley Speed 8 car will be on display and is expected to take part in an on-track demo on each day of the festival. This is the first of five Speed 8 Chassis Built and made its racing debut at the Sebring 12 Hours. 

EXP Speed 8 Le Mans GT prototype

The Bentley EXP Speed 8 Le Mans GT prototype will also feature at the festival with a display and is expected to take part in demonstrations across the weekend. As Bentley prepared for its first competitive return to Le Mans after seven decades, the EXP was a development car for Bentley. 

Guy Smith Q&A

2003 Le Mans-winning Bentley driver Guy Smith – who is also racing at the event - will take part in a Q&A session alongside Howden Haynes, Data Engineer for Team Bentley during their 2001-2003 Le Mans campaign, giving the audience the lowdown on Bentley’s return to the epic endurance race after a gap of 70 years.

Battle of Britain Memorial Flypasts

Eyes to the skies each day of the Festival, when we are treated to a flypast from a Spitfire/Hurricane duo from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Donington Park Exhibition

Donington Historic Festival will be hosting the Donington Park Exhibition. The returning feature will be featuring artwork and memorabilia related to Donington Park and its history.

Mustang 60th Anniversary

The Donington Historic Festival is proud to announce a commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Mustang. Throughout the weekend, attendees will have the opportunity to witness a display showcasing various marks of the Mustang, spanning from its inaugural first generation to the latest models fresh off the showroom floor.

Rob Huff Q&A

Rob Huff will participate in a Q&A session on Saturday at 14:00, discussing his return to the British Touring Car Championship and his experiences in international racing.

Car Clubs

Car clubs large and small will be putting on a great display over the weekend, creating a living motoring museum on the infield and Melbourne Hairpin. Expect to see hundreds of cars from Alfas to Jaguars and everything in-between on display from over 60 different clubs!

Applications are now closed!

Old Tom Display

Returning to Donington Park, "Old Tom" was commissioned in 1932 for J.G. Shields of Donington Park. It was employed in the construction of the original circuit and roadways across the premises.

Sporting Bears

Members of the Sporting Bears will be on hand to give visitors passenger rides on public roads surrounding Donington Park in one of their fantastic classic or supercars in exchange for a donation to a charity. It’s a great chance to get out and about in a very special car for a very special cause!

Simulator Experience

Perfect Acceleration will be in attendance with simulators for you to experience driving the Bentley Speed 8 around the world-famous Circuit de la Sarthe. Sessions are £10 per person.

Free Pitwalks

On Saturday & Sunday, during lunch visitors will be able to get up close to magnificent machinery in the pit lane and meet the drivers moments before they commence battle around Donington Park.

Trade Stands

A themed trade area will be in operation all weekend, offering unique memorabilia and specialist items.

Free Parking

General Public and Disabled Parking is free of charge. Starkey’s Parking, overlooking the Craner Curves, Old Hairpin and Schwantz sequence, is available for £10 per car on Saturday or Sunday. All persons will require a valid entry ticket. A car hanger will be provided to all Starkey’s Parking purchasers, and must be displayed in your vehicle.

Enjoy the VIP Experience

Whether you're entertaining clients or celebrating a special occasion with family and friends, a hospitality package offers an exhilarating day out in fabulous surroundings. For booking enquiries contact 01474 875224 or [email protected].

Silver Hospitality

Our guests will enjoy morning coffee and breakfast pastries on arrival, a two course lunch and traditional afternoon tea. A pay bar will be in operation, serving house wines, a selection of beers, ciders and soft drinks. Located in the popular Goddards suites, this area enjoys views of the final corner action from a viewing balcony, as well as TV coverage, with commentary, and complimentary Wi-Fi all day. The package includes privilege parking, VIP shuttles to the suites, entrance tickets to the venue and suite, as well as an official event programme.

Prices are £105.00 plus VAT per person.

Hospitality Information

Gold Hospitality

Our guests will enjoy morning coffee and hot breakfast rolls on arrival, a two course lunch and traditional afternoon tea. A complimentary bar will be available, serving house wines, a selection of beers, ciders and soft drinks. Located in the exclusive Redgate suites, this area enjoys views of the first corner action from a viewing balcony, as well as TV coverage, with commentary, and complimentary Wi-Fi all day. The package includes privilege parking, VIP shuttles to the suites, entrance tickets to the venue and suite, as well as an official event programme. Please note all bookings are subject to a postal fee.

Prices are £120.00 plus VAT per person.

Hospitality Information

Weekend Camping

Donington Park Farmhouse is located conveniently next to Donington Park Race Track and has direct pedestrian access to the pits and paddock entrance. Please note the farmhouse is not operated by Donington Park, so please visit their website for booking details.