Donington Park will roar into life from Friday 2 May to Sunday 4 May as the Donington Historic Festival (DHF) returns with a thrilling new format, marking a spectacular celebration of motorsport that spans ten decades. Now under the direction of Motor Racing Legends, this beloved fixture of the classic racing calendar expands to a three-day event for the very first time — and the result is nothing short of extraordinary.
A Historic First on a Legendary Circuit
In a significant milestone, DHF 2025 will utilise the full Donington Park Grand Prix circuit — a first in the festival’s history. Spectators will be treated to the spine-tingling sights and sounds of classic machinery battling it out through iconic corners like Fogarty Esses, Melbourne Hairpin, and Goddards Hairpin, reviving the spirit of a venue steeped in racing lore.
Adding poignant resonance to the weekend is the 90th anniversary of Richard ‘Mad Jack’ Shuttleworth’s triumph at the inaugural Donington Park Grand Prix in 1935. To honour this landmark moment, the festival’s Pre-War Sports Cars race—affectionately known as the ‘Mad Jack’—returns with a near-capacity grid and commemorative prizes.
From Pre-War Legends to GT3 Glory
Whether it’s the nimble elegance of 1950s Formula Juniors or the brutal speed of modern GT3 beasts, DHF 2025 delivers an awe-inspiring cross-section of racing history. A highlight of this year’s expanded programme is the debut of Motor Racing Legends’ new GT3 Legends series, unleashing racing icons from Ferrari, McLaren, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, and more. These modern classics offer a dynamic counterpoint to the vintage glamour of their predecessors.
Elsewhere, U2TC fans will be delighted to find two standalone races for the ever-entertaining under-two litre 1960s touring cars, while the revered Royal Automobile Club Pall Mall Cup ups the ante with a two-hour endurance challenge running into the Saturday evening.
Race Action Across Three Unmissable Days
Over the course of 17 races across 12 premier grids, DHF 2025 offers an unparalleled array of historic competition. Friday begins with Formula Junior and U2TC on track, alongside the opening battle of the Superformance Ferrari Club Classic Series. Qualifying highlights include pre-‘63 GTs, pre-‘66 GT and touring cars, pre-‘61 sports cars, and of course, the ‘Mad Jack’ for Pre-War Sports Cars.
On Saturday, the stars of the 1970s and ’80s hit the circuit in the Historic Touring Car Challenge with Tony Dron Trophy, while the Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy & Stirling Moss Trophy grids add elegance and drama. The first GT3 Legends race brings a burst of modern horsepower, followed by a crescendo of endurance action in the Pall Mall Cup.
Sunday brings the weekend to a crescendo with a celebration of classic tin-tops. Fans can enjoy the spectacle of the Gerry Marshall Trophy, Jack Sears Trophy, and the lively HRDC Dunlop Allstars & Classic Alfa Challenge. Meanwhile, the final GT3 Legends and Superformance Ferrari races ensure the festival ends with a flourish of speed and style.
More Than Just Racing: A Family-Friendly Festival Atmosphere
While the on-track action is world-class, DHF offers a complete weekend experience for enthusiasts of all ages. This year’s headline track demos are a crowd-puller in their own right: the Williams-BMW FW22 F1 car, once driven by a young Jenson Button, will howl around Donington with its glorious 800+bhp BMW E41 V10 engine, piloted by James Davison.
The second demo takes a nostalgic turn with a collection of iconic super tourers, ranging from Spa 24 Hours winners to BTCC legends and rare continental entries — all in their full period race liveries.
Off-track, the atmosphere is vibrant and inclusive. Visitors can wander through the open-access paddock, enjoy free pitlane walks, browse the trade village, or take in the vast displays of cherished vehicles brought by dozens of car clubs. The Sporting Bears charity passenger rides, Supercar Driver parades, and over 100 exotic cars on display only add to the sense of occasion.
For younger visitors, there’s a host of children’s entertainment, including a funfair, circus skills workshops, and face painting — plus, the soulful sounds of live brass bands and the majestic flypasts from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, featuring an appearance from a legendary Spitfire.
Tickets and Info
Advance tickets are excellent value, starting at just £15 for adult Friday entry, with weekend tickets priced at £45 for adults and £28 for teens aged 13–15. Children under 13 go free, making this one of the best-value family days out in the motorsport calendar.
Advance bookings close at 4pm on Wednesday, 30 April, after which tickets will be available on the gate. For full event details and to secure tickets, visit www.doningtonhistoric.com.
Donington Historic Festival 2025 promises a mesmerising blend of speed, heritage, and community — a rare chance to witness a century of motoring marvels in full flight on one of Britain’s most storied racing circuits. Whether you’re a lifelong motorsport aficionado or simply looking for a memorable family day out, this is one event you won’t want to miss.
