With less than two months to go, the SCD Secret Meet continues to build on an already-packed schedule. Now spanning two full days of track running and paddock displays, the Secret Meet will bring together all things automotive and motorsport, taking place at Donington Park over 10-11 July.
With the event continuing to grow, the 2023 edition of the SCD Secret Meet will be the biggest to-date. The 48-hour automotive celebrations will host more than 500 cars, on track and throughout the paddock. One of the headline activities will be the all-new ‘Secret Meet Shootout’, pitching a varied and exciting range of sportscars and competition cars against each other and the stopwatch. Split over three classes – road, competition, and open wheel. – this will be a single flying lap around the famous Grand Prix circuit, with the whole session available via the SCD livestream.
Among the cars confirmed for the shootout are period racers, each having campaigned at the highest level. In its centenary year, the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be honoured with the Lister Storm GT1 driven by IndyCar legend, Dario Franchitti, and a Dallara SP1 driven by DK Engineering’s James Cottingham, while the Benetton B197 will add a sprinkling of Formula 1 glamour to proceedings, with Phil Stratford at the wheel. Bringing things up to the modern day will be the Rodin FZed single seat track car, to be driven by the brand’s test driver and successful racer, Oliver Webb. He will also be at the wheel of the latest Porsche 992 GT3RS for the session, while Aston Martin Factory Driver Darren Turner will be looking to the top of the timesheets with the new Valkyrie AMR PRO.
Another new addition to the event will be a paddock party on the evening of the first day, Monday 10 July, previewing the main track running day. The exclusive event, open to Supercar Driver members and ticket holders, will be an opportunity to experience the Donington Park paddock with more than 500 cars expected and exhibits displayed by event sponsors, and the Premier Partners; First Point Insurance, The Glenturret Whisky, Global Telemetrics, JBR Capital, McLaren Automotive and Pirelli.
Uninterrupted track running will be livestreamed throughout the day on Tuesday 11 July, giving an insight into the atmosphere and activities in the paddock. Amanda Stretton will, once again, lead the proceedings, supported by the world-class commentary team of David Addison, Paul O’Neill and Chris Dawes. The timed lap shootout will conclude proceedings, running between 15.15 and 17.00.
Commenting on the continuing growth of the Secret Meet and the prospect of the shootout track activity, Adam Thorby, Managing Director of Supercar Driver and the Secret Meet explained: “The Shootout is shaping up to be a real highlight of the Secret Meet, and we are excited to be introducing it with such a stellar line-up of drivers and cars. Last year we saw the unofficial lap record being broken by Harry Newey, which prompted this official timed shootout. Talking to those who are confirmed they are all in it to push their cars to the limit over one flying lap.
“The event itself is growing in stature, and we are hugely proud of the list of partners and sponsors who are now confirmed, and this is ensuring that there will be a lot to see both on and off track. With the presenting team, and the livestream broadcast as well, we are working to bring all the action of this exclusive event to as many people as possible.”
