Donington Park Sunday 20th March 2016


After 2 weekends where cars merely turned left or right twice each lap at Birmingham Wheels and Hednesford, it was time to head to my first circuit action of the season where turns are slightly more numerous!
My spiritual home of Donington Park was the venue and resident club at the circuit, the 750MC were the organisers. I attended on the Sunday of the 2 day meeting and 12 races were scheduled on the venue's National circuit.
The definite star championship of the day were certainly the masses ranks of Toyota MR2's, the vast majority being the Mk2 version. 48 cars were entered and a two-thirds format was used so all drivers got 2 races out of the 3 on the programme. Not only did the MR2's provide the days biggest grid but also provided the days best action with all 3 races being entertaining affairs. 
750MC have a wide variety of championships on their portfolio and after pioneering the "Hatch" phenomenon of the late 90's/early 00's it was good to see a rebirth for the Hot Hatch Series. Combined with the Stock Hatch grid to make 17 starters, the ethos of the early days has somewhat disappeared as original intentions to be a true "budget" class have been superseded by the Stock Hatches being almost solely for Citroen Saxo's and the Hot Hatch grid was formed mostly by Ford Fiesta ST's. The Classic Stock hatch race saw 23 starters with Lee Scott in the good old Ford Fiesta XR2i winning out.
The days only red flag came in the Locosts as 5 cars went off at Redgate on the first lap. A shortened re-start saw a cracking multi-car battle for the lead and 2015 champion, Danny Andrew emerging from a squabbling pack to take the spoils.
A strangely subdued pair of Renault Clio 182 races didn't exactly set the world on fire and the little cars seemed to have too much grip so none of the usual "antics" they're renowned for.
Formula Vee was dominated by Paul Smith and a high attrition rate with 8 retirements from 24 starters.
A new championship for 2016 is the Armed Forces Challenge, a 40 minute race for saloon cars with drivers serving in the Armed Forces.  Pleasing to report 26 entries for what was the first of 4 races planned this season.
Sad to say the days poorest races were for the club's stalwart championships, the 750 Trophy and 750 Formula. With 13 and 10 starting respectively neither race was a thriller. The Trophy race in particular was just plain boring and with some very slow cars circulating, one wonders if the next few years will see the 750MC start to phase out it's older championships. 
Not a bad way to kick off the circuit racing season then with racing done and dusted by 5.15pm. Admission was £10 (discounted) and a programme was £3


Over the winter Donington have apparently spent £750,000 on circuit improvements. The Craner Curves hospitality suites have been demolished and there had been a lick of paint around the circuit. The humble spectator though is still confronted by poor toilets and favourite viewing spots that are unpleasant places to watch from....see above! It is now £17 on the gate to watch a club meeting this year and in my opinion that's too much. Silverstone are still charging just £10 for clubbies and £17 is a lot of money to watch a minor event. Donington is still to emerge from its rebuilding program and patience is required to see the circuit return to all its glory......



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