Donington Park GP
Donnington Park GP circuit has a total length of 2.487 miles with nine corners that will test the skills of even the most experienced drivers. Compared to the National layout, Donington Park GP has two additional corners: the Esses and the Melbourne Loup.
Donington Park is the oldest motorsport circuit in the UK still in operation. The track was widened in 1933, made permanent and became a venue for Grand Prix car racing. The Melbourne Loop was added later on in 1985 and two years later the circuit hosted the first World Championship Grand Prix event. One of the most famous events at the restored circuit was the 1993 European Formula One Grand Prix.
Corner one – Redgate
Approaching the first corner, brake hard just after the blue painted triangle at the end of the pit lane. Don’t rush your turn in otherwise you will hit an early apex and run wide on the exit. On the inside of the corner there is an access road, and where the grass re-starts is where your clipping point for the apex is. Make sure you look through the corner to avoid running wide on exit.
Corner two – Craner curves
Leading into the top of Craner curves, follow the middle of the track; very slowly bringing the car over to the right and just after the curb on the right (it’s a blind turn in). Then slowly turn the car in so it clips the curb on the left as you go down the curves. Allow the car to run to the middle of the track keeping a constant left turn on before bringing it over to the left ready to turn in for Old Hairpin.
Corner three – Old Hairpin
Old Hairpin is a very important corner of Donington Park GP. If you enter too fast or too slow it will affect your momentum and overall lap time.
Avoid braking overly hard, but ensure you get the car turned in. Using all the flat curb on the inside will allow you to carry more speed through the corner. Look along way up ahead of yourself to prevent you allowing the car to run out too far. Good speed through here will allow you to have good momentum through the next flat left kink and up the hill.
Corner four and five – Mclean’s
On entry to the next left which runs straight into the right turn at Mcleans, place the car fully to the right. Get your turn in point correct to go flat out round the left. Then position the car just left of the centre point of the track and brake in a straight line ready for Mcleans.
Aim for a late apex clipping point at Mcleans to help prevent running wide and carry good power through the corner.
Corner six – Coppice
Brake positive enough to get the front of the car turned into the first apex (clipping point); then allow the car to follow the middle of the track. Looking along way up ahead exit the corner with good exit speed and towards the end of the exit curb. Don’t worry about the second apex.
Once turned into Coppice – accelerate hard.
Corner seven – The Esses
Onto the back straight gently ease yourself over to the right-hand side of the track ready for a left-right chicane. Depending what car you’re in the braking point for this corner is roughly where the circuit dips. Another reference point is the end of the museum building on the left-hand side of the track. Look a long way up ahead and aim to use all the flat curb on the left and right parts of the chicane. As soon as the car is turned in apply progressive to full power.
Corner eight – Melbourne Loup
Make sure you approach this tight hairpin from the left side of the track and brake as late as you dare. Slowly turn the car in to the corner to help pick up a middle to late apex and apply the power smoothly, but positively on the exit.
Corner nine – Goddards
Goddards is similar to the previous corner but this time turning left. Aim to brake a car’s length before the end of the curb on the right and keep the car in a straight line longer than you think before turning into the corner. Middle to late apex and aiming to carry good speed onto the pit straight to complete the lap.
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