Multimillion-pound upgrade for Donington Park revealed

A multimillion-pound project to improve spectator facilities at Donington Park has been announced by the circuit’s owners.

The news follows the acquisition by Jonathan Palmer’s MotorSport Vision (MSV) Group earlier this year. Works have already started and will be completed in time for the 2018 racing season in March.

The upgrades include laying a hard surface on Paddock 3 for the first time, with power and water being added later in 2018. Existing toilet blocks in the busiest spectator areas will be demolished and replaced with larger, more modern facilities with increased capacity and improved baby changing facilities and disabled access. In addition, a new circuit office will be created in a building adjacent to the Formula E complex overlooking the paddock at its entrance.

One of the biggest changes will be a major new restaurant, bar and café in the heart of the venue, with more information to be made available early in 2018.

A new grandstand will be erected on the outside of Hollywood corner, offering views stretching from before Redgate corner all the way through the Craner Curves and beyond, through Starkeys and Schwantz Curve. Seats are already on sale alongside tickets for 2018 major race meetings.

The circuit’s blue and white livery will be rebranded with MSV’s red, black and white colours and the existing paddock entrance will become the circuit’s main entrance, which will be landscaped and smartened up over the winter. The main internal roads in that area will be resurfaced to improve both vehicle and pedestrian access between the car parks and the venue. Planned additions to the site for younger visitors will also make Donington Park a much more family-friendly place to visit.

And there will be improvements to the road tunnel between McLeans and Coppice, enabling easier access to the centre of the circuit, especially for campers.

Giles Butterfield, MSV’s group operations manager, said: “These are exciting times for MSV and we look forward to launching Donington Park’s 2018 season with vastly-improved facilities for all our customers, whether they are spectators, competitors or track day participants.

“MSV prides itself on providing a first-class experience for visitors at all its venues and the works that are underway at Donington Park will ensure this great circuit is brought in line with our other venues across the UK.”