How To Experience The Best Of Donington Historic Festival 2025

The Donington Historic Festival 2025 returns on Friday 2 May, promising an unforgettable three-day celebration of classic racing cars, modern supercars, and family-friendly entertainment. Whether you’re into 1930s Bentleys or 2010s GT3 monsters, this year’s event brings something special for everyone.

A New Era for Donington Historic Festival

Motor Racing Legends, the team behind some of Europe’s finest historic race events, is now steering the DHF ship. Their first big move? Extending the festival to three action-packed days, which means more racing, more cars, and more excitement.

For the first time in DHF’s history, the full Donington Park Grand Prix circuit will be used. That means you’ll witness historic cars tackle corners like the Fogarty Esses, Melbourne Hairpin, and Goddards, just as they did decades ago – only now with even more variety.

90 Years of Donington: Honouring ‘Mad Jack’ Shuttleworth

The 2025 DHF coincides with the 90th anniversary of Richard ‘Mad Jack’ Shuttleworth’s win at the first Donington Park Grand Prix in 1935.

To mark the moment, the ‘Mad Jack’ race for Pre-War Sports Cars returns with a nearly full grid, featuring stunning machines from the interwar years. Special prizes and a historic atmosphere guarantee a fitting tribute to the early years of British motorsport.

From Pre-War Icons to Modern GT3 Legends

The Donington Historic Festival 2025 stretches across ten decades of racing history, from 1930s Bentleys to early-2010s supercars.

The GT3 Legends series is a bold new addition to the event. Expect to see fierce machines from Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, and others. It’s loud, it’s fast, and it’s unlike anything previously seen at DHF.

You’ll also find returning favourites, including the Royal Automobile Club Pall Mall Cup and the U2TC races for 1960s under-two-litre touring cars – now split into two standalone events for added track time.

What’s Racing – Day by Day

Friday 2 May: Off to a Flying Start

Friday kicks off with Formula Junior races – quick, agile single-seaters from the ‘50s and ‘60s. The U2TC cars also hit the track, as do competitors in the Superformance Ferrari Club Classic Series, which has three races throughout the weekend.

Qualifying sessions run throughout the day, giving visitors a taste of the weekend’s major events. Expect action from grids like HMRN Pre ‘63 GT, Royal Automobile Club Pall Mall Cup, and the much-anticipated GT3 Legends.

Saturday 3 May: Classic Meets Contemporary

Saturday begins with qualifying for the Historic Touring Car Challenge with Tony Dron Trophy, which brings out grunty machines from the ‘70s and ‘80s. Next up: timeless pre-‘56 and pre-‘61 sportscars in the Royal Automobile Club Woodcote and Stirling Moss Trophies.

The racing kicks off with the ‘Mad Jack’ Pre-War race, where a highlight will be the appearance of four Bentley Continuation cars – three Blowers and one Speed Six. With only 12 examples of each ever made, it’s a rare treat.

More thrills follow with Pre ‘63 GT, GT3 Legends, and further outings from U2TC and Ferrari Club Classic. The day closes with the two-hour Royal Automobile Club Pall Mall Cup, a fan favourite endurance race.

Sunday 4 May: Touring Car Heaven

Sunday delivers a festival of touring cars. The day opens with the Historic Touring Car Challenge and features multiple HRDC races:

• Gerry Marshall Trophy (Group 1 and 1/2 cars)
• Jack Sears Trophy (1958–66 touring cars)
• Dunlop Allstars and Classic Alfa Challenge (pre-‘66 sports, GT, and Alfa Romeos)

You’ll also enjoy another GT3 Legends race, a final Ferrari Classic Series battle, and the Woodcote/Stirling Moss Trophy race to round off the weekend.

Special Track Demonstrations

There’s more than just wheel-to-wheel action. Two special track demos will light up the circuit on Saturday and Sunday at DHF.

First up: the Williams FW22 Formula 1 car, once raced by Jenson Button in his debut season. Piloted by James Davison, its BMW E41 V10 engine delivers a spine-tingling roar that’s hard to forget.

Next, a brilliant display of super touring cars from the 1990s and early 2000s. Expect BTCC champions, quirky German entries, and some rarely seen oddities – all in full race livery.

Family Fun, Club Displays and More

DHF isn’t just for die-hard motorsport fans. There’s plenty for families and casual visitors to enjoy, too.

Off-Track Highlights:

• Open-access paddock
• Free pitlane walks
• Trade village and food stalls
• Sporting Bears charity rides
• Lunchtime parades from car clubs

Over 100 cars from Supercar Driver will also be on display, with exotic marques including Pagani, Koenigsegg, Ferrari, and Lamborghini.

For the little ones, there’s a funfair, circus workshops, face painting, and more. Brass bands provide a traditional soundtrack across the infield.

Look to the skies on Saturday and Sunday afternoons for flypasts by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. The Spitfire’s appearance adds a stirring, patriotic flourish to a weekend already steeped in British motoring heritage. Click here to secure your tickets.

Conclusion: Will You Join the Legends at Donington?

The Donington Historic Festival 2025 is more than just a throwback. It’s a bold, exciting celebration of everything that makes cars, racing, and motorsport history so compelling. From pre-war icons to GT3 greats, F1 legends to touring car titans – there’s no better way to spend the first May bank holiday weekend.

Will you be there trackside for the thunder of history?
Which car or race are you most excited to see?
Let us know in the comments below.

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