The Ultimate Recap: What Made Donington Historic Festival 2025 So Spectacular

The 2025 Donington Historic Festival (DHF) roared into life over the early May Bank Holiday weekend, offering three days of exhilarating motorsport action. From 2nd to 4th May, Donington Park’s Grand Prix circuit played host to over 300 historic racing machines, drawing a 13% increase in attendance compared to 2024. The event, now under the stewardship of Motor Racing Legends, showcased a blend of thrilling races, captivating demonstrations, and a vibrant atmosphere that delighted fans of all ages.

A Revamped Festival Experience

Motor Racing Legends’ takeover marked a turning point, introducing significant enhancements to DHF 2025. Notably, for the first time, the festival utilised the full Donington Park Grand Prix circuit, providing drivers and spectators with an enriched racing experience. In addition, the event expanded to a three-day format, allowing for a more extensive programme of races and activities. Meanwhile, new branding, reminiscent of iconic 1970s race car liveries, added a nostalgic touch to the venue’s appearance.

GT3 Legends Make a Spectacular Debut

A highlight of the festival was the debut of the GT3 Legends series, featuring early GT3 cars homologated between 2006 and 2012. The grid included formidable machines like the BMW Z4, Ferrari 458, and Morgan Aero 8 Supersport. Jonathan Mitchell dominated the series, securing victories in both races driving a Prodrive-built Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3. The GT3 Legends’ presence was a crowd-pleaser, both on the track and during the lunchtime pit walks.

Celebrating Motorsport Heritage

DHF 2025 paid homage to motorsport history with a diverse range of races:

• ‘Mad Jack’ for Pre-War Sports Cars: Gareth Burnett triumphed in his Alta Sports, echoing Richard ‘Mad Jack’ Shuttleworth’s 1935 victory.
• U2TC: 2003 Le Mans winner Guy Smith clinched both races in a Lotus Cortina, showcasing the enduring appeal of 1960s touring cars.
• HMRN Pre ’63 GT: Dario Franchitti and Gregor Fisken led a Shelby Cobra 1-2-3 finish, highlighting the prowess of early 1960s GT cars.
• Royal Automobile Club Pall Mall Cup: The two-hour endurance race saw father-son duo Shaun and Max Lynn secure victory in their Lotus Elan through strategic brilliance.
• Historic Touring Car Challenge with Tony Dron Trophy: Jonathan Bailey and Andy Middlehurst powered their Kyoseki Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R to overall victory, while Raphael De Borman won the Tony Dron Trophy in a Capri 3.0S.
• Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy and Stirling Moss Trophy: Olly Bryant and Kyle Tilley took overall honours in a Lotus XV, with Frederic Wakeman and Patrick Blakeney-Edwards winning the Woodcote Trophy in a Cooper T38.
• FJHRA ‘Silverline’ Championship for Formula Juniors: Ray Mallock won the front-engined race in a U2 MK2, while Alex Ames claimed the rear-engined race in a Brabham BT6.
• Superformance Ferrari Club Classic Series: Wayne Marrs secured two victories in his F355 Challenge, with Tim Mogridge winning the other race.
• HRDC Gerry Marshall Trophy Series and Jack Sears Trophy: Simon Lewis and Alex Brundle won the Gerry Marshall Trophy in a Jaguar XJS, while Peter Smith and Harri Reynolds triumphed in the Jack Sears Trophy driving a Lotus Cortina.
• HRDC Dunlop Allstars and Classic Alfa Challenge: Mike Whitaker Snr. won in a TVR Griffith, with Ben Colburn taking top honours for the Alfas in a GTAm Superformance.

Enthralling Demonstrations and Displays

Beyond the races, DHF 2025 featured captivating track demonstrations. Historic Formula One cars, including the ex-Jenson Button Williams-BMW FW22 and the ex-Giancarlo Fisichella Benetton B198, drew significant attention both in the paddock and on the track. The Super Touring demo showcased 17 iconic 1990s touring cars, such as David Leslie’s Vauxhall Cavalier and Fabrizio Giovanardi’s Alfa Romeo 156, evoking nostalgia among attendees.

Lunchtime parades featured a vast array of classic cars from numerous clubs, along with a stunning collection from Supercar Driver, creating a dynamic and engaging spectacle for visitors.

A Family-Friendly Festival Atmosphere

The festival’s open-access paddock allowed fans to get close to the historic machines, enhancing the immersive experience. Themed trade areas offered a variety of memorabilia and specialist items, while the presence of car clubs transformed the infield into a living motoring museum. The event’s success was reflected in the increased attendance, highlighting its appeal to both dedicated enthusiasts and casual fans.

Looking Ahead to 2026

The Donington Historic Festival will return in 2026, promising another weekend of thrilling races, historic demonstrations, and a celebration of motorsport heritage. With the continued involvement of Motor Racing Legends, the festival is poised to build on its success and deliver even more memorable moments for fans.

What were your highlights from the 2025 Donington Historic Festival? Did any particular race or demonstration stand out to you? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

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