Donington Grand Prix
Donington Park
Race information
Number of times held4
First held1935
Last held1938
Most wins (constructors)Italy Alfa Romeo (2)
Germany Auto Union (2)
Circuit length5 km (3.125 miles)
Race length400 km (250 miles)
Laps80
Last race (1938)
Pole position
Podium
Fastest lap

The Donington Grand Prix was a Grand Prix motor race held at the Donington Park circuit in Leicestershire, England, from 1935 to 1938.

The Donington Grand Prix was held just four times, but quickly rose to prominence as one of the most important races in Europe.[1] A fifth race was planned for 1939 but was cancelled due to the start of World War II.

Winners

Year Driver Constructor Report
1935 United Kingdom Richard Shuttleworth Alfa Romeo Report
1936 Switzerland Hans Rüesch
United Kingdom Richard Seaman		 Alfa Romeo Report
1937 Germany Bernd Rosemeyer Auto Union Report
1938 Italy Tazio Nuvolari Auto Union Report
1939 Race cancelled due to World War II[2]

History

The first edition of the Donington Grand Prix took place on 5 October 1935.[3] Circuit renovations were undertaken in preparation for the event, these included improving the spectator lot, installing loud speakers, and erecting new bridges at Coppice-lane, Redgate Corner and the Starkey Hairpin.[4]

The 1939 edition of the race was originally scheduled for 30 September, with Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union cars scheduled to enter, but was cancelled on 8 September due to World War II.[2] The circuit was closed in 1939 due to the war, when it was requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence and was converted into a military vehicle depot.[5]

Post-war

The circuit reopened in 1977.[6] The Donington Grand Prix Collection was created at the circuit which included cars from the Pre-war races, including a 1939 Auto Union car, which did not compete at the circuit, but did mark the first time that an Auto Union car had returned to the circuit following the 1938 Grand Prix.[7] Historic races were organised for 1979 and 1980, these included Pre-war events to commemorate the early Donington Grand Prix races.[8][9]

The circuit returned to hosting Grand Prix racing with the one-off 1993 European Grand Prix.[10]

Legacy

Although not considered an official British Grand Prix, the Donington Grand Prix is widely regarded as being on a similar level of importance. It was the only major international Grand Prix held in the United Kingdom during the 1930s, and paved the way for the United Kingdom's rise to international prominence in Grand Prix Racing after the second World War.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 Nye, Doug (1977). The British Grand Prix 1926-1976.
  2. 1 2 "Grand Prix Off". Derby Daily Telegraph. 8 September 1939. p. 5. Retrieved 23 November 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  3. ↑ "1935 Donington Grand Prix". Motorsport Database - Motor Sport Magazine. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  4. ↑ "Donington Grand Prix". Lancashire Evening Post. 2 October 1935. p. 11. Retrieved 23 November 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ↑ Wheatcroft, Tom (1999). Christopher Hilton (ed.). Hitler's GP in England. Haynes Publishing. p. 10. ISBN 1-85960-630-X.
  6. ↑ "Donington Re-born". Motor Sport Magazine. June 1977. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  7. ↑ "Super chance for racing fans". Atherstone News and Herald. 26 January 1979. p. 27. Retrieved 23 November 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. ↑ "A nostalgic fixture". Long Eaton Advertiser. 10 May 1979. p. 19. Retrieved 23 November 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  9. ↑ "Grand Prix cars of 1930's race at Donington". Long Eaton Advertiser. 17 July 1980. p. 30. Retrieved 23 November 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  10. ↑ "SEGA European Grand Prix - RACE RESULT". www.formula1.com. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
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