Donington Plans Revealed

[bella]

the trace leading from the melbourne loop is the very old one that stretches beyond the market car park in a field. you can see it on google earth if you look hard enough.

and yeah, the spitfire wasn't there this year certainly

[JimW]

Yes, the Spitfire is no longer there.

Perhaps Herr Tilke will bring it back. (Yes, I know it's a cheap joke!)

Jim

[ascarracinguk]

the spitfire on the craners has been there all the time, although the wings have fallen off recently...apparently idiots at the rock festival did that so maybe its away being repaired...one sad thing to see go...well 2 are the dunlop bridge and redgate lodge which will be demolished.

[wills]

They did managed to build a Motorcross track on the infield this year but with this plan that is sure to go. So will the Download rock festival which isn't such a bad thing considering that could be held in any open field.

Shame they had to resort to Tilke to design it, but as things are going I'm not too confident this modification to Donnington will be done. The good thing about this plan is that you can have 2 separate circuits and therefore 2 sessions of trackdays in 1 go!!!

As for access, you must be barmy mad to drive there. Would be better off parking at my friend's in Long Eaton and bike it from there. Sorry but 1 main entrance to a grand prix venue from a small B road isn't gonna cut the mustard here!!

[Dutton]

It is miraculous that the proposed changes don't seem like they will destroy the place. It is indeed arguable that it will be an improvement. Remarkable, really.

The access issues, though...they read rather monstrous, and, well, therein lies a bit of a pickle.

I remain a tad skeptical about any of it every happening (or at least in time for the GP), but, well, maybe it will...

[pirenzo]

It looks OK, as modern circuits go. I notice that this is only phase one? I presume phases 2 and 3 will take place after 2010 and will involve changes (not necessarily to the layout itself) elsewhere on the circuit. As presented here though it shouldn't be bad for overtaking, and all the good corners are still there

If this goes ahead at all, I still can't see it lasting beyond its first contract.
Bernie gets Tilke to design all Formula One tracks because he is trying to create uniformity of presentation (for want of a better expression) across all F1 circuits. The scenery, location and layout may change, but everything else remains the same. Every circuit should be tidy, well presented, the height of modernity and giving the appearance of no expense spared.
And somehow, nowhere in the UK (least of all that bleak and muddy field that is Donington) could ever quite match up to Bernie's vision of the ideal F1 circuit. And I suppose all the while the government aren't willing to open the coffers it's all the less attractive.

Then again, I still think that should we end up with no Grand Prix in this country I still feel it would really be no loss to most of us. A Grand Prix on TV could be anywhere once the race starts, and there are plenty of countries who could draw the token crowd.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Flat12-Aircool

I think it looks good, it certainly would persuade me to go back to Donington once these changes are done.

It does look OK and it's a little nearer to where I live (just North of where the cooling towers used to be *sob*).It also remains to be seen as to what sort of monetary reduction will be inflicted upon us and I'm still skeptical of the ability of the current road system to do a job that it has difficulty in doing even for some of the minor meetings!

[johntt]

I was very sceptical as to what they would do but having seen the plans i'm impressed.

The Redgate-Coppice sequence has been kept like they said it would and the current national track has been maintained.

The Esses/Melbourne loop was only added to bring it up to MotoGP specs and the changes look rather good, the new infield section runs in a natural bowl and has a good degree of elevation change.

The two shorter circuits both look good and the western track which uses the current pitlane would make a great club track.

[JimW]

Originally Posted by ascarracinguk

the spitfire on the craners has been there all the time, although the wings have fallen off recently...apparently idiots at the rock festival did that so maybe its away being repaired...one sad thing to see go...well 2 are the dunlop bridge and redgate lodge which will be demolished.

The Spitfire on the inside of the Old Hairpin went early this summer - completely. When it went it still had one wing.

The Download festival never got anywhere near that bit of the circuit.

Regards

Jim

[JimW]

Originally Posted by johntt

. . .

The two shorter circuits both look good and the western track which uses the current pitlane would make a great club track.

I agree. Short and with significant elevation changes. I find it difficult to visualise the sight lines but I suspect viewing could be excellent.

The position of the Club house is good but who will be in there?

Jim

[Alex Hodgkinson]

Originally Posted by bella

the trace leading from the melbourne loop is the very old one that stretches beyond the market car park in a field. you can see it on google earth if you look hard enough.

Nope, that's not what it is. Having been there today and had a good look around I can only presume that it's another bit of circuit planned for the future. It looks very Tilke-esque to me anyway.

[Sodemo]

Hasn't the current pit complex only just been built?

[JimW]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

Hasn't the current pit complex only just been built?

Yes but it only works for bikes. (At least at this level anyway.) And the compromises made to get those in are all too evident. Botch job.

They were never going to get F1 (or, it has to be said, decent big meeting cars) in there. Just too small. Actually I intend to do some measurements (using Google Maps) and see how the proposed new pits compare with Silverstone.

When I get time!

Jim

[Flat12-Aircool]

Originally Posted by Alex Hodgkinson

Nope, that's not what it is. Having been there today and had a good look around I can only presume that it's another bit of circuit planned for the future. It looks very Tilke-esque to me anyway.

I think you and Bella are both correct, the Melbourne loop did extend further but I think it used to extend into another council district or something so made it very difficult as regards planning permission.

Whether it's on a "wish list" that if they could get permission from the separate authority, it's something they'd like to do.

It'll be interesting to see what the length of the proposed changes are because most new circuits are about 3.5 miles long, and Donington is only 2.5 miles at the moment. So with these initial changes I bet it'll take Donington upto about 3 miles, which kind of leaves the door open for this possible Melbourne loop extension.

[duke_toaster]

Yes, it went much further down in the 1930s.

[KA]

Originally Posted by JimW

I agree. Short and with significant elevation changes. I find it difficult to visualise the sight lines but I suspect viewing could be excellent.

The position of the Club house is good but who will be in there?

Jim

Bernie......


(unless of course it's for DPRAC, to replace their Portakabins and little open grandstand at the top of the Craners- in which case I'm renewing my membership immediately..... )

http://www.dprac.co.uk/

[KA]

Originally Posted by Flat12-Aircool

I think you and Bella are both correct, the Melbourne loop did extend further but I think it used to extend into another council district or something so made it very difficult as regards planning permission.

Whether it's on a "wish list" that if they could get permission from the separate authority, it's something they'd like to do.

It'll be interesting to see what the length of the proposed changes are because most new circuits are about 3.5 miles long, and Donington is only 2.5 miles at the moment. So with these initial changes I bet it'll take Donington upto about 3 miles, which kind of leaves the door open for this possible Melbourne loop extension.

that's right- the old Melbourne loop extended quite a way beyond the new one- it's still there as a service/access road from memory, and I'm sure that at some point it crosses the Leicestershire/Derbyshire county boundary

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by JimW

They were never going to get F1 (or, it has to be said, decent big meeting cars) in there. Just too small.

But they get the BTCC. Oh wait, you said "decent".

[JimW]

Have a look at http://www.kolumbus.fi/leif.snellman/t4.htm for a map of the original circuit (one variant). The original Melbourne loop is still there, down past where the Sunday market is currently held.

The map can be aligned using RedGate.

Regards

Jim

[mac]

I like it. For the first time ever, I think the powers-that-be have actually improved a classic circuit.

I'm happy with it.

[Flat12-Aircool]

Just a question if anybody knows, whats in that massive building thats going to be demolished to make way for the new pit-straight?

I seem to remember that when I was there a couple of years ago, it just looked like a big warehouse or something...

[ascarracinguk]

yep its just a big exhibition centre, usually has car boot sales in

[Alwaysfirst]

Doesn't it hold their car collection? If it does then where are they planning on putting that? Or are they just going to sell it off...which would be a shame but maybe it's part of their cunning plan to be able to afford all of the changes.

[Racer 35]

Nope, the Donington Collection ishoused in the building near the main entrance, and still shown on the new layout.

From my point of view the new track looks really good, especially the new loop, whic I guess will be downhill as it heads towards the old hairpin. I can't wait to race on it. My only grumble (and it's a small one) is that I really liked the old Coppice corner with it's blind turn in and 'false' apex curbs. That the whole section from Redgate to Mcleans is intact is a blessing, especially the Craner Curves/Old Hairpin part.
Let's just hope it alll comes together now!

[bella]

Originally Posted by KA

that's right- the old Melbourne loop extended quite a way beyond the new one- it's still there as a service/access road from memory, and I'm sure that at some point it crosses the Leicestershire/Derbyshire county boundary

correct, see here - the old loop extends down the two roads beside the marshals campsite, out of the circuit boundaries, and turns back in the sunday market area. it's clearly visible. in older evolutions of google earth it wasn't freshly tarmaced at the end.