DONINGTON’S WINTER SMORGASBOARD

There will be another appearance from Britcar's new 2016 UKV8 Chevrolet racer – Photo: Stevie Borowik

As the year begins to draw to a close with November upon us, there’s still time for track action to take place before we say goodbye to the 2015 motorsport season. Donington Park plays host to a Winter Raceday on Saturday with a variety of disciplines to satisfy every fan’s tastes.

Headlining the activities will be the final two races of the year for the MSA British Dunlop Endurance Series, along with classes for the Sports & Touring Car Championship and Britcar Trophy. This will be the last two races under Britcar’s current guise before new owner Claire Hedley spearheads a new era for the championship. Nevertheless, there’s still time for those who want to take away some last-minute silverware.

Favourites to win outright in both races have to be David Mason and Callum Lockie in the FF Corse Ferrari 458 Challenge. Winners of practically every single race they’ve started, you would be foolish to bet against them. That said, they may not have it so easy this time. A second team car is entered this weekend for Ivor Dunbar and GT ace Johnny Mowlem to give them some extra competition across the garage. Also in the mix has to be the Rollcentre BMW Z4 GT3 of Martin Short and Richard Neary, with Neary also set to take the wheel of the team’s Class 3 BMW M3 GTR throughout both races while Short handles the Z3 in Class 2 at the same time.

Also in the mix are Tockwith Motorsport with their Audi R8 GT3, due to be driven by Phil Hanson and Nigel Moore. Ian Heward and Darelle Wilson also return in their Porscheshop 911 RSR, although Wilson is also set for double duty as he will steer the DW Racing VW Scirocco entered in the Britcar Trophy contingent. We’ll also get another glimpse of the mighty new Chevrolet CR8, which will adorn the new-for-2016 UKV8 Series, with Giles Dawson set to be joined by MSA Formula driver Louise Richardson, who has a previous record racing in the Ginetta Supercup. A bonafide Australian V8 Supercar will also appear once again, driven as always by Alex Sidwell.

For those who love single seaters, they can look no further than the Monoposto Racing Club. It’s their third and final round of the Tiedeman Trophy, organized and run in tribute to the Club’s late founder Frank Tiedeman. It’s incredibly tight at the top of the points standings, as Ewen Sergison will pit his Swift SC99Z against the Van Diemen RF89 of Geoff Fern for the overall crown, with just a single point separating both. Other drivers to keep an eye on throughout will be Jeremy Timms, Shane Kelly, Tony Cotton and Terry Clark in their respective classes.

If that’s not exhilarating enough for you, then you also have the prospect of witnessing one of the fastest and craziest forms of motorsport in the country – the British Superkarts. You could easily dub these machines as micro F1 cars, with the drivers reaching unfathomable speeds while almost completely exposed to the elements. This is a form of racing which even motorcycling legend Valentino Rossi calls “quite incredible”. Both the F250 Cup and F450 National Challenge titles are up for grabs with James Hassall and Andy Bird competing for the former, while Stephen Clark and Phil Rowlands go head to head for the latter. They will also be accompanied on circuit by a small selection of Division 1 and F125 Superkarts as well.

Finally, if you prefer your motorsport from the good old days, then you cannot afford to miss the A-Series Challenge from our good friends at the HRDC. Four classes will see a wonderful selection of BMC-powered Pre-66 sports, saloon and GT cars take to the track. From Austins and MGs to Austin Healey Sebring Sprites and Minis, there will be many drivers vying for both class and overall glory. Two drivers of note will be newly crowned Avon Tyres Caterham Roadsport champion David Webber in the TG class aboard his Austin A40, as well as Adrian Barwick in his Mini Cooper S – a man with substantial experience in British GT, Caterhams and Ginettas.

You’d better bring your waterproofs and a rather large umbrella as the forecast shows rain and lots of it throughout most of the day. It’s set to get lighter towards the end, but conditions will remain tricky throughout the entire day. Unusually, it will also be rather humid at the same time with 15 degrees the top temperature and a low of just 8 degrees. For a full weather breakdown, head to DONINGTON PARK WEATHER.

Also, the final instructions, provisional timetable and entry lists for all championships racing can be found at DONINGTON WINTER RACEDAY.

Scott Woodwiss