I wrote yesterday about my son Xander’s first motor sport event, a trip to BTCC at Donington Park, and I mentioned how good a spectator sport it is, not just because of the quality of the racing, but also because of the quality of the access to the circuit, the pits and the teams and drivers. Donington Park is a great venue, so BTCC at Donington Park is a wonderful day for motor sports fans.
I went to BTCC at Donington Park in 2012, and had a great time. I went for the day by myself – it’s only a few miles from home for me – and was quite content walking around the circuit and stopping to take some pictures. As I mentioned in previous posts, there is great access to the teams and drivers at BTCC, and this included a trip down the pit lane, where some of the drivers were taking questions from fans and signing autographs. I am not an autograph hunter, so left that to those who are, but as always, was impressed with the simple, easy access to the action.
There were even more formal interviews going on around us, that we could listen to, and watch the reaction of the drivers.
For those who like these things, the good access to the Pit Lane provided a good view of the engines.
We cleared the Pit Lane to allow some action to happen, and quickly the space where the fans had been walking was filled with the teams as they prepared to race.
The grid quickly filled up with cars…
Soon, there was action, and plenty of it. As quickly as the race kicked off, there were incidents and accidents through the field, in a race filled with overtaking.
There was, of course, plenty of good racing.
The chequered flag made it’s usual appearance, and signalled the end of the race.
The media gathered to interview the three drivers who would be occupying the podium.
The drivers got out of the car, and the media were there to capture the moment, and the thoughts and views of the three drivers.
The eagle eyed among fans may have spotted that among the convoy of tyres and other car parts moving from the pit lane was a golf buggy with three familiar faces sitting on it.
The three drivers, Gordon, Matt & Mat, got off the golf buggy and onto the podium.
Once the trophies were distributed, it was time for the champagne.
After the champagne, there was the obligatory photo of the drivers on the podium.
Of course, as well as BTCC, there were support races, including Ginettas and Porsches. Both provided the same level of access as BTCC. The Ginettas have a series of young drivers making their way through motorsport.
There was some remarkably close racing from the Ginettas.
There were, of course, some casualties from the Ginetta race, but as always, the volunteer marshals, without whom motor sport as we know it could not happen, were on hand to save the day.
As normal, the chequered flag signalled the end of the race.
The Ginettas were applauded back into the pits.
The podium for the Ginettas was also well received.
The Porsches were as popular as always, and there were some big names racing there.
All in all, a good day, and a glimpse of bmi (and my) former office, and the newly announced home of Norton Motorcycles, Donington Hall.
If you get a chance, BTCC at Donington – or any of the other circuits – is definitely worth a visit.