Donington Park Truck Racing 2016 - The Musings of Mark Haggan

Last weekend saw the Donington Park Truck Racing 2016 event, with the British Truck Racing Association bringing their racing series to the Leicestershire circuit. Truck racing is quite a sight, and attracts an impressive crowd. As well as the trucks themselves – huge vehicles racing around the circuit at quite remarkable speeds – the support series includes various car racing including the ever popular Legends, and even some pick up truck races.

The event has an open paddock, so spectators can get up close to the trucks they can see on the track, and as well as those racing, there is an impressive series of trucks to see on show at the circuit too. If that’s not enough – and it was enough to keep me entertained for the weekend – there was also a “fun zone” where if the various bouncy castles, trampolines, bumper cars, fairground stalls and army displays were not enough to keep the younger members of the audience entertained, then they could even go on a monster truck adventure, or try their hand at various driving experiences.

However, the highlight for me of course was what was happening on track. The trucks have a rolling start, with the safety truck – yes, you read that right – leading the pack around to the start finish straight. The view of the trucks heading towards you at speed whilst jostling for position at the end of the straight is so fantastic that rather than taking any photos, the temptation is to just stop and watch.