DONINGTON

Opened in 1931, Donington Park is one of Britain's most popular racing circuits.

It is the home of the British Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) and also plays host to rounds of the British Touring Car Championship, British Formula 3 Championship, British GT Championship, Le Mans Series, British Superbike Championship, and Stock Hatch once again after a year away in 2007.

The circuit uses tracks and paths in the parkland at the front of Donington Hall.

Initially, it was used only for motorcycle racing. It wasn't long, however, before Fred Craner, a local garage owner and secretary of the Derby and District Motor Club, had persuaded the Sheilds family, who owned Donington Hall, to also allow car racing. To make this possible, the circuit was resurfaced and extended by 1933.

A new Melbourne loop was subsequently added in 1985, giving a choice of two courses, the National and the Grand Prix circuit, which is 2.5 miles long. [ MORE ]