World Superbike Championship returns to Donington Park
Donington Park has much to celebrate this weekend. Not only is the FIM World Superbike Championship returning to its original home, the circuit is also marking 80 years of motorcycle racing.
The Leicestershire circuit first opened its doors to racing in 1931, with a 3518m track based on the unsealed estate roads. The first motorcycle race took place on Whit Monday with speedway ace Squib Burton claiming the victory aboard his Raleigh 350cc. Donington Park soon became synonymous with motorcycle racing and 57 years after that first race, the circuit hosted the inaugural World Superbike Championship event.
Fast-forward to 2011 and Donington Park is entering another new era. Over £1m has been invested in the venue to bring it in line with FIM regulations to ensure the return of World Superbikes after a one-year absence. To celebrate, the SBK racers of today gathered for a group photo on the start/finish straight alongside Squib Burton’s winning machine.
“It’s an absolute joy to see a vital piece of Donington’s history coming together with the stars of the present and future,” said Donington Park chairman Kevin Wheatcroft. “Today represents a goal that we have been working towards since we re-gained control of the venue in 2010. We are commemorating the glorious past of the circuit, while restoring and redeveloping it to pave the way for a bright future. It’s an exciting time.”
Donington Park fans can once again enjoy the World Superbike spectacular as the revamped track hosts another fast-paced battle between the frontrunners of the championship. Carlos Checa, Max Biaggi and Marco Melandri may lead the standings following the first round of the season in Australia last month, but it’s the ‘Brit-Pack’ to look out for – Leon Haslam, Jonathan Rea, Eugene Laverty, Tom Sykes and Leon Camier are all hoping to impress in front of the home crowd.
Advance tickets, paddock and pitwalk passes are on sale until 8pm this evening (Thursday 24 March) via donington-park.co.uk. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday tickets, paddock passes and pitwalk passes are available to buy on the gate.
