Photographing the 2026 Donington Historic Festival – A Return to Form?

As a Derbyshire lad, there’s a special place in my heart for Donington Park, even if it straddles the county boundary with Leicestershire. Tom Wheatcroft reckoned he could get a better deal with the latter’s planning authorities, so officially it’s in Leicestershire. We covered much of the early history of the circuit and the Donington Historic Festival back in 2020.

There’s been a fair bit of water under the bridge — though not the one at Starkey’s — since then. Post-Covid DHF events seemed somewhat variable, to the point where other meetings gradually took over in my motorsport diary. My former love for the DHF was extinguished despite the presence of a Kouros Sauber.

However, for 2026, the prospect of 400 entries across 14 races and some delectable racing cars taking part led to a late decision to head up the M1 on Sunday morning for the final day of action. This was helped by seeing Robert Clayson’s Friday photos, including a couple of rather nice BMW M3s.

The weather on Friday and Saturday had been good and the forecast for Sunday promised dry conditions — although reality proved rather different. The day dawned misty and Donington’s version of the Nürburgring castle, Breedon Priory, sat mysteriously in the distance. Still, the forecast was supposedly dry…

Donington Historic Festival 2026 – A Misty Morning Start at Redgate

Arranging to meet Tony later at lunchtime, I headed out to the inside of Redgate where, theoretically, I would have the sun behind me. Fat chance. The final laps of the Mad Jack race for pre-war sportscars were already underway.

There were a number of car clubs in evidence, including a decent turnout of MX-5s. These varied in approach, with one tribute to Japan’s blossom season standing out — although I’m not sure it’s one for me. This is probably the best value way to spectate at the DHF. My “on the day” ticket, unusually with no senior discount, cost £35 and included eight races, three qualifying sessions and an F1 demo — more on that later.

Next out was qualifying for the HRDC Dunlop Allstars and Classic Alfa Challenge. It provided a real mix of machinery: TVRs, Elans, Mustangs and everything from a 1960s Giulietta to a GTV6 for the Alfisti.

Walking down the inside of Redgate past Hollywood provides a variety of photographic backdrops. A slower shutter speed helps, although it can’t always remove parked cars, marshal posts, circuit furniture and other distractions.

The morning remained largely dull and misty for the HGPCA’s second race of the weekend. While the quickest cars were the Coopers and Brabhams, it was the two pre-war entries — an Alfa P3 that once raced at Indianapolis and retains much of its historic patina, alongside a Maserati 8CM — that interested me most.

This may simply be me rationalising the lack of Lotus machinery — my boyhood team. One Lotus did make its mark, though, losing it on lap one heading down the Craner Curves. It definitely wasn’t the moment for a slow shutter speed, nor the ideal place to be standing next to the fence. I suspect it was even more dramatic from inside the cockpit.

Touring Cars and Slower Shutter Speeds

The pre-1966 touring cars were next — essentially American heavy metal versus British upstarts in Lotus Cortinas, reprising the classic saloon battles of the era. Familiar names included Tom Ingram, Alex Brundle and Le Mans winner Guy Smith in a Cortina.

The final race before lunch was the Woodcote Trophy/Stirling Moss Trophy for 1950s sports cars. Alex Brundle was out again and I decided it was time to slow the shutter speed down properly.

A good catch-up with PistonClick editor Tony over lunch meant we both missed the GT3 pit walk, although there was still plenty to see around the paddock. We both sensed the afternoon might bring rain but carried on regardless. After all, when you have left your Gore-Tex boots, over-trousers and proper waterproof jacket in the car, what could possibly go wrong? I did at least have the waterproof cover for the camera — priorities!

Donington Historic Festival 2026 – Afternoon Activities

Regardless of how the morning had gone, the afternoon promised plenty of fabulous historic machinery to photograph, which was the main reason I was there in the first place. Thankfully, it didn’t disappoint.

The Gerry Marshall Trophy race allowed me to revisit shots from previous DHFs at the chicane, as the event doesn’t use the Melbourne Loop. That included the Alpilatte Alfa GTV previously photographed back in 2018.

I also walked through the tunnel to the outside of the chicane where it was notable that the spectator fence has now been moved back. Ultimately, it only makes a marginal difference to the spectator photographer, especially with relatively few people around. More challenging was the positioning of the sweepers and recovery vehicles on the inside of the braking zone, which blocked a good section of any panning shot.

At this stage, it’s worth noting that I had limited myself to the 70-200mm zoom plus a 1.7x teleconverter in deference to my recovering right hand following surgery. I had also left my step at home, usually essential for the next location — Coppice. Before that, though, came perhaps the most unlikely race car of the day.

F1 Demonstrations and GT3 Legends

The F1 demo was next and, for me, it remains something of a Marmite experience. It may sound ungracious, but having seen some of these cars race in period, it’s disappointing when they are merely pootled around the circuit. On the other hand, if you own historic machinery, bringing it out for the public to see and hear is commendable in itself. Perhaps I’m simply greedy.

Then came a reminder that we are all getting older than we might like to admit — the GT3 Legends.

GT3 is arguably the most successful global racing category of recent decades. Balance of Performance regulations have helped create close racing with loud, spectacular and, importantly, recognisable cars at Le Mans, in IMSA, at Spa, the Nürburgring and in championships around the world, including British GT.

It’s now 20 years old and the category still seems to be going from strength to strength, not least with Max Verstappen taking part in the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours. While the racing at Donington itself wasn’t especially close, seeing and hearing these cars once again being raced properly was more than enough justification for this photographer’s memory card.

The pre-1966 touring cars returned for their race as the weather became increasingly gloomy. My radar app showed rain moving in — and I was standing at McLeans. Oh well.

I’m not sure why I had never noticed it before, but there’s a small gap in the fence at the exit of McLeans where a completely fence-free panning shot is possible. I did note, however, that during BSB meetings this gap is usually occupied by marshals.

Rain, Spray and a Rekindled Passion

The rain finally arrived properly during the Historic Touring Car Challenge, consisting largely of various E30 BMW M3s — one of the finest touring cars ever built — alongside a couple of Skylines, an XJS, a BMW CSL and a Capri RS2600. The CSL remains my all-time favourite touring car.

For the record, I genuinely don’t mind shooting in the rain. I love the atmosphere it creates in photographs, the spray hanging in the air and the way damp conditions seem to suit slower shutter speed shots perfectly. It was even enjoyable without the correct clothing.

The Alfas and Dunlop Allstars closed out the programme in gloomy, damp conditions. I grabbed a few final Alfa shots before retreating to the car to dry out. The camera appeared to agree, as the battery finally gave up at that exact point. Naturally, the spare batteries were sitting in the boot.

So, what did I make of the 2026 Donington Historic Festival? Has the love affair been rekindled? Yes — absolutely.

There were strong entries, a packed programme with minimal downtime and some truly fabulous machinery. Donington remains, if you choose your locations carefully, one of the most photogenic circuits in Britain. Add in an open paddock and the chance to wander the GT3 pit lane and it all adds up to a thoroughly enjoyable day.

It’s definitely back on the calendar for 2027.

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