One of the most memorable events in the history of Donington Park, the rain-soaked 1993 European Grand Prix a quarter-century ago, will be celebrated at this year’s Donington Historic Festival, set for May 4, 5 and 6 at the Derby circuit. That race was won, of course, by Ayrton Senna in perhaps his most brilliant drive, and a number of cars he drove, or raced against, will be featured in the on-track F1 car demonstrations on the Saturday and Sunday, as well as static displays on all three days.
The Festival’s anniversary theme celebrates that unforgettable day in April of 1993, when the crowds flocked to Donington Park as the circuit played host to its first Grand Prix in 55 years. Torrential rain made the track treacherous as, starting from 4th position, Senna (above, James Beckett photo) battled it out with Alain Prost, Damon Hill and Michael Schumacher to win by an incredible 80 seconds.
Among the cars expected to be on hand this year are: the Toleman TG-184-01 Hart Turbo in which Senna caused a sensation during Friday practice for the 1984 British GP; a Lotus/Judd 101/3 campaigned in 1989 by Nelson Piquet and Satoru Nakajima; a 1993 Benetton B193B that was raced by Michael Schumacher and Riccardo Patrese; Gerhard Berger’s 1992 Canadian GP-winning McLaren MP4/7A-8; and the McLaren MP4/8 that was Senna’s test car for the 1993 Donington Park race, the latter pair courtesy of the Donington Collection museum.
The 25th anniversary activities add a further dimension to an event where attendees can enjoy three days of world-class historic motorsport featuring an incredibly diverse range of racing machines spanning nine decades. For more information on the Donington Historic Festival or to book tickets, please visit www.doningtonhistoric.com
