Hermann Tilke's New Donington Design? We Like!

Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd submitted plans for the first phase of the re-development of Donington Park with North West Leicestershire District Council on Friday 5th September.
The Parkland circuit faces massive re-development in preparation for the British Formula One Grand Prix that will be staged at the circuit in 2010. An agreement was signed between Donington Park Leisure and the FIA in July to stage the British Grand Prix for ten years, starting in 2010.

"The submission of these plans heralds the start of a massive re-development project and a new era for Donington Park. It's an incredibly exciting time for everybody involved," explained the circuit's Chief Executive Officer Simon Gillett. "We are delighted with the plans and when the work is completed we will have a facility that will be the pride of World Championship motorsport."
The 2009 programme of major events at Donington including the British Motorcycle Grand Prix and the World Superbike Championship will be unaffected by the re-development.

Donington Park will not be issuing any more releases or making any comment about the re-development until the North West Leicestershire District Council announces their decision on planning in early November.


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WE SAY: Well, the plans look pretty good actually. Although it'll be strange not to have Redgate and the run down to Craner and the Old Hairpin as the opening corners, it has to be said that the new long straight looks good, and there could well be a very very interesting piece of track in that new infield section - turns 2, 3, 4 and 5. (Look at the second graphic where we have overlaid Tilke's plan onto a satellite shot of the current circuit...) Turn 2 will run down the bank that overlooks Starkeys, and by the looks of it Turn 3 will be a neat switchback that also points uphill as the track curves up and round to 4 and 5 and then runs off down what is currently the main stright. Given the inclines in that part of the infield, it may be a rather exciting piece of tarmac...
We like - and we have to say that we're suprised Hermann Tilke hasn't made a complete bollocks of things like he usually does (apart from most of the Istanbul Park circuit.)

The most important thing, if the track is going to be this good, is to ensure that public facilities and all the main road and traffic services are up to scratch. That's where the real problems may lie...