Circuit Guide
The following articles are photographic guides to the some of the best British Circuits, Tracks and Events in the United Kingdom, Europe and the USA.
We have personally been to all of these locations over time and have built up a knowledge base that we would like to share with you.
We don’t claim to be experts but we are enthusiastic about what we do and I hope that comes across in the great images and narrative.
We will cover the areas to take photographs and what kit you will need for each event. For most of the venues we will concentrate on the scenario of you being a paying customer, i.e. shooting from behind, through, or over the safety fence.
These are not a comprehensive guides to getting round the circuit, just a few pointers for the enthusiast amateur photographer who might want a head start when visiting an event.
Contributions range from professional published motorsport photographers to amateurs who are just starting their journey into the exciting world of automotive photography.
We will endeavour to update the guides as we revisit the tracks and events year by year. If you spot something that you think should be included, or would like to contribute, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Donington Park Motor Racing Circuit Photographic Guide.
Address: Donington Park, Castle Donington, Derby DE74 2RP
Telephone: +44(0) 1332 810048
Email doningtonpark@msv.com
Website: https://www.donington-park.co.uk/
Where to take photos at Donington Park.
Updated September 2023
Donington Park is a motor racing circuit in located on the Derbyshire and Leicestershire border. It is easy to get to, being only a short distance from the M1 junction 23a northbound or 24 southbound. Hosting a variety of motorsports events Donington is a popular circuit for the spectator photographer.
This guide will take you around the circuit using the map below as a guide. The areas indicated on the map will have a corresponding example of the type of shot you can expect to get at each location.
You will need a standard motorsports 70-200mm zoom lens and it is highly recommended that you also have a superzoom to hand.
Donington has undergone a significant upgrade over the winter of 2018-19. The march of the safety fence that we see at most major circuits these days has continued at Donington. As we shoot at the Derbyshire circuit we will update this guide as we discover the changes that have been implemented.
During the 2020-21 season a spectator barrier had been constructed along the fence line from Roberts to Goddard moving the spectators back about two meters.
The major change you will notice if you are a regular visitor is the Melbourne loop. Previously, you could stand at the apex of this bend with an unobscured view up the small hill towards the airport with just a short wooden fence in front of you.
That has gone, the viewing area is now part of the entrance and has been pushed back from the corner. There are two small areas where you can get close the thick safety fencing to take photos but they are some distance from the track.
The shot below taken through the wire is from one of the two viewing areas near the main entrance looking into the Melbourne loop. This image is from the article Race Series Test days, is it worth going? A report from a British Touring Car Tyre Testing day at Donington Park.
Parking at Donington can be random depending on the event taking place. Small meetings and test days you can park in the paddock area, slightly larger and in addition there is a large carpark to the left of the main entrance inside the circuit with quite a walk to the track.
During major events parking is outside of the circuit, so be prepared to take all of your equipment with you; it’s a large circuit you could go back to the car at lunch but it could be a bit of a hike depending on where you are situated.
Starkey’s car parking
For a fee £5 - £10 (as of 2023) you can park at Starkey’s during large events. This carpark is on a steep slope and gives you excellent views of Craner, Old Hairpin, Starkey and Schwantz. It is accessed via the Coppice entrance.
Disabled parking
A large disabled parking area is available a short distance North of the Coppice entrance on a raised banking. This shot of a Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R was taken from disabled parking area. A shuttle buggy runs from the disabled viewing area to other parts of the venue.
Facilities inside the circuit are located to the right of the main entrance and include a small shop selling newspapers and confectionery, a circuit mega store with the usual MSV memorabilia and Café 39 which is recommended; the food is basic but of a good quality and not over priced.
There is a bar, coffee shop and toilets located in this building and it can be found opposite the petrol station.
Circuit Guide
Once you have found the café you have two options - going around the inside of the track or outside. I would not recommend the outside route it is heavily fenced and you are some distance from the track. There are good shots to be had but there are not that many to justify the hike, however we will point them out for you.
There are tunnels around the track so if you want to you can experience the outside of the track
Donington like many of the tracks in the UK can have a number of layouts. The National circuit is 1.979 miles long where as the GP circuit is 2.487 miles long.
When the National circuit is being used main difference is the Melbourne loop near the main entrance, this part of the track is not used for the National circuit which also takes out the Esses and Goddards. I would recommend finding out from the Donington Circuit website what track is in operation if you are after a specific shot.
We will concentrate on the National circuit and pick up the best areas around the Melbourne loop at the end of this article.
Starting at Café 39 to your right is the race paddock area, and the pit garages follow these to the circuit medical centre where there is also a grandstand that is open for smaller events, but will need to be pre-booked for larger meetings.
From the front to the back rows of the grandstand you can get a great view of the cars as they exit Roberts corner to your right and the Wheatcroft Straight in front of you. This location is good for panning photography.
There are two other good shots here. The cars will enter the pit lane to your right when using the National circuit and pull into the pits to your left. The other shot is when the GP circuit is in use.
The cars and bikes will pull in behind the grandstand so if you are on the extreme righthand side of the grandstand you can shoot directly down on the cars for a different shot.
Leaving the Grandstand and heading back to Café 39, to the left of the restaurant is a tunnel that takes you to the inside the circuit. Follow the path to the left for area B Redgate to Hollywood.
The inside of Redgate is a popular location for the spectator photographer. You are not to far from the track, a 70-200mm lens will work well depending on where you stand but a superzoom will be better and it can be spectacular as the cars will be braking from flat out down the straight and can overdo it into the corner.
This is also a great location for flame shots from motorcycles, it won't happen every time and not on every bike.
Otherwise it’s a good panning area with some OK background scenery and very popular with spectators and photographers.
C is for Craners, a great location for the first few laps as the cars head down the hill towards you head on. There are also loads of great side on panning shots here as there are no fences to speak of.
At the Old Hairpin as the car throttle off and brake you can get flames coming out of the exhaust so keep an eye out for that. This area looks innocuous but many run off here into the kitty litter so be prepared.
Talking of crash photography, we will not publish images if anyone is injured.
However, if everyone is ok and we are only looking at bent metal we will publish, generally with the permission of the driver, most of whom will contact me as they want the crash pictures more than a standard shot.
Starkeys is another panning area with the old bridge in the background or you can get a nice shot from the rear shot through Schwantz and up into McLeans.
McLeans is a great spot for the spectator photographer with lots of opportunities to capture overtaking and out-braking moves. From McLeans you can also get a rear shot into Coppice, which is best from the outside of the track.
There are a few good shots from the outside of the track at McLeans, however you are quite a distance from the action so a long lens is required and this is one area that I have have experienced heat haze on hot days. There is a tunnel half way up the straight between McLeans and Coppice to give you access to the outside of the track.
From the inside of Coppice looking at the bridge (best with a step) there’s a shot between the fences at the apex - latter is nice with the early evening sunshine. There is limited space here, only two - three photographers but it is worth persevering and waiting for a space.
Alternatively take the tunnel under the track and turn right to be on the outside of Coppice. Shooting through the fence but with a lovely view of Derbyshire behind.
This is a great location for the start of a race and its its a crash hot-spot when the rain starts to fall. There numerous locations here, starting off I would recommend looking straight into the corners then moving round to the left as the race progresses..
Roberts and the Fogarty Esses is a difficult corner to describe but simple if you are standing there. If the National Circuit is in use the cars will be coming straight at you from Roberts.
Roberts is another great spot and popular with photographers. There is a large gap in the fence for the rescue vehicles that you can use to capture the cars as they hit the apex of the corner.
To the right are some great angles, however you have to shoot through the fence but you can get up close so it's not too much of an issue. There is a reverse shot from the opposite side, if the tunnel is open.
The inside of Roberts is only used if the National track is being used. At large events rescue vehicles will be parked here and Pro photographers will stand on the inside apex so will limit your view.
As there are no fences so you can get a great shot, you just need a little luck and a small step is recommended.
There is a tunnel here to take you to the outside of the track.
If the GP Circuit is in use the cars will take the Fogarty Esses and head to the Melbourne loop. You will next see them if you move to the right down to Goddards where they will rejoin the Wheatcroft Straight.
To get to the Fogarty Esses there is a tunnel here that will take you to the outside of the track. Taking this tunnel will give you access to the raised bank opposite the Fogarty Esses and to the straight down to the Melbourne hairpin.
There is a lot of safety fencing here but there are gaps and loads of space with lots of different angles.
The Fogarty Esses is a good location for the end of a race, sometimes the riders at motorcycle events will stop infront of the large crowds and celebrate.
If the GP track is being used you go back to the inside of the track via the tunnel and continue past Robberts to Goddards.
All along this part of the spectator viewing area a new spectator barrier has been put in place for the 2021 season, moving you back from the thick fencing.
You can still get a good shot through the wire but it is a popular location so space can be limited at large events.
Following the track back towards the Start line you can take the tunnel back to the Café. Opposite you is the circuit petrol station. To the left and behind the petrol station is one of the best areas to take photos at Donington - the Melbourne loop.
You can get up close to the wire here and only need a 200mm lens to fill the frame. Cars and bikes will flame as they enter the corner so keep an eye out for that.
This is a very popular location so a step might be required.
Donington also holds Rally events using any of the tarmac areas available, paddocks, pit and access roads. One of the better locations for the Rallying is on the outside of the track near Redgate.
Keep an eye on the Redgate hospitality suites, if they are not in use you might be able to take the stairs and get an overhead shot as the cars enter the circuit.
Pit Lane
Depending on the event the garages and pits might be open to the general public, most of the time they are not. However, there are pit lane walks which are popular and well worth the queue to get in.
At British Super Bike rounds Bennets will have a viewing area for Bennets insurance customers as part of their Bike Social rewards scheme, you will need to show your membership to gain access.
![Donington Park pit lane and garages]](https://le-cdn.website-editor.net/s/cfa9931543a14ee9a9841b3e76f8c2dd/dms3rep/multi/opt/89-12beffca-1920w.jpg?Expires=1716710077&Signature=hMeFp97RX9RFm-ZwRcseCQVviKtMZhqqvlikF1Q~BeGmLQeKK~YKDLSGSMsSbEhvwU3Ya2ADussB3i40jRs39~t4kCCLGECMlZFHOz46Xg7B5u93M5AUzZGhPARGB2K6ceY5xrCwV1YKeA6flByFmCKinCwJvC0QW2FHW1KT1x1jGbNNKiD-heE3Pg594MC1eFtQrMp-7T6e3QVdBD6Xh6yp3DeKKNVsnYH66QP3IgZvPPIbBM5I~I5YXz7VjvZ39dJG1wsK85t5WuUta7o-TnHy42fspgMNcLBx7lQi6YErtJNaN92HhUOP5WQ5-~AQPSD2hyqSbpfSK70BO8TzXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=K2NXBXLF010TJW)
This photographic guide should give you a head start when visiting Donington Park. The location is large with lots of great areas to take photographs. A long focal length lens is required, 500mm should cover it on a full frame camera. A crop sensor camera with a 70-200mm lens and a few teleconverters will also work.
And don’t forget before you shoot to look at the background, the circuit seems to have the world supply of red waste trash cans.
If you have any tips you would like to pass on to your fellow photographers when visiting Donington drop us a line, or head over to our Facebook page and leave a comment.
Thanks to RPW Photography, Ryan Frost of Lincs Media and David Harbey Photography for all the help on this report. You can see more of Davids work by using the links below.
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