Donington Park’s major international motorsport event takes place next weekend (30 June – 2 July) with the annual visit of the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship.
Some of the world’s top superbike races will be in action at the event, which attracts tens of thousands of spectators to the circuit. While the on track racing is always a highlight of the season, there’s just as much to see and do in the paddock and surrounding areas too, including the central Paddock Show, where fans can meet the big names.
A triple header of world class races
The main event is always the three dramatic races for the headlining World Superbike Championship. Riders from across the globe will be in action on all three days, with the first race of the weekend taking place on Saturday 1 July, and two further contests on the main Sunday race day (2 July).
World Superbikes visits the UK just once a year, so this is the only chance for fans to see the five British stars in action on home soil. They’ll be cheering on six-time world champion Jonathan Rea and his Kawasaki teammate Alex Lowes, who resides in the East Midlands.
BMW pair Scott Redding and Tom Sykes both know Donington like the back of their hand, as does reigning Bennetts British Superbike Champion Bradley Ray, who has moved into World Superbikes with Yamaha this season.
The home heroes are all out to defeat reigning champion Alvaro Bautista. The Ducati-riding Spaniard has been almost unbeatable this year, but he’s not won a race of any sort at Donington Park since his 125cc World Championship triumph back in 2006! If that wasn’t enough of an omen for his chances, he arrived at Donington in 2019 in a very similar position, only for his title bid to unravel in the East Midlands.
He’ll have another strong challenger in the form of Turkey’s Toprak Razgatlioglu. The Yamaha rider is as spectacular as they come, and the 2021 champion won all three races at the circuit last season.
It could be a record-breaking event too. The Donington Park circuit was completely resurfaced before the season started, and championship lap records have been smashed all year. The fastest ever motorcycle lap was set only last year in qualifying by Rea, but there's a very strong chance the lap times this time around will be even faster, weather permitting!
Full support package
It’s not just World Superbikes in action across the weekend. There’s further international racing from the World Supersport and Yamaha R3 Cup categories, featuring riders determined to move up to World Superbikes in the future.
In addition, some of the best British series are also racing at the event, including the fiercely contested British Junior Supersport category, and the BMW F900 R Cup.
In total, there’s 13 scintillating races to look forward to, with action on track from 9am to past 5pm on all three days.
Buzzing Paddock Show and Victory Lane
One of the main focal points of the event is the vibrant Paddock Show, situated at the heart of the venue all weekend. This is where the stars of the show will appear throughout the event, with the international race podiums taking place here and utilising the unique Victory Lane feature, where the top bikes travel through the paddock areas, within high five distance of fans gathered on both sides - and usually accompanied by a booming rock soundtrack!
As well as the podiums, the Paddock Show is in operation throughout the event, with chat shows, quizzes, charity auctions and live music too. Access to the Paddock Show is free of charge to all ticketholders, as is access to the main paddock areas themselves.
More family fun
In addition to the red hot racing and the fun and games of the Paddock Show, there’s plenty more for the whole family to enjoy around the venue.
The Arrowdox archery and axe throwing feature will be back in the wooded area of the circuit infield, where users aged over 12 can test their accuracy and throwing skills.
There will also be live music acts near to the vibrant infield campsite on Friday and Saturday evenings, whilst a funfair will be in operation adjacent to the Wheatcroft Straight.
A special display of Ducati motorcycles will be positioned on the Redgate infield area, plus trade stands around the venue, and big screens in the most popular viewing areas, so spectators miss none of the action.
Weekend tickets covering all three days are available in advance for £65. Adult single-day admission is £18 on Friday, £32 on Saturday and £42 on Sunday, with reductions for 13-15-year-olds and free entry for under-13s. All tickets include access to the general viewing and paddock areas, plus the Paddock Show. For more information, please click here.
22 June 2023
