The Donington Historic Festival returned to the eponymous Leicestershire circuit on May 4-5, 2024, and was characterised by a big Bentley anniversary along with important news about the event’s future.
Headlining the 13th edition of the DHF was Bentley, which marked the 100th anniversary of its first-ever victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours with demonstration runs by a 2000 Bentley EXP Speed 8 prototype and a 2003 Bentley Speed 8 that raced at Circuit de la Sarthe.
The Bentleys were seen out on track on both days of the event, piloted by former WTCC Champion Rob Huff and Guy Smith, who drove the Speed 8’s sister car to victory at Le Mans in 2003 alongside Tom Kristensen and Rinaldo Capello.
Headlining the 13th edition of the DHF was Bentley, which marked the 100th anniversary of its first-ever victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours
Another British manufacturer famous for its exploits at Le Mans is Jaguar, whose C-type and D-type models made history at the French circuit throughout the 1950s.
These legendary Jaguars also found success in this year’s DHF, with Gary Pearson winning the Stirling Moss Trophy in a D-type, while Rudiger Freidrichs’ C-type took the top step of the podium in the Woodcote Trophy.
There was, however, plenty to talk about away from the circuit, too. Just days before the DHF got underway, it was announced that Aythorpe Promotions Limited (APL) had acquired Motor Racing Legends (MRL), the historic race promoter that organises the DHF as well as the Silverstone Festival, Spa Six Hours and Oulton Park Gold Cup.
APL’s director is racing driver and car collector Shaun Lynn, who agreed to purchase MRL and its events with outgoing owner Duncan Wiltshire, who wishes to focus on his new position as Royal Automobile Club chairman.
Even so, Duncan will see out his tenure as MRL chairman until the end of 2024, before handing over the reins entirely to APL and Shaun Lynn.
“Over two decades, Duncan Wiltshire and his team at MRL have built a unique series that covers some of the finest touring car, sports car and pre-war grids in Europe,” Lynn said.
“It is our hope that, through a shared passion for historic motor sport, we can help to write the next historic motor sport chapter. We’re delighted that Duncan will continue to lead the business until the end of 2024, and we look forward to working alongside his team to deliver what is set to be an outstanding season.”
Shortly after the news of MRL’s acquisition, it was announced that a GT3 Legends category will be added to its Historic Racing Series. The grid will comprise of homologated GT3 racers built between 2006 and 2012, split across three classes that relate to the age of the car. The first GT3 Legends race is slated to take place at Motor Racing Legends’ eponymous event at Silverstone on October 19-20, 2024.
With the next DHF expected to be 12 months away, APL will have plenty of time to make adjustments to next year’s event – the dates and details of which will undoubtedly be drip-fed to the press over that period.
