This is more than a book just about motor racing…it’s about people.

It’s about Fred Craner and John Gillies Shields, who with supreme determination and enterprise created the first Donington Park circuit in 1931. It’s about how their passion and commitment ensured that it grew at a phenomenal rate from loose-surfaced tracks to hosting four pre-war Grands Prix, including the legendary “Silver Arrows” events of 1937 and 1938. It’s about how the army took over during the war years and the many attempts that came close to bringing racing back in the 1960s. It’s about the rebirth of the circuit in the 1970s by Tom Wheatcroft and how it was saved again in the 21st century…

Researched, written, designed and illustrated by Donington Park aficionado John Bailie with final production artwork by Mediaprint, Blackpool. Printed in the UK by PurePrint, Uckfield, East Sussex. Includes contributions and first hand memories and anecdotes from Tom and Kevin Wheatcroft, Simon Taylor, Doug Nye, Neville Hay, Rick Hall, Ian Phillips, Tim Parnell, Jonathan Palmer and more, plus extracts from Bill Boddy’s on-the-spot pre-war race reports.

 
 

“Dramatically designed and superbly printed…
a fine tribute to the great characters that made Donington Park”

CLASSIC & SPORTS CAR / Book of the Month
 
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“The most comprehensive, deeply researched and generously illustrated history of any circuit I’ve seen…amplified by elegant graphics”

MOTOR SPORT / Book of the Month
 
 

“A wonderful selection of pictures - the archive is sensational.
Very tastefully designed to lure in the reader”

OCTANE / Book of the Month
 
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“No stone has been left unturned in the author’s research…
produced to a high standard”

AUTO TRADITION / Platinum Award
 
 

“A truly entertaining book, beautifully produced and printed, a quality product…thoroughly recommended”

THE VINTAGE SPORTS-CAR CLUB
 
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“One of the most detailed and well researched motor racing books of recent times”

HOWDEN GANLEY / “Musings”
 
 

“Cleverly juxtaposes then-and-now photography…an excellent book”

CLASSIC CARS
 
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“Full of period photographs…a very comprehensive study of a great and popular motor racing circuit”

VINTAGE SPIRIT
 
FROM THE AUTHOR

“Donington Park : The Pioneers” started as a sprint, but as time went on it became something of an endurance event…

As I discovered more and more fascinating facts about the creation and development of this fantastic circuit I became increasingly convinced that I had to tell the full story, a story that goes back to 1931 in terms of its racing history for motor cycles and also for car racing from 1933.

But it’s a story that begins in medieval times, long before the sound of racing engines echoed through the densely wooded surroundings of Donington Park. There is no doubt in my mind that Donington Park’s most exceptional assets are its unique history, the people behind that history and the friendly, community-orientated atmosphere that it retains today.

My book would never have reached fruition without the generous assistance and cooperation of many people, 120 of whom attended the launch event in the Donington Grand Prix Collection in October 2018.

I thank you all and sincerely hope that I have done justice to all Donington’s pioneers!

John Bailie

DONINGTON PARK : THE PIONEERS IS AVAILABLE FROM