This document details all the places a driver needs to take themselves or their car over a race weekend. The tour begins at the paddock entrance, where we turn left into the lower paddock (Paddocks 2 and 3) Here we will find water taps, a waste oil deposition point, recycling facilities (well done, Donington Park), toilets and camping facilities for marshals.
From here, we will past the entrance, into the main paddock (Paddock 1) to see a block for shops, with a defibrillator at the end, followed by a fuel station. Next is a picnic area, then waste oil, recycling and toilet facilities. From there, we will head to the end of the paddock to view the medical centre. Here will also be found the administration facilities, including signing on and the clerk of the course.
Next, we will head back, alongside the garages, to Garage 39, where food and drink can be sourced. On the other side of Garage 39 is Scrutineering and parc ferme. Then will come a section describing the Assembly Area for both configurations and, finally, a section that fully describe the grid.
Paddocks 2 and 3
I couldn’t ascertain as to where Paddock 3 started, exactly, other to say that it runs along the western edge of this area.
| 1. From the pedestrian access to the paddock, looking back at the security booths. That ensures that only vehicles with the required permissions gain access. |  |
| 2. A set of water taps can be seen at the other side of this awning. |  |
| 3. Waste oil is deposited here, on the western border of the paddock. |  |
| 5. Toilets are available along this block. The red recycling bins can be seen to the fore. |  |
| 6. This hospitality block overlooks the start/finish straight and the first corner. It contains several toilets that are available to the public. |  |
Paddock 1
Having completed the tour of paddocks 2 and 3, return to the entrance (1). From there, turn left into the main paddock (Paddock 1).
| 1. From the pedestrian access to the paddock, looking back at the security booths. That ensures that only vehicles with the required permissions gain access. |  |
| 7. This block is by the main entrance. There is a newsagent, followed by the Megastore. Note that, when I last attended, which was a major event (trucks), both the newsagent and Megastore were closed, so I’m not confident that either are still operating. |  |
| 7. The Megastore is in the middle of the block. At the end is the defibrillator, followed by the fuel station. | |
| 7. Here is the defibrillator, at the end of the block. |  |
| 8. After the block is a fuel station. The location of the defibrillator is highlighted. |  |
| 9. There is a nice picnic area overlooking the return straight of the GP extension, which is also the assembly area when the National configuration is in use. While pleasant, it is close to the fuel station. The signpost is clever, as it gives distance and direction to the other MSV circuits. |  |
| 10. There are further recycling and waste oil facilities, between the picnic site and the toilets. |  |
| 10. The toilets. The left block is for Ladies and the right block is for Gents. |  |
| 11. To the far east of the paddock, underneath and to the rear of the grandstand, is the Medical Centre. The entrance is by the rear of the medical car. |  |
Admin Block
Across from the grandstand / Medical Centre, at the end of the garage block, is the Admin Centre.
| 12. The Medical Centre and grandstand are to the right of this photograph, with the Admin block on the left, attached to the end of the garage block. Between the two is access to the end of the pit lane. |  |
| 12. On entry to the Admin block, race results are available from the wall by the foot of the stairs. |  |
| 12. Up those stairs to the first floor can be found the media suite and timekeepers. |  |
| 12. Go up the stairs again to the second floor for signing on, the clerk of the course and stewards, along with the circuit commentators. |  |
Restaurant And Bar – Garage 39 / Scrutineering / Parc Ferme
There are 38 garages, with the first being by the Admin block and the 38th by the restaurant and bar. Between the garages and restaurant is competitor access to the pit lane.
| 13. Garage 39, here as seen from the fuel station (8). |  |
| 14. and 15. Scrutineering is surrounded by a large fence, the front of which has an access gate. It can be seen, ahead, beyond which is parc ferme. These two areas will be described in the following section. Garage 39 can be seen to the right of this photograph. |  |
Race Locations
Scrutineering Bay
Scrutineering is adjacent to parc fermé, which is surrounded by a large fence, the front of which has an access gate.
To find Scrutineering, look for Garage 39, which is the big building that juts out from the pit lane. It can be seen to the right of this photograph.
Assembly Area
National Configuration
Located on the Melbourne Loop, on the short straight leading out of Melbourne Hairpin. Queuing for the Assembly Area takes place in the paddock area just outside of the gate that leads into the Melbourne Loop. To get there from the paddock, drive to the road that leads to the exit. As soon as you have turned out of the main paddock area, the Assembly Area is on the left. There is likely to be a queue of cars waiting to get to the Assembly Area once the current incumbents have moved off to the starting grid. In this case, unless you are one of the first to arrive, you will most likely reach that queue whilst still in the main paddock.
Grand Prix Configuration Located just outside of the gate that leads into the Melbourne Loop. To get there from the paddock, drive to the road that leads to the exit. As soon as you have turned out of the main paddock area, you have reached the Assembly Area. Unless you are one of the first to arrive, you will most likely reach the queue whilst still in the main paddock.
Parc Ferme
This is located adjacent to the scrutineering bay, on the opposite side to the garage block. After a session on the circuit, it is reached via the pit lane entry by driving past the garage blocks. Immediately before Garage 39, you will be directed left, right and right again, around Garage 39 and into Scrutineering.
Pits, Including Entry and Exit
For test and track days, there are two ways to access the pit lane. The first is the access road at the far side of the paddock, between the end of the garages and the grandstand. The other is the at the middle of the paddock, between Garage 39 and the start of the garages.
Pit Entry – National Configuration
Exiting the final chicane, it is advisable to move over to the left while giving a hand signal to show that you are pitting, then slow down and enter the pits, on the left. Be aware of the speed limit which, while normally 50kph, may be slower at such events as truck meetings.
Pit Entry – Grand Prix Configuration
Negotiating the final hairpin, it is advisable to move over to the left while giving a hand signal to show that you are pitting, then slow down and enter the pits, on the left. Be aware of the speed limit which, while normally 50kph, may be slower at such events as truck meetings.
Pit Exit Obey the lights and join safely as you head towards the right-hand first corner, Redgate. Be aware of the flag post, ahead.
| Access to the pit lane, between the end of the garages and the grandstand. |  |
| Access to the pit lane, between between Garage 39 and the start of the garages. |  |
| Pit entry. |  |
| The pit lane. |  |
| Pit exit. Marshal Post 1 can be seen ahead. |  |
Start Lights and Grid
The start line is about halfway along the pit lane, shortly after the overhead advertising gantry.
The starting lights are a little ahead, by the pit wall, and should be visible to all competitors, although roll cages may block the lights to those at the back. The last grid position just before at pit entry.
| The back of the grid, with advertising gantry ahead. |  |
| he advertising gantry, with start lights ahead. |  |
| The start lights, just ahead of the start line. |  |
Page created by Peter Tattersall, March 2024