A visit to Donington Park. After reading as much about the Donington Grand Prix collection” as I had

During the holidays it is very difficult to find a balance between activities that both my family and I could enjoy, especially when traveling to the pinnacle of formula One- Great Britain.

Being so passionate about automobiles, how can I resist driving through the British roads without looking sideways at the sign that indicate “Brands Hatch next exit”, “Welcome to Silverstone” or “National motor Museum ahead”?.

As my heartbeat increases considerably and my eyes are out of stalks following the road signs that slowly disappear in the rear-view mirror, our destination is … a nice village with beautiful and picture-friendly landscapes.

Even the passion-o-meter goes up to unimaginable levels as we reach the “Welcome to Donington Park” sign.

After reading as much about the Donington Grand Prix collection” as I had, it was impossible to be in England and not to visit the place. It would be as being in Italy for Christmas and not go to Vatican City for a privileged spot at Piazza San Pietro.

Not a very farfetched comparison if we consider that Donington is the sactuary for those like me, whose blood pressure immediately rises very Sunday before the start of a Formula One Grand Prix.

The reason for my excitement is that Donington holds the largest Grand Prix car collection in the world. Not only the number of cars is impressive- over one hundred and thirty cars-, but also the quality of the exhibited vehicles and the amazing memorabilia.

A Bugatti EB 110 is parked in front of the main entrance, and I know a great day awaits me.

It only gets better when I see the statues in honor of Juan Manuel Fangio and Ayrton Senna flanking the access.

Founded in March 1973 by Tom Wheatcroft, the museum is based in his private collection, which began with the purchase of a Ferrari 125.

Also in display are the largest collection driver’s helmets in the world.

Donington is the only place in the world that which gathers together a complete example of each Vanwall built, and the largest collection of Mc Larens.

Some of the starts of the exhibit are the Lotus 18 run by the Rob Walker Racing Team and led to victory by Sir Stirling Moss in the Monaco Grand Prix 1961; and the Lotus 25 designed by the great mind of Colin Chapman and driven by Jim Clark, winning seven of ten races in 1963, with the result of both Drivers World Championship and Constructors Championship.

On the other side of the museum stands the Mc Laren MP4/14 chassis #4 in which Mika Hakkinen won the World championship in 1999 and very close to it was Ayrton Senna’s MP4/8, which won the European Grand Prix 1993, precisely at Donington Park.

But that’s not all. There is also the Mc Laren MP4/2 in which Frenchman Alain Prost won the World championship in 1986. Where else it could be but at Donington!

A curious fact concerning is that the 1998 Mc Laren MP4/13 is that is kept in it “Test Livery”. It was supposed to carry the sponsor’s color but kept the Mc Laren traditional orange color.

Some visitors may find it odd that only a small amount of Ferraris can be found at the museum. Among them, though, we find the Ferrari 500, one of the most successful cars in the Formula One history. This splendid machine won every single race it entered in its first season, six times driven by Alberto Ascari, and one by Piero Taruffi, while also won seven out of eight races in the 1953 season, five with Alberto Ascari at the wheel, one by Giuseppe Farina and the last by Mike Hawthorn.

Another Maranello-made car is the 312 B 1970 in which Clay Regazzoni and Jacky ickx won the Italian and Austrian GP, respectively.

Donington is also home of one of the only two examples of the Alfa Romeo Bimotore worldwide, built by the Scuderia Ferrari in order to beat the powerful German “Silver Arrows”. Even though the car could reach 500 hp, Tazio Nuvolari could never reach it because of his fame of “tire eater”.

As we continue admiring the exhibit, we spot a black silhouette with golden trims, the one and only John Player Special Lotus 72, one of the most recognizable cars in Formula one history.

Driven by Ronnie Peterson this car won at Monaco, the French and Italian Grand Prix 1974.

But also the Tyrrell 006 displays it glory days, when the “flying Scotsman”, Sir Jackie Stewart drove masterfully in the Silverstone International trophy, as well as the South African, Belgian, Monaco , Dutch and German Grand Prix, winning the 1973 Driver’s Championship.

Four hours had gone by since I has seen that” Welcome To Donington Park” sign, which sadly become one of the many signs that disappeared in my rear-view mirror.