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T9 / 10 Foggy Esses

This is the part of the track that was added onto the otherwise flowing and natural National Donington layout to bring it up to Grand Prix standards, at over 4km in length.

It may have been as basic a design and the efficient use of asphalt as possible, but it has created a totally different challenge for the riders at the end of each flowing, undulating lap. The Foggy Esses are one of the few places to have been truly modified over the decades at Donington, and as a great place to see each rider’ s different approach. Do they use the kerbs a lot or a little? Go in fast or come out fast? Watch the brakes, suspension, and tyres work overtime here.

T11 / T12 Melbourne Hairpin / Goddards Hairpin

It’ s been a while since Jake Dixon( Honda HRC) raced a Superbike at Donington, but he knows the track well all the same. He cites one of the less glamorous Donington sections as actually one of the most vital ones to do correctly.“ I would generally say the most difficult part to get right, and where you could lose the most time, is the last two corners,” said Jake.“ Yeah, they are only braking areas, but they are hard braking areas. So if you miss the apex, you are going to miss the exit and then miss all the drive out.”

This place is particularly important at the beginning and end of races.“ Imagine, lap one, it is crucial, especially if the rear is off the ground and you cannot stop, and if you are in the mid-pack, you have got a problem. Especially so into the Melbourne Loop,” said Jake.“ If you are out front, you just run wide. So in races, I would definitely say the last sector is the most important one to get right.”

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