iRacing Donington Park – National Track Guide
Donington Park National is 1.98 miles of fast, flowing British circuit. The layout packs in Redgate, the steep downhill Craner Curves, Old Hairpin, McLean's, Coppice, and the Goddard's chicane. Elevation and commitment through Craner and Coppice define the lap. Used for GT, touring car, and club series on iRacing.
Overview
10 corners, 1.98 miles (3.186 km). Four lefts, six rights. Key sectors: the heavy braking into Redgate (T1); the steep downhill Craner Curves (T2–3)—one of the most demanding sequences in the UK; Old Hairpin (T4) and Starkey's Bridge (T5); Schwantz Curve (T6), McLean's (T7), and Coppice (T8); and the Goddard's chicane (T9–10) back onto the start-finish straight. Passing zones: Redgate (T1), Old Hairpin (T4), McLean's (T7), and Goddard's (T9–10).
Track map
Why This Track Is Difficult
Track limits, elevation change, and mixed-speed corner sequences make this layout hard to execute consistently over a race run. Most time is lost through compromised exits that carry all the way down the next straight.
Best Car Classes for This Track
Mazda: Teaches momentum and clean exits. GT3: Strong all-round race option with clear braking references. LMP3/LMP2: Faster classes gain most in flowing sectors but require disciplined traffic decisions at braking zones.
Sector and Corner Guide
Redgate (Turn 1)
Type: Tight right, 90°+. Gear: 2nd. Passing: Yes—lap 1 and restarts.
Braking: Heavy braking in a straight line. The slowest corner on the track. Trail brake for rotation.
Line: Late apex. Use the inside kerb. Smooth throttle on exit—the run to Craner starts immediately.
Common mistake: Braking too late and running wide. Missing the apex kills exit speed onto the downhill.
Craner Curves (Turns 2–3)
Type: Steep downhill left-hand sweep. Gear: 4th–5th. Passing: Rare—too fast and blind.
Technique: One of the scariest corners in the UK. Committed left-hander down the hill. Flat or slight lift depending on car. The track falls away—trust the line. Do not lift mid-corner.
Line: Use full width. Apex the left. Exit sets up the approach to Old Hairpin. Any lift or correction costs speed all the way to T4.
Common mistake: Lifting through the curves or steering too much. Craner rewards commitment and a smooth arc.
Old Hairpin (Turn 4)
Type: Medium-speed left. Gear: 3rd. Passing: Possible with overlap.
Braking: Medium braking. Trail brake for rotation.
Line: Late apex. Exit leads to Starkey's Bridge. Smooth throttle application.
Starkey's Bridge (Turn 5)
Type: Right-hander. Gear: 3rd–4th. Carry speed through; sets up the run to Schwantz Curve.
Schwantz Curve (Turn 6)
Type: Fast right. Gear: 4th–5th. Flat in many cars; slight lift in slower cars.
Line: Clip the apex. Use full track on exit. Leads to the braking zone for McLean's.
McLean's (Turn 7)
Type: Heavy braking right. Gear: 2nd. Passing: Yes.
Braking: Heavy braking. Late apex is critical—apex too early and you run wide on exit.
Line: Trail brake for rotation. Late apex. Exit is crucial for the run to Coppice.
Common mistake: Early apex and running wide. Poor exit kills speed through Coppice.
Coppice (Turn 8)
Type: Left-hander. Gear: 3rd–4th. One of the most important corners—early acceleration is critical.
Technique: Get on throttle as early as you dare. The exit leads onto the straight toward Goddard's. Any delay on throttle costs lap time.
Common mistake: Late throttle application. Coppice rewards early commitment on exit.
Goddard's (Turns 9–10)
Type: Right-left chicane. Gear: 2nd. Passing: Yes—final overtaking zone.
Braking: Heavy braking on entry. Trail brake into the first part.
Line: Right then left. Hit the apexes cleanly. Use full track on exit for the run to the start-finish line and Redgate.
Common mistake: Braking too late and overshooting. Poor exit kills straight-line speed.
Pit entry and exit
Pit entry: Typically after the start-finish line or as designated for the National layout. Stay off the racing line and signal. Check iRacing's pit blend line for the exact merge point.
Pit exit: Rejoins before Redgate or as marked. Merge with care—traffic is at speed. Use mirrors and the blend line.
Fuel usage
Donington National is 1.98 miles per lap with several heavy braking zones and short straights. Fuel consumption is moderate. Plan stints using your car's per-lap burn. Short-shift on the run from Coppice to Goddard's to save fuel when needed. Avoid lifting through Craner Curves for fuel save—lap time loss is too large.
Alternative Layouts
iRacing may offer additional venue configurations for this circuit. Use this guide as the baseline for the primary/full road-course layout and re-check braking markers, overtaking windows, and off-track limits before running an alternate layout in officials or hosted sessions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Beginner: Braking too late and sacrificing exits. Intermediate: Over-defending and losing run quality. Fix: Build repeatable markers, prioritize exits, and keep the car stable over kerbs and transitions.
Overtaking and Defending
- Redgate (T1): Best opportunity. Heavy braking; outbrake or defend
- Old Hairpin (T4): Possible with overlap from Craner run
- McLean's (T7): Heavy braking; outbrake into the corner
- Goddard's (T9–10): Chicane braking; outbrake or defend
Racecraft and Incident Avoidance
Lap 1 incidents usually come from late, reactive moves into heavy braking zones. Leave margin in opening laps, finish overtakes before turn-in points, and back out when overlap is incomplete.
Traffic Management Tips
Faster classes: Slower cars brake earlier for Redgate, McLean's, and Goddard's. Anticipate on the approach to Craner—visibility can be limited. Slower classes: Be predictable. Use mirrors and relative. Let faster traffic past on the straights where safe.
Setup Advice
Balance the car for the downhill Craner Curves—too soft and the car can feel vague; too stiff and it may skip. Brake bias: favour rear for rotation into Redgate and McLean's; move forward if the rears lock first. Coppice rewards a stable rear on exit—consider diff or rear bar settings that allow early throttle without excessive wheelspin.
Tyre Management
Front-left and rear-right take the most load: Redgate, Craner Curves, Old Hairpin, McLean's, and Goddard's. The circuit is flowing but not overly abrasive. Manage wear by smoothing steering and throttle; avoid aggressive kerb strikes. In long stints, rears can go away first—adjust brake bias and throttle as grip drops.
Qualifying vs Race Pace
Qualifying: Maximize one-lap commitment and kerb usage. Race: Trade small peak pace for legal exits, tyre consistency, and predictable traffic behaviour over stints.
Recommended gears
Typical GT3 reference (adjust for GT4, touring car, or slower cars):
| Section | Mazda | GT3 | LMP3 | LMP2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redgate (T1) | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd |
| Craner Curves (T2–3) | 4th–5th | 4th–5th | 4th–5th | 4th–5th |
| Old Hairpin (T4) | 3rd | 3rd | 3rd | 3rd |
| Starkey's Bridge (T5) | 3rd–4th | 3rd–4th | 3rd–4th | 3rd–4th |
| Schwantz Curve (T6) | 4th–5th | 4th–5th | 4th–5th | 4th–5th |
| McLean's (T7) | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd |
| Coppice (T8) | 3rd–4th | 3rd–4th | 3rd–4th | 3rd–4th |
| Goddard's (T9–10) | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd |
Final Tips
- Biggest time gain: Prioritize corner exits that feed long acceleration zones.
- Biggest race saver: Early, predictable decisions in traffic and braking phases.
- Hardest section: The highest-speed commitment sequence with limited margin.
- Best overtaking zone: The heaviest braking point after the longest straight.
Next: Silverstone Circuit (Grand Prix), Bathurst, or Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.