We’ve reached the end of what has been another hugely successful motorsport season across the MSV venues on both two and four wheels. Whether you are a volunteer marshal, official, competitor or spectator, please take our best festive wishes into the final days of 2023 and enjoy Christmas if you are celebrating over the coming days.
Our venues hosted a full calendar of national and international motorsport events throughout the year, with live audiences present and as enthusiastic as ever. The race season ran from March to November, with stage rallies at Brands Hatch and Donington Park bookending the year in January and November.
Beyond that, MSV’s wider business has continued to grow and thrive. MSV began a major overseas expansion when Circuito de Navarra joined the group in November of last year and the first phase of major improvements was carried out earlier this year. MSV has ambitious plans for the circuit which is located near beautiful cities like Pamplona and Logrono as well as the iconic Rioja region. And further significant projects are already planned and underway ahead of a 2024 season which includes a round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship in April.
In addition to the ongoing improvements at Circuito de Navarra, work continues apace on developing the spectacular 1790 Grade II* listed Donington Hall property into a superb 49 bedroom hotel, reinstating the historic association with the Donington Park motor racing circuit. The hotel will be a haven of relaxed luxury for all motorsport enthusiasts and is planned to open in 2025.
Work is also underway on the Couvron development in north-east France, with a view to establishing the venue as a self-sufficient eco circuit.
On top of all that, we remain firmly committed to maintaining and improving all five of MSV’s UK circuits - Brands Hatch, Donington Park, Oulton Park, Snetterton and Cadwell Park. Indeed, Donington Park was subject to a wholesale resurfacing programme for the 2023 season, the first resurfacing of the venue in more than 20 years!
On the circuit, highlights this year included a sensational Bennetts British Superbike Championship season which went down to the final lap of the season. Tommy Bridewell claimed an emotional maiden title, paying tribute both to his late brother Ollie and iconic team boss Paul Bird who died just a few weeks before the season’s end.
Ash Sutton meanwhile was the dominant force in national four-wheeled competition, securing a record equalling fourth Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship title at Brands Hatch, whilst Darren Leung and Dan Harper claimed the Intelligent Money British GT crown at Donington Park.
Brands Hatch once again hosted the final rounds of the British Truck Racing Championship too, before the calendar of major events came to a close with a huge fireworks display in front of a sell-out crowd. There were displays at Oulton Park and Cadwell Park too accompanying popular winter stage rallies.
Callum Voisin claimed the most coveted prize in British single-seater racing when he won the GB3 Championship partnered by the BRDC. Joseph Loake, who finished third in the final standings was also hugely impressive and underlined the quality of this year’s grid by winning the prestigious Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Award, following in the footsteps of George Russell.
GB3’s feeder series GB4 continued into its second season this year too, with grids expanding for the cost-effective entry level series. Tom Mills was a deserving champion after winning 10 races.
Other notable moments included the return of MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi to Brands Hatch for his second full-time campaign in Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS campaign. Rossi claimed a maiden podium in the second race of the event and we’ll watch with great interest as he debuts in the World Endurance Championship next year.
Additional major highlights included American SpeedFest 10, as Brands Hatch celebrated a decade of NASCAR-headlined family fun. The event featured a dedicated SpeedFest Country music festival for the first time in 2023 and we’re all looking forward to expanding that further on 8/9 June next year.
Beyond that, other significant fixtures this season included the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship’s annual visit to Donington Park, Oulton Park’s signature Gold Cup, Cadwell Park’s summer Bennetts British Superbike Championship party, major national meetings at Snetterton and so much more.
We're already looking forward to opening our gates to fans for much more in 2024. We have a very strong calendar in place for next year and many event tickets and season passes are available to purchase now.
Trackdays, testing and driving experiences have all been hugely popular throughout this year and a busy schedule is already in place for the next 12 months. Our PalmerSport driving experience will resume in the spring too, for another year of world-beating on-track thrills.
We're closing for the festive break from 1pm on Friday 22 December but we will be open for business once more on Tuesday 2 January. Please bear with us as any email or social media enquiries sent between now and then will be responded to when we return.
Until then, everyone at MSV would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Stay safe and we'll look forward to seeing you in 2024.