PowerNights Heads to Donington Park

06 August 2007

After the success of the opening event at Silverstone last week the second PowerNights event, sponsored by the Keystone Computer Group, will be held at Donington Park on Thursday 09 August. PowerNights is the motorsport equivalent of Twenty20 cricket and is devised to provide an entertaining 4-hour programme of motorsport in a spectator friendly format.

Eight action packed races, with a total of over 90 cars and drivers have already signed up to take part, with race organisation by the British Racing and Sports Car Club (BRSCC). Each of the four race groups of easily recognisable cars, will compete in two 10-minute plus one lap races, with trophies and prize money for the top three finishers.

The four double header race groups for Donington Park on Thursday 09 August will be:-
Invitation Mazda MX5 with Max 5 Racing
Invitation Classic Road Sports
The AVIS Trophy for Invitation Saloon & Sports
Invitation Minis

“After the success of the inaugural event at Silverstone last week we are pleased that we have even more teams and drivers signed up for the next event at Donington Park this Thursday,” said PowerNights Series Director Roger Etcell. “Such was the response from competitors across different race groups that we had to take the hard decision which four groups would get to race at Donington Park. With over 20 cars entered to date in each group, we decided to stage separate Invitation Mini and Invitation Saloon and Sports races and regrettably not be able to schedule a race for Formula Ford as entries had only reached 12 by last Friday, the decision day. However we do see single seaters as an important race group as we move PowerNights forward and we still plan to have a race group for Formula Fords at Silverstone at the final PowerNights event on 30 August, subject to entries.”

PowerNights, which is the motorsport equivalent of Twenty20 cricket, will stage three events this summer. The first was held on Thursday 02 August at Silverstone, with the final event of the series at the same Northamptonshire track on 30 August. Between these two Silverstone events, the first PowerNights at Donington Park will be held this Thursday, 09 August. Each of the PowerNights events will have a packed 4-hour, spectator friendly schedule, which will include plenty to entertain the whole family from 5:15pm, with the racing starting at 6pm.

While the on track action is provided by the race cars taking part, there are plenty of other opportunities for visitors to be entertained at each of the three PowerNights events. Before the racing gets underway, and throughout the evening, stunt display driver extraordinaire Terry Grant will wow the crowd with his unique show of car control.

PowerNights Radio, transmitting on 1602MW, will keep the crowd supplied with the latest information during the events. Hosted by local radio DJ John Griff and featuring some of the best commentators in the UK, PowerNights Radio will be on air from 5pm with a combination of commentary, music and competitions. A free PowerNights radio will be given away with each programme and spectators will be able to purchase extra radios at just £3 each.

Spectators can also get involved in the racing by naming the driver they think is going to win each race. One spectator will win a Scalextric ‘Power Slide’ set for each of the eight races and they will be presented with their prize on the race podium by the winning driver.

Each of the race winners will receive a special crystal trophy, a winners garland, a cheque for £300 and the traditional bottle of champagne. Drivers finishing 2nd and 3rd will also receive a crystal trophy and £125 and £75 respectively, all presented on the PowerNights stage, the highlight of the Party in the Paddock immediately following the last race at approx 8:45pm.

PowerNights aim is to attract a brand new audience to watch UK motorsport with an entertaining package of track action, stunt displays, interactive competitions, music and a post racing ‘Party in the Paddock’ that is open to everyone attending the PowerNights events. Ticket prices are also very spectator friendly with advance adult tickets at just £10 (£15 gate) and children under 16 receiving free entry.

See series calendars for all 2007 PowerNights

Related Story 03.08.2007 - The Sun Shines on First PowerNights Event