Arriving mid-morning allowed me a few minutes to catch up with a couple of the competitors in the paddock before heading to the grandstand above the entrance to the pit-lane for the rest of qualifying. This location provides a view of the run from the Chicane all the way to Redgate and, as a bonus, down the pit-lane.

It is also possible to get a shot of the cars entering the pits. A zoom lens in the 70-200mm range is fine from this grandstand.

Racing started after a short break for lunch during which I headed to my favoured spots at Donington on the inside of the circuit; swapping to the 200-500mm zoom. With minimal fencing for the most part, there are plenty of angles from Redgate all the way round to Coppice. For the first race for Historic Touring Cars, I grabbed a long shot of the first lap as the cars headed down the Craner Curves.

I was also after shots of the cars exiting the Old Hairpin. The “Anglebox” obliged with an oversteer moment and the immaculate A40 shows how to use the whole of the track (and beyond !).

Historic Formula Ford 2000 was up next with Pukka Pies sponsorship giving a strong hint that a visit to the chippie on the way home was in order. The Old Hairpin is a favoured overtaking point for the brave.

70s Road Sports was up next with a selection of cars that might well have been on my teenage “want” list. I was still down by the Old Hairpin which allowed for the iconic shot of the cars plunging down the Craner Curves. I would have loved an Alfasud Sprint (but was too sensible) – the one shown here looked far from standard !

I have seen Historic Formula Ford a number of times in recent years and it rarely fails to please. Close racing comes as standard all the way down the field. 

Standing between the Old Hairpin and Starkeys allowed for a shot of the cars exiting the former or heading up through towards Schwantz. 

The unusual Cooper Chinook (a new one to me but originating in Canada) was painted a glorious red which really did sparkle in the sunshine.

The main event was the Guards Trophy race where they were allowed 40 minutes for their two driver race.

To start with I was down at Starkeys for the exit of the Old Hairpin which provided for close action and occasional over-exuberance …

There is a good rear shot into Schwantz to which additional impact can be added by a touch of Dutch Tilt (a cinematic technique which originates from the 20s and is nothing to do with the Netherlands).

Walking up to the bank overlooking McLeans then allows for a tight panning shot of cars exiting that corner or a rear shot of the cars entering Coppice – another favoured overtaking spot.

For the next couple of races, which were for Classic F3 and Formula Junior, I stayed around McLeans. Cropping tightly gets rid of the inevitable fencing and, again, McLeans is a good spot for that late braking / overtaking manoeuvre.

For the final race, I headed to a new location for me – the outside of the chicane. This is largely protected by fences restricting snappers to a rear shot, but with the sun dropping in the sky and that warm early evening light, it can still provide a good photo. It was back to the 70-200mm zoom and enabled me to capture that demon last lap overtaking attempt …

Thanks to David Harbey Photography for helping out on this article.