Donington Park: A new winner will be crowned at the 32nd race weekend

The Superbike World Championship was founded in 1988 by the American Steve McLaughlin; it was only later that the Italian brothers Maurizio and Paolo Flammini took over, and from 2012 the Spanish agency Dorna assumed control. Given this history, it seems rather strange that the series’ first race was held at Donington Park. But it’s true: the English circuit is the birthplace of the production-based World Championship.

Racing has been taking place at the Donington Park Circuit since 1931; it is England’s first permanent race track. The circuit is situated in the heart of England, around 25 kilometres south-west of Nottingham. Over the course of more than 80 years, this historic circuit has been rebuilt several times, most recently in 2010. The first section of the circuit is consistently fast and flowing, with ascents and descents. The fastest corner is Craner Curves, which is taken at around 190 km/h. It is named after the former motorcyclist and founder of the circuit, Fred Craner. The bike must remain stable through this fast left-hand bend.

In contrast, the second section is demanding and technical, featuring tight hairpin bends where riders have to brake harder than on almost any other circuit on the calendar. Particularly slow sections include the tight chicane, the Melbourne Hairpin – which is taken in first gear – and the Goddards left-hander. These offer good overtaking opportunities and are the key sections on the 4,023-metre-long circuit.

From 2002 to 2006, races were held at Brands Hatch and Silverstone, whilst in 1994 two rounds took place at Donington. In 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the round at the British circuit was cancelled; since 2021, the Superbike World Championship has been a regular fixture there again. In 2026, the race weekend will take place in Leicestershire from 10 to 12 July.

A glance at the list of winners at Donington Park is astonishing. Toprak Razgatlioglu leads the way with twelve victories, ahead of Tom Sykes with nine – but neither is an active Superbike rider any more, and with just two exceptions, this applies to all 27 winners! Honda test rider Jonathan Rea (6 wins) is set to make a guest appearance. The only regular rider is Álvaro Bautista (Ducati), who won two races in 2023.

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Donington Park: FP1

FIM Superbike World Championship

10.07.2026 - 11:15

It is safe to assume that there will be a new winner in 2026. The favourite is World Championship leader Nicolò Bulega (Ducati), who has won all 21 races this year. The Italian has secured five second-place finishes at Donington to date.