The smallest start field of the year

This proved to be a rather dull event with only three Bugattis participating. Of them only two went on to the finish with Earl Howe winning.

Donington Park circuit was the first permanent park circuit in England. It ended the race circuit monopoly the Brooklands had held since 1907. The circuit was situated in East Midlands, ten miles southeast of Derby, in the park near the 17th century Donington Hall.       In 1931, Alderman John Gillies Shields JP, who lived at the Hall, entered discussions with Fred Craner of the Derby and District Motor Club to establish a race course on the grounds of the Hall. Fred Craner was a former motorcycle driver who had taken part in seven Isle of Man TTs and the energetic secretary of the Derby & District Motor Club. The first motor cycle race took place on Whit Monday 1931 on a 2 mile 327 yd (3518 m) circuit.       For 1933 Craner obtained permission to build a permanent track. The current track was widened and tarmacked at a cost of £12,000, and the first car race was held on the 25th March, followed by three car meetings further that year. The track wad a different apperence in those early days with Starkey's Corner places close to what late would be Red Gate Corner and with the start and finish before the Hairpin Bend.       The Donington Park Trophy was an invitation race for 3 litre cars as the fouth of six races during the last event at Donington of the season. It was a Saturday event with practice taking part at Thursday.

Entries and practice: There were only seven entries for the race and of these only five turned up. There were three Bugatti entries, T.A.S.O. Mathieson with a T35C, Lindsey Eccles with a T35B and Earl Howe with a T35B. Freddie Dixon entered his Riley and Eddie Hall a MG Magnette while Ron Horton never turned up with his Magnette. Straight had engine trouble with his Maserati and did not arrive either. Then Dixon blew the head gasket on the Riley and the field was down to four.

Race: Rain started as soon as the cars lined up for the first race of the day and continued in showers all afternoon. After races for 800cc, 1100cc and 1500cc cars it was time for the main event. With only four cars the race would not count for the BRDC Road Star championship so Eddie Hall decided to be a late non starter, and reversed out from the grid. Noel Carr also returned to the paddock with his Bugatti so the field was down to three.

5 Eccles Bugatti 9 Howe Bugatti 4 Mathieson Bugatti

When the flag dropped Eccles made the best start to lead into the Hairpin Bend but at the end of the first lap Howe had taken over the lead from Eccles with Mathieson last, unable to keep contact with the duo. Aftet four laps Mathieson's car started to misfire and he stopped at Red Gate Lodge with flames coming out of the exhaust. He rejoined for a moment only to retire definitely after eight laps. During the later half of the race Eccles tried hard to keep up with the leader but lost ground and Howe could cruise home to take the flag.

Eventful first lap robs Taruffi of the win.