Wheatcroft makes Donington pledge
Added on Friday, January 8th, 2010 by Carole Nash Editor | One Comment
Wheatcroft makes Donington pledge
Donington Park owner Kevin Wheatcroft has vowed to make the circuit a world renowned racing venue once again in the memory of his late father.
The Wheatcroft family have taken back control of the Donington Park circuit after previous leaseholders Donington Ventures Leisure Limited (DVLL) went into administration following a failed attempt to attract F1 racing to the circuit.
Administrators, who were called in by DVLL in November, have failed to find a buyer for the Donington lease and handed it back to the Wheatcroft family last week. The circuit however remains in a state of disrepair following the ceased renovation work that took place last year, with the circuit currently unusable. Organisers of the British Superbike Championship have already withdrawn the venue from their calendar and other championships, including the World Superbikes championship, are expected to follow suit.
But Kevin Wheatcroft has vowed to restore the circuit to its former glories and bring back the memories that his father Tom Wheatcroft created when he rebuilt the circuit in the 1970s.
“My father lived for his work and motorsport. He put his heart and soul into Donington Park and he was very upset by what happened to it and the mess it was left in,” Wheatcroft told the Derby Telegraph.
“I am particularly upset because the Donington problems took up time that should have been spent with my father as he was dying.
“Whatever happens in the future, I will make sure his name will always be synonymous with the park.”
In terms of seeing racing back on the track, Wheatcroft added: “We have been assessing what is required to put things back as they were.
“We reckon this will cost in the region of about £600,000, but to get it up to grand prix standard you could add a couple of zeroes.
“We want to get the place operational again. Hopefully we can get it up and running again as soon as possible. I can reassure people we are doing everything we can to get things back to normal at Donington Park.”
Mr Wheatcroft has also given his support to the Facebook group “Save Donington” which, at time of writing, has more than 2,800 members.
Loading ...
One Comment
ray hague
January 15th, 2010Donnington is a bike circuit, always has been. Its up there with the very best and will be again, what about corporate sponsorship from say Triumph or Carole Nash etc. Sell the circuit name as per the Arsenal Emirate Stadium. Good luck and hurry back!