News

Donington owner, Wheatcroft, passes away

Sunday 1st November 2009

Tom Wheatcroft, the owner of the Donington Park race circuit which had been scheduled to stage next year's British Formula One Grand Prix, has died.

He passed away, aged 87, Saturday morning at his home in Arnesby near Leicester following a long illness.

Two years ago, Wheatcroft signed a 150-year lease for the circuit to be operated by Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd, who then signed a 10-year agreement for the British Formula One Grand Prix to be staged there.

But when DVLL failed to come up with the funding needed to upgrade facilities and stage the race, the rights were taken away by Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

Ecclestone began talks to take the race to Silverstone, which staged the GP this year, when it became clear Donington would not be staging its second F1 race.

The first time was the European Grand Prix in 1993 in what was the fulfilment of a long-held dream for Wheatcroft.

Born close to the village of Castle Donington, he built up a personal fortune estimated at £120million in the building and construction industries.

Having run a racing team in the 1960s he bought Donington Park in 1971, as part of the Donington Hall estate, at a cost of £100,000.

After rebuilding the race track he moved his classic car collection to the circuit with the Donington Grand Prix Exhibition becoming the largest collection of motor racing cars in the world.

Your Comments

thewoof

"Very sad news, not many like him left."

Jamese_1989

"RIP"

idsmag

"I really am sorry to here this really sad news and wish to pass on my sincere condolences on to his family, Tom was by far one of the most genuine of people who have ever been involved in the sport.

I consider myself much richer from knowing him and can only say that he will be sadly missed by all sectors of motorsport.

Tom I hope you look on us all from above and forgive those who have made such a mess of your beloved Donington Park.

"

biso9700

"RIP Tom!, he really was a petrolhead to the core!, i have enjoyed many a great weekend at Donington, including the 93 Euro GP, so thanks for the great times to a great man!, sincere condolences to his family!"

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