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Donington Museum


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#1 john aston

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Posted 12 October 2014 - 09:55

I called in on friday for the first time in a decade. Very few visitors- 4 or 5 only - and a very different experience to the one I remembered . Lots of military vehicles which are fine if you like that sort of thing but  interest me not a jot- see one tank and you've seen 'em all. Lots more contemporary GP cars right up to 2008 Red Bull whose aerodynamics are incredibly sophisticated  - and terribly ugly compared to gems like the early 90s McLaren and Williams F1 cars (which are present in number ) , let alone gems like the Lotus 49 and BRM P153 . 

 

There is a 'but'- the layout was unimaginative and sloppy with cabinets of material wrongly labelled or not identified at all . And the text on the display boards next to the cars was just woeful- terribly written and peppered with errors both factual (since when did JYS drive a BRM in 1970?) and in the text itself- Grand Prix's anybody ? 

 

I am sure it is a work in progress and it is still a fantastic display but a bit more attention to detail would really improve things . Unless I 'm just a pedantic old git   ....   



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#2 foxyracer

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Posted 14 October 2014 - 12:31

How disappointing.  The last time I visited the museum was probably 6 or 7 years ago and I too noticed a number of errors on the exhibit labels.  Like you I found only a small handful of people wandering around but one of them was Tom Wheatcroft.  I congratulated him on his excellent book "Thunder in the Park" that I had read not long before but I went on to tell him about some of the errors I had spotted.  "Oooh we can't 'ave that can we" was his predictable response but I think by then his health was failing and it appears that nothing was done.  Perhaps someone needs to be told.  the exhibits themselves appeared to be still being maintained to a high standard when I was last there so it's a shame if the quality of presentation is spoiled by inaccurate descriptions.

 

The military vehicles are Kevin's passion and I have no problem with them as such - but I agree that they don't belong in a racing car museum.  Maybe they should be in a separate museum and given Donington's role in the war it might not be inappropriate for it to remain within the estate.  Perhaps a suitable corner could be identified where it would also be possible for them to be "exercised" from time to time.



#3 Alan Cox

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Posted 14 October 2014 - 12:55

When I was last there, within the last 12 months, the quantity of military exhibits seemed a little overpowering and didn't interest me particularly. However, I might have spent more time looking at them if they had been adequately described. and, as mentioned above, the attention to detail amongst the motor racing exhibits was sadly lacking. I well remember the early days of the collection, and how exciting it was but, nowadays, it does have the air of a forgotten museum, sadly. I can't imaging that the attendance figures pay for its upkeep these days - if, indeed, they ever did.



#4 f1steveuk

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Posted 14 October 2014 - 15:35

First time I met Tom, was in the museum (he seemed to spend a lot of time in there) and I mentioned I was dissapointed that my favourit car ever, Tyrrell 006/2, had a slightly flat tyre. He asked why it was my favourite, and I told him the first time I had seen it, on the telly in the German GP. The second time was when I got caught loitering near the Tyrrell factory at the end of the 1973 season, by Nora. She invited me in, gave me tea (I was 13) and biscuits, and was shown around! Even got a hello from "Uncle Ken" and allowed to sit in 006/2. I was also offered and airbox sticker, "CEVERT", but having seen the remains in the crate by the door I eclined (yes, I know). Tom listened, and went away. Ten minutes later he caught up with me with a foot pump. "Pump up the tyre boy, and you can sit in her again". Needless to say I did. I later had numerous chances to meet both Tom and Ken, who not only recalled these events, but would tease me rotten about it too! If only Tom was still n charge, they'd all be exercised daily.



#5 Gary C

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Posted 14 October 2014 - 16:03

'If only Tom was still in charge, they'd all be exercised daily.'

  What he said!



#6 kayemod

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Posted 14 October 2014 - 16:15

First time I met Tom, was in the museum (he seemed to spend a lot of time in there)

 

I've been twice, the last time was a few years ago, and Tom was in active attendance both times, the last time so chatty I had a job to get away. He must have practically lived in the place, and his real enthusiasm for all the exhibits was a pleasure to behold. Nothing at all against Kevin, I'm sure all of us are grateful that he's kept the museum going, but it's a shame that he seems to be rather less of a racing fan than his dad.



#7 mfd

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Posted 14 October 2014 - 16:56

Kevin isn't Tom, who undoubtedly was a one-off. Collectively we had 25+ years to enjoy looking at a phenomenal collection & sad though it is, times change.

 

I too had delightful times with Tom, ever a story teller & a mischievous one at that. Recall him telling my Wife, how he, being such a shy individual always had trouble "engaging" with ladies (chortle chortle) & knowing upstairs in the suite was a fully kitted out apartment complete with bedroom...I think he practiced :kiss:

 

I once introduced him to a friend who with a perfect English accent could pass for a native, but quietly saying, "Tom he's from Germany"  then followed the familiar long grumble & an easily heard, "well lad, I'd better not mention the ..."



#8 f1steveuk

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Posted 15 October 2014 - 12:35

You knew where you were with Tom. The times when I was at the museum I worked at, and the phone would ring, and instantly knew who it was, " Eh boy, Tom 'ere, now, about this........". Short and to the point!!