84 replies to this topic

[D.M.N.]

Seeimg as 'Donington Park from 2010' is not going to happen now, I think its time for a new thread to track the progress now that 2010 F1 @ Donington is officially off. Hopefully the downfall isn't going to continue.. but that's what it looks like at the moment.

Latest bit of news today from BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.u...ire/8429932.stm

Administrators have failed to find a buyer for the lease on the Donington Park racetrack, it has been confirmed.

The previous leaseholder Donington Ventures Leisure Limited went bust in November with debts of about £20m.

Despite having interest from several parties, an agreement to take over the track and the 150-year lease could not be reached, administrators said.

The lease will now go back to owners the Wheatcroft family to decide the future of the complex.

Donington Ventures Leisure Limited had won a 17-year contract to host the Formula One British Grand Prix but failed to raise enough backing.

Some work had already been done to convert the track but it was stopped part way through, meaning the course is currently not suitable for racing.

Earlier in December it was confirmed Donington would not host the 2010 British Superbike Championship, which had been a regular at the circuit.

[potmotr]

The best thing that could happen to Donington is for Jonathan Palmer to buy the track at a cheap price and get it back to racing condition.

If anyone has an interest in keeping the heritage of British motor racing intact it is Palmer.

He's a smart businessman too.

Losing MotoGP was terrible for the track though.

[primer]

They have lost both motoGP and F1. Well, they never even came close to hosting F1. Without having at least one 'highlight' event per season it is difficult to see how this track can remain a viable business.

[potmotr]

They have lost both motoGP and F1. Well, they never even came close to hosting F1. Without having at least one 'highlight' event per season it is difficult to see how this track can remain a viable business.

How about a DTM/F3 Euroseries round?

Suppose they'd have to get that off Brands Hatch first.. and Palmer owns Brands.

By the way, is the Donington Collection still in the same place?

If Gillett had moved that he should be strung up with his gold chain.

[The Ragged Edge]

The best thing that could happen to Donington is for Jonathan Palmer to buy the track at a cheap price and get it back to racing condition.

If anyone has an interest in keeping the heritage of British motor racing intact it is Palmer.

He's a smart businessman too.

Losing MotoGP was terrible for the track though.

As a business venture/or a going concern if you are as delusional as Simon Gillett was, there is no possibility of Donnington hosting any Blue Ribboned events like, F1 or MOTO-GP races in the near future and those are the real money spinners. A round or two of BSK wont cut it, nor will BTCC, so as a going concern what does Donnington have going for it? Plus its a lease deal, which will turn off many investors. In short Gillette was a fool, who had big dream, big ideas, but apparently advised by public schooled muppets. But what really irked me most about Gillett, was like most wide-boy schemers, he was still telling lies in the hope of luring gullible investors into his Donnington venture, when most sane people new the game was up. Gillett has single handedly ruined Donnington, and it will take at least a decade to bring it back to where it was in 2008.

[gillymuse]

Donginton have also been taken off the F2 calender, it's a shame because I was looking forward to watching some motorsport there in 2010 but it seems highly unlikely. The BTCC calender mentions Donington Park, whether that happens or not is yet to be seen.

[Rob]

The best thing that could happen to Donington is for Jonathan Palmer to buy the track at a cheap price and get it back to racing condition.

Agreed. All he needs really is the lease. JP is a smart businessman and under the MSV banner, the track could thrive.

[Anomnader]

If Donington had kept its traditional events whilst it attempted to gain F1 that I think it would be ok, but with losing them, I think the track is finished, I don't think it is going to be rescued, will the Wheatcrofts have the energy now to build it back up to just what it was before this farce?

Bernie and Gillett should be up in court for the damage their greed has done.

[Pink Snail]

There will be many differences of opinion on the Donington subject. Firstly, the collection was still housed in the same building as it always has been when the Administration moved in. Secondly, I think that the DVLL debt should not in the slightest be linked to the circuit but fall completely at the feet of Mr Gillett. BCE should be at least reminded continously for the next couple of years that he was part responsible for Donington`s downfall (even though his HFO Brabham in the hands of Joaquin Folch always goes well there!!!) Thirdly, I trust that the Wheatcroft family have the drive to see Tom`s hard work be rewarded once more with the help of the dedicated few that enjoy being at Donington no matter what is on the track. Also, we must remember that Donington has held quite a few rock concerts/festivals in its time with as many as 80,000 people over a weekend (puts some motor ace meetings to shame!). Finally, there are a few different series provisionally booked for 2010 including BTCC, The Masters Racing Series, VSCC (See Red) amongst others, so there is a glimmer of hope. Let us all hope that someone, somewhere is considering what can become of Donington Park once more!

[LucaP]

They've officially lost World Superbikes too...

It's sad, although it may lead to a return of Brands, which would be excellent

[ForeverF1]

There will be many differences of opinion on the Donington subject. Firstly, the collection was still housed in the same building as it always has been when the Administration moved in. Secondly, I think that the DVLL debt should not in the slightest be linked to the circuit but fall completely at the feet of Mr Gillett. BCE should be at least reminded continously for the next couple of years that he was part responsible for Donington`s downfall (even though his HFO Brabham in the hands of Joaquin Folch always goes well there!!!) Thirdly, I trust that the Wheatcroft family have the drive to see Tom`s hard work be rewarded once more with the help of the dedicated few that enjoy being at Donington no matter what is on the track. Also, we must remember that Donington has held quite a few rock concerts/festivals in its time with as many as 80,000 people over a weekend (puts some motor ace meetings to shame!). Finally, there are a few different series provisionally booked for 2010 including BTCC, The Masters Racing Series, VSCC (See Red) amongst others, so there is a glimmer of hope. Let us all hope that someone, somewhere is considering what can become of Donington Park once more!

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[MegaManson]

It is the fault of Wheatcroft and Ecclestone

Gillett was the head of a similar failed motorsports venture a while back in Wales where Gillett's company collapsed with massive debts so they should have carried out due dilligence checks on the guy so the fact he was handed the keys to Donnington lock stock and barrel and a 17 year GP lease without seemingly due dilligence checks being carried out reflects badly on Tim Wheatcroft and Bernie

[Sausage]

They should just put mud on it and make a sign: Rest in peace, Donington Park.

[alfsboy]

Did it ever run as profitable business? Or did Tom run it as a hobby ,making money from other enterprises which I know he did in the first instance .Such a shame ,It was well loved by Bikers and heavy metal fans,core business's ignored in the false allure of F1 .So sad .Mind you it was a bit of a dump really .I am sure the museum will stay on .
F1 ruins many ,makes a fortune for a few.

[Pink Snail]

[/mod] This QFT [mod]

Thanks for that Forever! Hopefully others will agree and get behind the Wheatcroft family and support Donington.

[undersquare]

Well this failure to sell the lease means it lapses and the track reverts to the Wheatcrofts. In theory they have the money they sold the lease for, don't they? £2.5m or something? I got the impression they sued Gillett to get that out of him.

If so that should be enough to get the track operational again and (for example) reopen the racing school and driving experience business.

Edited by undersquare, 25 December 2009 - 20:07.

[jee]

How does the track look now? In october it was more a ruin than a racing circuit...

construction works at Donington

Edited by jee, 25 December 2009 - 19:55.

[johnap]

They should just put mud on it and make a sign: Rest in peace, Donington Park.

No thanks.

I think the best thing for Donington would be for MSV to get the track.

[Pink Snail]

How does the track look now? In october it was more a ruin than a racing circuit...

construction works at Donington

Cheers for finding the pictures jee. They throw a bit more light on the subject. Although it looks bad, to anyone taking it on now there IS quite a it of work to do. If the track is to revert to the layout we all know, the earthwork above Craners/Old Hairpin lends itself to being made into spectator-friendly terracing and the inside of Coppice looks like it may be ready for a permanent structured Grandstand with facilities underneath it like there is on the outside approaches of Paddock Hill bend at Brands. The cosmetic track re-surfacing doesn`t actually look to be too much of a job (I am no expert mind you!) so maybe not too bad after all....

[Tufty]

Cheers for finding the pictures jee. They throw a bit more light on the subject. Although it looks bad, to anyone taking it on now there IS quite a it of work to do. If the track is to revert to the layout we all know, the earthwork above Craners/Old Hairpin lends itself to being made into spectator-friendly terracing and the inside of Coppice looks like it may be ready for a permanent structured Grandstand with facilities underneath it like there is on the outside approaches of Paddock Hill bend at Brands. The cosmetic track re-surfacing doesn`t actually look to be too much of a job (I am no expert mind you!) so maybe not too bad after all....

I agree, and maybe the infield 'quarry' could be made into a motocross track?

[DOF_power]

It's a shame.
It brought GP racing to Britain in the late 30s.
I still remember the 93 race.

Bernd Rosemeyer, Tazio Nuvolari, Ayrton Senna.

[Pink Snail]

I agree, and maybe the infield 'quarry' could be made into a motocross track?

My sentiments exactly Tufty, Motocross & Rallycross would bring yet more people in who would normally drive straight on past the gates!

[Rob]

Donington Park has closed.

[Pink Snail]

Donington Park has closed.

I am not entirely convinced that it is shut forever Rob. Let`s wait `til after the festive break to see what lies in store. Hopefully there will b epositive news and the loyal Donington staff will return to work sooner rather than later headed by someone who has the `best` interests of The Park to heart!

[Rob]

I am not entirely convinced that it is shut forever Rob. Let`s wait `til after the festive break to see what lies in store. Hopefully there will b epositive news and the loyal Donington staff will return to work sooner rather than later headed by someone who has the `best` interests of The Park to heart!

I know, but it's still sad nonetheless!

[Tufty]

I know, but it's still sad nonetheless!

Tell me bout it... the first day the museum closed was the day after my 17th bday... guess where i was headed that day?

Thats right, Donington museum.

I've not been so disappointed for years.

[pRy]

I am not entirely convinced that it is shut forever Rob. Let`s wait `til after the festive break to see what lies in store. Hopefully there will b epositive news and the loyal Donington staff will return to work sooner rather than later headed by someone who has the `best` interests of The Park to heart!

Someone needs to buy the lease. Either that or the Wheatcroft family decide to run the thing themselves, and unless that is financially possible for them, then you can forget that option. So someone has to see it as a good buy and right now that may not be the case. I don't think it's as simple as a few races coming back.. the entire ownership of the circuit has collapsed.

[Tufty]

Someone needs to buy the lease. Either that or the Wheatcroft family decide to run the thing themselves, and unless that is financially possible for them, then you can forget that option. So someone has to see it as a good buy and right now that may not be the case. I don't think it's as simple as a few races coming back.. the entire ownership of the circuit has collapsed.

Well the Wheatcrofts are owed a lot by DVL - now the administrators. Looking at the admin's figures for the Thresher group - useful to have a relative in that industry - the repayment of 1.5pence per pound owed suggests the family will be heavily out of pocket if these admin's are similar. So its unlikely they can run it themselves even if they want to.

[Demo.]

The administrators are not brought in to run a business but mealy to ensure they get the maximum amount of money back for the creditors.
As such the laying off of employees would be normal unless they considered they could get more by keeping the company going and clearly without being able to run any events at Donnington that was never going to be viable.
In some respects the laying off of the work force benefits Donnington as now if an interested party comes along they no longer have to worry about the wage bill while they get the venue ready.
The biggest worry for me about Donnington is its location its a brown field site which can clearly be shown to not have a use right now. It is very close to the motorway and with very little work the access could be improved.
I just hope the Wheatcrofts don't take the easy route and try to get planning permission on it to turn it into a new business park.

[pingu666]

my plan would be to patch the track up, maybe with concreate as that is cheap , cobble together a rallycross track, and you could probably get volenteers to help lay down turf and help tidy the place up abit. I dont know what else has changed apart from the track and surrounding earthworks... i guess they could look at optionaly adding a few semi permint stages for music concerts and stuff like that

[ivanalesi]

It's a big shame, the track was one of the very best.
I would put the blame equally on Gillett and BRDC with their PR propaganda. Gillett was a bit too ambitious and a bit unlucky, while the BRDC with their propaganda managed to scare the creditors. It's a shame, because no matter what the "Home of motorsport" style of bs says, Silverstone is one of the dullest tracks for F1 racing or more precisely F1 speed parades, while with Donnington F1 would have won.
We will see how far Silverstone/BRDC will go, but if Bernie thinks they are old fashioned, they've got to be ancient and CVC won't like such people.

[BuzzingHornet]

It's a big shame, the track was one of the very best.
I would put the blame equally on Gillett and BRDC with their PR propaganda. Gillett was a bit too ambitious and a bit unlucky, while the BRDC with their propaganda managed to scare the creditors. It's a shame, because no matter what the "Home of motorsport" style of bs says, Silverstone is one of the dullest tracks for F1 racing or more precisely F1 speed parades, while with Donnington F1 would have won.
We will see how far Silverstone/BRDC will go, but if Bernie thinks they are old fashioned, they've got to be ancient and CVC won't like such people.

I totally disagree with saying that the BRDC had anything to do with this fiasco, they pushed for keeping the race at Silverstone but Bernie sold it to Donington without obviously checking the books and seeing if the money was there. They never had the money for this, and were hoping investors would come along... totally mad.

I love Donington, been there many times and would be gutted if the place ended up closing because of this.

Gillett wasn't unlucky, he was just stupidly gambling with money he didn't have.

Edited by BuzzingHornet, 28 December 2009 - 18:13.

[Pink Snail]

Bringing the topic of Donington back into the limelight for a moment. The latest news seems to be coming up on the Nostalgia Forum and there is quite a bit of support for the venue and the Wheatcroft family should they choose to carry on running the Track. The Collection/shop/cafe is more or less self sustainable so the track is top of the list right now. It would be nice for everyone to start the New Year not talking of Donington in the past tense because it is still there and there is still support for it carrying on.
I agree that there has been a downfall in it`s fortune but it is not over by a long chalk. Please show support for the place and let us all hope that racing resumes soon. There is no big date on the calendar but the crowd at the BTCC race in September will be a poke in the eye for the doubters at this moment in time...

[Tufty]

Bringing the topic of Donington back into the limelight for a moment. The latest news seems to be coming up on the Nostalgia Forum and there is quite a bit of support for the venue and the Wheatcroft family should they choose to carry on running the Track. The Collection/shop/cafe is more or less self sustainable so the track is top of the list right now. It would be nice for everyone to start the New Year not talking of Donington in the past tense because it is still there and there is still support for it carrying on.
I agree that there has been a downfall in it`s fortune but it is not over by a long chalk. Please show support for the place and let us all hope that racing resumes soon. There is no big date on the calendar but the crowd at the BTCC race in September will be a poke in the eye for the doubters at this moment in time...

well said

[Pink Snail]

Please check out the latest news on the Nostalgia Forum regarding this weekends get together at the Collection to show moral support for the Wheatrcroft family and the future of Donington Park. This Saturday is the first step to show that we care about Donington and it`s future. It`s not over until Susan Boyle is at number one again so come on you guys - time is in our favour now, this Saturday then March the 7th....

[screamingV16]

Donington is in a sad, sad state these days, have many great memories of TGP races there.

Couple of photos from a very wet 2003....

Edited by screamingV16, 04 January 2010 - 21:14.

[JPW]

A bit of good news on the Donington track

Donington owner vows to revive circuit

[Beej]

A bit of good news on the Donington track

Donington owner vows to revive circuit

That is good news. Altough I marshal at Rockingham and Silverstone as well it is always a toss up between Mallory Park and Donington as my favourites.

[Victor_RO]

http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/80869

Jonathan Palmer has described Donington Park's present situation as 'tragic' but insists it is too early to say if his MotorSport Vision group would add the Leicestershire track to its portfolio.

Come on! If these people don't step in, Donington is probably officially dead.

[Sausage]

Whatever they do, the first thing is make some money and use that money to rebuild the track to how it was before the F1-nonsense. It was a brilliant track, and they butchered it beyond belief. If they can't do that then I stand by my previous comment

[egg1980]

There will be many differences of opinion on the Donington subject. Firstly, the collection was still housed in the same building as it always has been when the Administration moved in. Secondly, I think that the DVLL debt should not in the slightest be linked to the circuit but fall completely at the feet of Mr Gillett. BCE should be at least reminded continously for the next couple of years that he was part responsible for Donington`s downfall (even though his HFO Brabham in the hands of Joaquin Folch always goes well there!!!) Thirdly, I trust that the Wheatcroft family have the drive to see Tom`s hard work be rewarded once more with the help of the dedicated few that enjoy being at Donington no matter what is on the track. Also, we must remember that Donington has held quite a few rock concerts/festivals in its time with as many as 80,000 people over a weekend (puts some motor ace meetings to shame!). Finally, there are a few different series provisionally booked for 2010 including BTCC, The Masters Racing Series, VSCC (See Red) amongst others, so there is a glimmer of hope. Let us all hope that someone, somewhere is considering what can become of Donington Park once more!

Here here
Watching BTCC, Truck Racing, GTs, DTM, FPA, F3, Historic F1 etc at Donington when I was younger is how I became a life-long motor racing fan. It would be sad beyond belief if all that history was lost!

[pingu666]

Whatever they do, the first thing is make some money and use that money to rebuild the track to how it was before the F1-nonsense. It was a brilliant track, and they butchered it beyond belief. If they can't do that then I stand by my previous comment

they can have both layouts i think ?

[gillymuse]

The donington-park.co.uk website is finally back up, but not as it was before, just saying that it's back open.

[Phil82]

Not sure if it has already been mentioned on here but have you seen this

http://www.savedonington.co.uk/

From reading different articles it sounds like it's going to be a good day and from what started out as one mans small idea it has just grown and grown.

Hopefully it will raise lots of awareness and with a bit of luck they might be able to raise some funds to fix the track.

[Tufty]

Not sure if it has already been mentioned on here but have you seen this

http://www.savedonington.co.uk/

From reading different articles it sounds like it's going to be a good day and from what started out as one mans small idea it has just grown and grown.

Hopefully it will raise lots of awareness and with a bit of luck they might be able to raise some funds to fix the track.

I wish I could go, but it kinda lands in the middle of a college day...

EDIT: At least, I need to back at college that evening anyway

Edited by Tufty, 24 February 2010 - 15:54.

[Pink Snail]

There is a thread active on the Nostalgia Forum to bring anyone up to date with Sunday`s parade. As has already been said, what started as one mans idea (Leroy Boyce) has become a major event in the goings on at DP presently. All is not doom and gloom and if anyone is interested it is going to be a great day and not worth missing. If you are local and woulld like to show your support for Kevin Wheatcroft and his loyal staff then it would be nice to see you... to see you nice!!!! Cheers for reading this - Keith M.

[BrokenBaculum]

Not sure if it has already been mentioned on here but have you seen this

http://www.savedonington.co.uk/

From reading different articles it sounds like it's going to be a good day and from what started out as one mans small idea it has just grown and grown.

Hopefully it will raise lots of awareness and with a bit of luck they might be able to raise some funds to fix the track.

The Clinton Enterprises banner at the bottom has spelled Donington wrong.

[Pink Snail]

Approx 7,500 people , 400+ cars on show , sunny and fine , great atmosphere loads of happy punters - is this really the downfall of Donington 2010 - more like the rebirth of a circuit that many had written of a few short weeks ago - "watch this space!!"

[undersquare]

Approx 7,500 people , 400+ cars on show , sunny and fine , great atmosphere loads of happy punters - is this really the downfall of Donington 2010 - more like the rebirth of a circuit that many had written of a few short weeks ago - "watch this space!!"

[wewantourdarbyback]