I see Donington Park website has gone...!

[cirvy]

Very sad!

Does anyone have any latest news???

[FNG]

All the latest from Donington is on this thread
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[andy97]

It gets worse:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbi...

[Curry Burns]

andy97 said:

It gets worse:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbi...

Completely off topic, but BBCs reporting as good as ever, the picture in the story in an old MotoGP pic

[anonymous-user]

I can see Jonathan's point regarding wanting to finalise the calendar, but isn't that jumping the gun a bit for an event almost a year away?

It's certainly bad news for the circuit, it might even be a pressure tactic to improve MSV chances of taking over the lease if thats what they are interested in doing?

[skwdenyer]

johnfelstead said:

I can see Jonathan's point regarding wanting to finalise the calendar, but isn't that jumping the gun a bit for an event almost a year away?

It's certainly bad news for the circuit, it might even be a pressure tactic to improve MSV chances of taking over the lease if thats what they are interested in doing?

You can't possibly be suggesting a conflict of interest on the part of JP, can you? Whatever next!

[Leroy Boyce]

Hello all,

I'm an Elise owner, and this is my first post here. I usually contribute to SELOC, but I have a request of you all...

I'm a regular attendee of Donington Park, and at the moment, the future looks very bleak indeed. This whole messy saga is literally keeping me awake at night, as I adore the place.

I've had an idea - allow me to C&P...

SAVE DONINGTON Parade

6/7th March

I'm, personally, devastated about this whole situation at Donington Park. It is my favourite circuit, and I look forward to attending several times every year.

Since Simon Gillett got his greasy hands on the venue, I've been dreading the worst. After digging the track up, rendering it unsuitable for racing and running up massive debts, it seems this week it has happened. All the staff have been laid off, and the future is very uncertain for this wonderful, historic circuit.

I've been wracking my brains, wondering what a skint bloke, with no contacts could possibly do about this situation, and I came up with an idea...

If several dozen (even, dare-I-say-it hundreds of) enthusiasts were to turn up at the circuit, it would send out a strong message.

What about if other forums/marques were contacted too, and the local TV station and newspapers?

We could demonstrate the affection the public has for the circuit, and also that it should remain the best (or, one of) national/club circuits in Britain.

This would, surely, reassure the Wheatcroft family/local council/potential investors that Donington Park not only has a fine history, but also a strong future too.

I'm aiming for a weekend in early March, as the weather should better, the days are getting longer, and there should be no clashes on the events calendar.

What I need is know is there are a good few like-minded enthusiasts out there who are prepared to sacrifice a day from their busy schedule and take a pleasant drive to the Midlands.

(Just for the record, there is also a darn-fine collection of historic racing cars, should anyone wish for a second reason to make the trip!)

If you think you'd be able to attend, please send an email to

[e-mail]

and let's see what we can achieve...

Cheers.

Edited by Leroy Boyce on Wednesday 30th December 01:52

Edited by Leroy Boyce on Wednesday 30th December 02:01

Edited by Leroy Boyce on Wednesday 30th December 02:05

[sfaulds]

What are you trying to achieve with this? Just annoying the locals a bit more? If no-one has taken up the lease by March, do you really think that someone will have a light-bulb moment when they seen a report in the local paper of a load of people turning up one day, and think "*NOW* I'll gamble £5m a year running it!". And would you actually want the sort of person (should they exist) who would make that sort of decision running the place?

[retrorider]

Wouldn't Jonathan Palmer be interested in the circuit to add to his collection... ?

[Leroy Boyce]

sfaulds said:

What are you trying to achieve with this? Just annoying the locals a bit more? If no-one has taken up the lease by March, do you really think that someone will have a light-bulb moment when they seen a report in the local paper of a load of people turning up one day, and think "*NOW* I'll gamble £5m a year running it!". And would you actually want the sort of person (should they exist) who would make that sort of decision running the place?

I take it you don't support the cause then?!

I'm trying to achieve the following: Donington remains a motorsport circuit.

[fastfreddy]

Is the plan to drive around the vicinity in convoy or to try and get access to the circuit and park wherever you can?

Either way, it doesn't sound to me like it's going to do anything other than cause inconvenience, especially if you were to get a big turnout.

You'd get a lot more support and goodwill by channelling your time and efforts into something like a petition, on-line campaign, Youtube channel, even maybe write a song about it!

Look at what can be achieved by someone like the guy who started up the "Rage against X-Factor" campaign before Christmas. By spreading the word using forums and carefully targeted PR, he managed to get one over on one of the most powerful men in showbiz and it cost him very little.

You can make a difference, but I don't think your current plan will help much.

[sfaulds]

It's not a cause - it's a business. As for not supporting it, I have a vested interest in seeing it remain an operational circuit, but I don't think a fish n' chip run is going to do anything other than make the participants feel better and irritate the locals.

[Leroy Boyce]

fastfreddy said:

You'd get a lot more support and goodwill by channelling your time and efforts into something like a petition, on-line campaign, Youtube channel, even maybe write a song about it!

I'm sorry, but I'd have to disagree. From my experience, petitions, online, youtube and songs are easily ignored...

Sunday 7th looks favourite...

[fastfreddy]

Well, it doesn't look like you are going to pay any attention to constructive criticism, so I look forward to hearing about your successful event

[mrmr96]

fastfreddy said:

Well, it doesn't look like you are going to pay any attention to constructive criticism, so I look forward to hearing about your successful event

He's doing more to save the circuit than you are. So good luck to him.

[fastfreddy]

mrmr96 said:

fastfreddy said:

Well, it doesn't look like you are going to pay any attention to constructive criticism, so I look forward to hearing about your successful event

He's doing more to save the circuit than you are. So good luck to him.

There's not a lot any of us can do to save it at the moment, but if someone comes on here asking for us to support their poorly thought out 'plan' then they invite comment and criticism, which is what they got in this case.

It's clear they haven't considered where they will go, what they will do or even contact anyone at Donington to see if they are likely to sanction or help with the event. In my book, that approach is not going to help save the circuit.

[smifffymoto]

Unfortunatley I fear Donningtons future doesn't look good but it's good to see some people are bothered enough to try and whip up some enthusiasm to try and change the outcome for this excellent circuit.
It's a shame a few can only pass critism and scorn on this.Instead why don't you get off your arse a think of something which may help.

[Leroy Boyce]

fastfreddy said:

It's clear they haven't considered where they will go, what they will do or even contact anyone at Donington to see if they are likely to sanction or help with the event. In my book, that approach is not going to help save the circuit.

If you read every post I've been typing, I'm initially trying to judge how many people might be interested in turning up, before confirming any of my arrangements.

Also, with respect, you have no idea as to what plans I have initially started, or phonecalls I've made etc.

I also might add that I'm open to any critisism, constructive or otherwise, but I feel this is a harmless, yet powerful statement that can be made by Donington supporters. I also, personally, feel that petitions are easily ignored, as are online sites and "songs". Besides, you should hear how bad my singing voice is!

As I said right at the start, I am literally devastated about the treatment of DP, and know full-well that I do not have the contacts, nor financial clout to save Donington on my own. I figured if a strong show of support was apparent - in the form of a friendly parade, it would demonstrate how well-loved the track is as a motor-racing circuit.

I can't quite see the problem. If you don't agree, then don't join in. However, if you do feel passionately about Donington's future, this might help?

[Leroy Boyce]

Please visit the Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=app_23...id=26...

Add your name to the event:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=2339...818&a...

If you can't make it, or don't use Facebook, please send a message of support to:

[e-mail]

If anyone does have have "strong" points of contact, please send them to the email address above.

Thanks again for all your continued support.