The Future of Donington Park

[toppstuff]

I'd like to kick off a separate thread about the options for the future of this historic circuit.

I have enjoyed watching BSB and car racing at the place and driven a few times on trackdays as well. It is depressing to see the state it has gotten into.

On the face of it, it seems to have been acquired by a clueless chancer with dreams way beyond his level of competancy, who was stupid enough to wander into one of Bernie's games to be completely and totally played.

So what happens now? Will the track end up back on the market, for sale again ? Or is it doomed to a future of being some 2nd rate concert venue that happens to have a track around it?

It seems that WSB and touring cars are set to be there in 2010 ( the only 3 motorsport events listed for the whole of 2010 ) but is there the money to sort out the place, even for these events?

I don't know much about the current status of the place, so I'm happy to pull up a chair, have a cuppa and a chocolate hob nob and be educated by those who are closer to this than me.

So whats going to happen to the place?

TS

[TheArchitect]

Maybe the BRDC can buy it? Current climate i cant see anythign going on there now, itll stay as a music venue until someone who likes motorsport puts up the cash to get it repaired and useable again.

Edited by TheArchitect on Friday 23 October 09:57

[Truckosaurus]

I believe that the Wheatcroft family own the circuit and it is just leased out to Gillet's lot.

[Galileo]

The prospect of the circuit becoming derelict leaves me cold. I would like to think that after this farce has concluded it will be taken up by someone who knows what they're doing and restore it to it's former glory.

[raceboy]

From what I saw last weekend, (my pictures in the other thread), the place could be running the same level of motorsport as it was this year with no problems at all, if any of the track is damaged it is very small strips and could be repaired for not a lot of money at all, the infield just needs a lorry of grass seed and it'll be in better shape than it was before.
Nothing else had been touched if Gillet is removed and someone else stepped in sharpish it could be running trackdays before christmas.

Edited by raceboy on Friday 23 October 10:25

[Project 644]

Truckosaurus said:

I believe that the Wheatcroft family own the circuit and it is just leased out to Gillet's lot.

BUT, the lease supposedly reverts to Bernie.

[paulrockliffe]

Project 644 said:

Truckosaurus said:

I believe that the Wheatcroft family own the circuit and it is just leased out to Gillet's lot.

BUT, the lease supposedly reverts to Bernie.

As discussed at length on the other thread!

[Piglet]

paulrockliffe said:

Project 644 said:

Truckosaurus said:

I believe that the Wheatcroft family own the circuit and it is just leased out to Gillet's lot.

BUT, the lease supposedly reverts to Bernie.

As discussed at length on the other thread!

Did we ever get any evidence from the chap who said that this was the case?

[Project 644]

Piglet said:

paulrockliffe said:

Project 644 said:

Truckosaurus said:

I believe that the Wheatcroft family own the circuit and it is just leased out to Gillet's lot.

BUT, the lease supposedly reverts to Bernie.

As discussed at length on the other thread!

Did we ever get any evidence from the chap who said that this was the case?

No. I believe that it was speculated upon to Gillett himself and he didn't deny it. I can't remember who initially said it.

[elster]

Project 644 said:

Truckosaurus said:

I believe that the Wheatcroft family own the circuit and it is just leased out to Gillet's lot.

BUT, the lease supposedly reverts to Bernie.

I don't think that is quite right, Bernie isn't going to pay the lease.

So if the lease isn't paid it goes back to the owner.

[hot metal]

Theres still racing going on there surely ,I can here it most weekends .


Don`t get the time to go too much any more, only once last year.

[CastrolCraig.]

hot metal said:

Theres still racing going on there surely ,I can here it most weekends .


Don`t get the time to go too much any more, only once last year.

if you do, your hearing things, all motosport shut down in early september!!

[hot metal]

Oh that wasn`t that long ago I obviously haven`t been paying attention lately.