Tom Wheatcroft RIP

[skeggysteve]

Very sad news.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/79938

"Donington Park owner Tom Wheatcroft has died at the age of 87.

The British businessman passed away yesterday morning after a long illness."

RIP Tom and thanks for everything you did for motorsport.

[fred flange]

Sad news for his family and the circuit as well,to have an illness and the stress of Gillet ruining your pride and joy could not of been nice.

[woof]

Just saw this - RIP

[DJC]

A true gent.

[rsturbo]

R.I.P will be sadly missed

[Mojocvh]

Very sad news indeed.

[Eric Mc]

Hmmm - what future now Donington Park?

Sad news all round.

[LoudV8]

I remember him driving a Merc (W196??) at Donny in '93 in a torrential downpour. Apparently he had a small heart attack whilst doing the lap.

[NewMetalSystem]

I'm currently reading The Lost Generation. It's a shame he'll never know the outcome of his tracks bids.
Rest in Peace.

[llewop]

Eric Mc said:

Hmmm - what future now Donington Park?

Sad news all round.

agreed - sad day.

Hopefully whoever takes over at least manages to get the place back in one piece to be able to hold other races next year and beyond - that would be a fitting tribute, not the worry that the circuit will go with him.

[heightswitch]

A legend, True motorsport gent and alround good guy.

The stories around him are as famous as the man himself. This is the man who built a Bugatti Royal from drawings. When interviewed about it he stated he wasn't going to pay £8 million for an old one. Mines a bargain at £3million he said.

A great Team manager. May he enjoy some laughs up their with Roger Williamson.

RIP Tom.

N.

[hot metal]

RIP

[CooperD]

Very sad news. I always enjoyed my visits to Donington Park. RIP Tom.

[Redlake27]

To his son Kevin and the family - you must be incredibly proud of Tom's legacy.

The Donington Collection will hopefully be a lasting tribute to Tom's love of motorsport.

[Athlon]

R.I.P. Mr Wheatcroft, thanks for all your contribuions to British motorsport.

[MartG]

RIP Tom

[skeggysteve]

A very good potted biography on GrandPrix.com

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns21970.html

[kevin ritson]

NewMetalSystem said:

I'm currently reading The Lost Generation. It's a shame he'll never know the outcome of his tracks bids.
Rest in Peace.

I gained a much greater insight to Tom's contribution via this excellent and very moving book. I dearly hope to be able to finally walk through the doors of the Donington Collection next year, something that I never seem to get round to doing.

[MrSpike]

Redlake27 said:

To his son Kevin and the family - you must be incredibly proud of Tom's legacy.

The Donington Collection will hopefully be a lasting tribute to Tom's love of motorsport.

Edited by MrSpike on Monday 2nd November 12:21

[pw75]

RIP Mr Wheatcroft. My first proper track experience at Dony, was enough to make me start racing and I've seen raced there twice.