The Donnington collection

[graememac]

I was planning on visiting the donnington collection this sunday but just checked the website and it says 'closed until further notice'. anybody got any info on this?? i hope its not to do with the current F1/Donnington GP struggle....

[dpbird90]

graememac said:

I was planning on visiting the donnington collection this sunday but just checked the website and it says 'closed until further notice'. anybody got any info on this?? i hope its not to do with the current F1/Donnington GP struggle....

It's nothing to do with the F1 shambles thats going on, they've closed it for now due to the death of Tom Wheatcroft.

[chevronb37]

I heard it was due to the Donington Park administration, not TW's death. This is all internet chatter though...

I was organising a trip for my local Lotus Owners' Club in January so had only recently been in conversation with the Collection. Fingers crossed Kevin is able to take charge of things and keep the Collection together...

[thunderbelmont]

As I understood it, the Collection belonged to, and was operated by, the Wheatcroft family, and was not part of DVLL and their shambles.

So, being closed as a mark or respect for the passing of Tom is probably closer to the point.

[Piglet]

The suggestion elsewhere is that whilst it is owned by the Wheatcrofta (or one of their co's), the museum was operated by DVLL hence its closure. I know not if this is true...

[andy97]

I am absolutely sure that when DVLL took over the lease at Donington then, for the first time, the operators of the circuit also took on responsibility for the Museum and the surrounding grounds, including the sunday market. Previously Donington Circuit had operated independently and the operators had just "owned" the ara behinf the concrete wall. If DVLL did have the rights to operate the museum as aprt of their lease then the Administartors are now responsible for what happens there & hence the reason why it is now shut.