Save Donington Park - Saturday 06/03/10
Discussion
Instigated by a fellow Lotus owner I felt compelled to cross post on here an event arranged for either Saturday 06/03/10 or Sunday 07/03/10 in an attempt to save Donington Park.
I'm sure, like me, you're all upset at the current state of Donington Park.
So, whatever car you drive, or whatever bike you ride, please come to join in on Saturday 6th or Sunday 7th March 2010 to demonstrate that we need Donington to continue. Please indicate which date you prefer.
Please spread the word to any other marque specific forums that may be interested.
Here's the link to the original post on SELOC - http://forums.seloc.org/showevent.php?eid=2463
I'm sure, like me, you're all upset at the current state of Donington Park.
So, whatever car you drive, or whatever bike you ride, please come to join in on Saturday 6th or Sunday 7th March 2010 to demonstrate that we need Donington to continue. Please indicate which date you prefer.
Please spread the word to any other marque specific forums that may be interested.
Here's the link to the original post on SELOC - http://forums.seloc.org/showevent.php?eid=2463
Edited by MartinQ on Wednesday 30th December 02:26
Leroy Boyce said:
SAVE DONINGTON Parade - 6th.Mar.10 (Sat)
6th.Mar.10 (Sat)
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) Lotus-owning 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!)
Please leave a comment below, and let's see what we can achieve...
Cheers.
6th.Mar.10 (Sat)
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) Lotus-owning 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!)
Please leave a comment below, and let's see what we can achieve...
Cheers.
ok i see the plan. but there would need to be a bit more in the way of organisation ....for example if the gates are locked we'll all be trying to park on the road outside which will do nothing but cause a jam.
i'll have a think about it and see what i can come up with.
email me through my profile and we can take this offline until there's a plan.
i'll have a think about it and see what i can come up with.
email me through my profile and we can take this offline until there's a plan.
Thanks again for that, Martin.
Hello Harsh,
I've read that the Donington Collection has reopened (but that's about it), so I've assumed the car park there will be unlocked.
I'm also looking into the possibility of the Saturday 6th or the Sunday 7th for the parade to turn up.
Sure, it will need some organisation, but I wanted to see what sort of interest there was "out there" before I started the ball rolling.
I've just set up an email address for interested people, so you could mail me there, if you like?
savedonington@live.co.uk
Hello Harsh,
I've read that the Donington Collection has reopened (but that's about it), so I've assumed the car park there will be unlocked.
I'm also looking into the possibility of the Saturday 6th or the Sunday 7th for the parade to turn up.
Sure, it will need some organisation, but I wanted to see what sort of interest there was "out there" before I started the ball rolling.
I've just set up an email address for interested people, so you could mail me there, if you like?
savedonington@live.co.uk
Hmm OK,so what do you think you are going to achieve? You'd be better off all sticking a tenner in the post to Wheatcroft & So or even better going to grass roots motorsport week in week out over the season.
Donington is a commercial enterprise, the lease has reverted to Wheatcroft & Son - I'm pretty sure they know how we all feel about Donington but it's not a charity and it has to be financially viable to reinstate the circuit and run it.
Nice idea but I'm not sure stamping our feet on the ground that we want a race circuit is going to achieve anything?
Donington is a commercial enterprise, the lease has reverted to Wheatcroft & Son - I'm pretty sure they know how we all feel about Donington but it's not a charity and it has to be financially viable to reinstate the circuit and run it.
Nice idea but I'm not sure stamping our feet on the ground that we want a race circuit is going to achieve anything?
I'm not sure the vitriol aimed at Simon Gillett is really called for?
He negotiated the rights to hold the British Grand-Prix, at the time when there was a reasonable amount of uncertainty that we'd even have one and embarked on an ambitious expansion programme to bring the circuit up to a world class standard. In hindsight the financing (and the global climate when they attempted to get it) didn't work out, but how different is this (other than in execution) to Tom Wheatcrofts dream to hold the Grand Prix in 1993?
He negotiated the rights to hold the British Grand-Prix, at the time when there was a reasonable amount of uncertainty that we'd even have one and embarked on an ambitious expansion programme to bring the circuit up to a world class standard. In hindsight the financing (and the global climate when they attempted to get it) didn't work out, but how different is this (other than in execution) to Tom Wheatcrofts dream to hold the Grand Prix in 1993?
I think what James is saying is that there needs to be an appropriate response, directed at the right people.
a show of force is worthwhile but not if it's directed at the wrong people.
thats what i meant last night when i suggested researching the options and planning.
i dont think there's anyone here who doesn't want Donny back running again.
a show of force is worthwhile but not if it's directed at the wrong people.
thats what i meant last night when i suggested researching the options and planning.
i dont think there's anyone here who doesn't want Donny back running again.
duggan said:
I'm not sure the vitriol aimed at Simon Gillett is really called for?
He negotiated the rights to hold the British Grand-Prix, at the time when there was a reasonable amount of uncertainty that we'd even have one and embarked on an ambitious expansion programme to bring the circuit up to a world class standard. In hindsight the financing (and the global climate when they attempted to get it) didn't work out, but how different is this (other than in execution) to Tom Wheatcrofts dream to hold the Grand Prix in 1993?
If you had met Gillett and Wheatcroft, you would understand the difference. With respect, the vitriol is appropriate on this occasion.He negotiated the rights to hold the British Grand-Prix, at the time when there was a reasonable amount of uncertainty that we'd even have one and embarked on an ambitious expansion programme to bring the circuit up to a world class standard. In hindsight the financing (and the global climate when they attempted to get it) didn't work out, but how different is this (other than in execution) to Tom Wheatcrofts dream to hold the Grand Prix in 1993?
As for the gathering, I think the time would be better spent in another direction as per my reply on the other thread here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I'm sorry, but SG is a moron. He's handled this whole story so badly, I can't help but think he and Bernie were "in on it".
He had to raise a FORTUNE for this to ever happen. Why render the track unusable BEFORE you know you can continue? There were 1001 things that could've been started before digging up the track. At least it'd still be capable of making SOME money...
He had to raise a FORTUNE for this to ever happen. Why render the track unusable BEFORE you know you can continue? There were 1001 things that could've been started before digging up the track. At least it'd still be capable of making SOME money...
Leroy Boyce said:
I take it you don't support the cause then?
All I know is, there is a chance Donington might not remain a racing circuit. I want to show everybody with any influence that people want it repaired, and to see cars on it again...
Me??? Ha ha...I have spent most of my summer weekends and a lot of my holiday for the last 12 years running motorsport as a hobby. All I know is, there is a chance Donington might not remain a racing circuit. I want to show everybody with any influence that people want it repaired, and to see cars on it again...
A circuit can only run if it is commercially viable and that isn't going to change based on how many people clog up the lanes around Donington and p
s off the neighbours. If you want to do something start a campaign to get spectators going to race meetings week in, week out - that might help....
Piglet said:
Leroy Boyce said:
I take it you don't support the cause then?
All I know is, there is a chance Donington might not remain a racing circuit. I want to show everybody with any influence that people want it repaired, and to see cars on it again...
Me??? Ha ha...I have spent most of my summer weekends and a lot of my holiday for the last 12 years running motorsport as a hobby. All I know is, there is a chance Donington might not remain a racing circuit. I want to show everybody with any influence that people want it repaired, and to see cars on it again...
A circuit can only run if it is commercially viable and that isn't going to change based on how many people clog up the lanes around Donington and p
s off the neighbours. If you want to do something start a campaign to get spectators going to race meetings week in, week out - that might help....
Also, my favourite venue is Donington Park, so I want like-minded people to turn up on a Spring Sunday and show their mutual support for the track.
As for "The neighbours" (DP is hardly in a built-up area!), I'm sure they are used to congestion after the Moto GP. You're obviously a well-respected poster on here, but I mean no disrespect when I say I find your arguement rather fatuous...
Edited by Leroy Boyce on Wednesday 30th December 12:23
Good for you, I suspect you're in a minority in actually attending low level race meetings.
Money into motorsport is good at whatever venue and whatever level, it all helps competitors and series organisers to raise sponsorship and it helps to raise the profile of motorsport and this in turn helps to encourage more spectators, brings a likelihood of TV coverage and brings an increased interest in track days etc. which all help to support circuit owners and organisers alike.
I fail to see how stamping your feet about wanting the Wheatcrofts to invest millions of pounds in Donington is going to persuade them to do so they and any other likely investor is going to need to be sure that there is going to be a return on their investment.
MotoGP traffic is predominantly bike and will be subject to a traffic management plan. Quite different to a load of cars just turning up without even being sure if the gates are open.
It's nice that you care, but that doesn't mean that others won't agree with what you are doing.
Money into motorsport is good at whatever venue and whatever level, it all helps competitors and series organisers to raise sponsorship and it helps to raise the profile of motorsport and this in turn helps to encourage more spectators, brings a likelihood of TV coverage and brings an increased interest in track days etc. which all help to support circuit owners and organisers alike.
I fail to see how stamping your feet about wanting the Wheatcrofts to invest millions of pounds in Donington is going to persuade them to do so they and any other likely investor is going to need to be sure that there is going to be a return on their investment.
MotoGP traffic is predominantly bike and will be subject to a traffic management plan. Quite different to a load of cars just turning up without even being sure if the gates are open.
It's nice that you care, but that doesn't mean that others won't agree with what you are doing.
Edited by Piglet on Wednesday 30th December 15:33
Not sure he's such a moron -
He managed to negotiate a deal to hold the British Grand-prix at Donnington for 17yrs
Convinced IMG (sports marketing) and Goldman Sachs, who run a joint company called ISG, to run a debenture scheme that would raise 175m GBP over 10yrs (ISG numbers)
Convinced ISG to fund the 100m GBP build costs & then set about doing just that
Subsequently and given the turbulent economic climate this funding fell through in March as Goldman pulled the plug
Decided to push on after having the numbers validated by another debenture specialist (this time at a revised 140m GBP - but excluding corporate hospitality) with construction being personally funded
So I could understand how Donnington Park has got into this sorry state. As mentioned by others on this thread it has to work as a business and given that a rescue package for the circuit could not be hammered out, I can't see it being an attraction anytime soon.
I'm sorry to see the circuit as it is, but I just can't see any form of protest is going to change basic business sense (unless you can find a wealthy benefactor - hmm hold on - isn't that what Tom Wheatcroft did with Donnington from 1971…)
He managed to negotiate a deal to hold the British Grand-prix at Donnington for 17yrs
Convinced IMG (sports marketing) and Goldman Sachs, who run a joint company called ISG, to run a debenture scheme that would raise 175m GBP over 10yrs (ISG numbers)
Convinced ISG to fund the 100m GBP build costs & then set about doing just that
Subsequently and given the turbulent economic climate this funding fell through in March as Goldman pulled the plug
Decided to push on after having the numbers validated by another debenture specialist (this time at a revised 140m GBP - but excluding corporate hospitality) with construction being personally funded
So I could understand how Donnington Park has got into this sorry state. As mentioned by others on this thread it has to work as a business and given that a rescue package for the circuit could not be hammered out, I can't see it being an attraction anytime soon.
I'm sorry to see the circuit as it is, but I just can't see any form of protest is going to change basic business sense (unless you can find a wealthy benefactor - hmm hold on - isn't that what Tom Wheatcroft did with Donnington from 1971…)
I really thought that if Silverstone hadn't of signed up. That Bernie would have bought Donington. Given he tried to buy Silverstone a few years back I suspect he did at least make an offer to Wheatcroft. But clearly Wheatcroft felt Simon Gillet was a better bet??
Also, much as Donny gives great bike races. Im not convicned it's anywhere near wide enough for F1. And the entrance/exit road (singular) and general facilities were not even up to Silverstone standards and afaik haven't been improved in the last 10+ years!
So don't all go thinking Wheatcroft is something he isn't. He made a lot of money and so far as I can see never gave much back to the specatators. Very much like that wker that bought Brands several years back...
Also, much as Donny gives great bike races. Im not convicned it's anywhere near wide enough for F1. And the entrance/exit road (singular) and general facilities were not even up to Silverstone standards and afaik haven't been improved in the last 10+ years!
So don't all go thinking Wheatcroft is something he isn't. He made a lot of money and so far as I can see never gave much back to the specatators. Very much like that w
ker that bought Brands several years back...Piglet said:
I fail to see how stamping your feet about wanting the Wheatcrofts to invest millions of pounds in Donington is going to persuade them to do so they and any other likely investor is going to need to be sure that there is going to be a return on their investment.
Surely, a decent number of supporters turning up would do just that? Assure any other likely investor there is going to be a return on their investment?duggan said:
Not sure he's such a moron...
It's obvious to me that Bernie needed a "lever" to get Silverstone to commit to his demands. He offered a rival circuit - which had absolutely no chance of getting up to spec in 12 months - the GP.Then, when DP couldn't manage it, he offers it back to Silverstone saying "See? I told you I was serious!", then S'stone cough up the exorbitant fee - £310,000,000 over 17 years!
In the mean time DP is left for dead. It's a disgrace...
Gassing Station | Events & Meetings | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff