GP collection's future in doubt

The collapse of Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd has left a question mark over the future of the Donington Park Grand Prix Collection, the unrivalled gathering of racing cars assembled by the late Tom Wheatcroft.

Currently the collection is closed to the public until further notice while administrators work to resolve the future of the entire venue, following the failure of DVLL to secure the funding required to run the British Grand Prix at the Leicestershire track.

“No one knows what the future holds,” said Vicky Dexter, marketing manager at Donington. “We hope the collection will be open again in 2010. It’s a great asset for Donington.”

Although the collection of cars remains in the ownership of the Wheatcroft family, the museum was part of the lease taken by DVLL. “There’s a lot of interest from potential buyers of the circuit lease and we hope that will include the museum,” said Dexter. “But it may go back to Wheatcroft ownership.”