Boost for Donington future

Kevin Wheatcroft says that winning permission to run 60 days of racing at Donington Park over the next two years was vital to securing the long-term future of the East Midlands track.

Since the circuit re-opened for racing in September 2010, after the abortive bid by Simon Gillett to host the British Grand Prix there, circuit owner Wheatcroft has battled against planning rules that allowed just 40 race days in 2011. A number of events were cancelled in the second half of the year as the circuit negotiated with North West Leicestershire District Council.

“We knew that we were going to have a tough time during the first two years of re-opening with the investment required to see racing again at Donington,” said Wheatcroft. “Without this permission, keeping Donington alive was going to be increasingly difficult.”

Wheatcroft confirmed a key appointment in the future development of the circuit when he announced that Christopher Tate will become managing director.

The former Masters Historic Racing boss said: “I’m a Donington fan – I was here on the original opening day in 1977. Now there’s a great deal to do, but most of the pieces of the jigsaw are falling into place.”