Wheatcroft: genuine enthusiast

I would like to add my congratulations to Tom Wheatcroft for having been presented with the Meguiar UK Enthusiast of the Year award in late September.

Tom’s genuine interest in proper racing cars dates back: I recall going with Jenks to see what was even then a wonderful collection, housed in various scattered places around Derby before he had built the wonderful Donington collection of single-seater racing cars, which was opened in 1973.

Not only that, but Tom restored and continually improved the famous Donington circuit and fought hard to get full-scale GP racing there.

Now 82, he has not only saved so many very important racing cars but has driven them round his circuit, which is the venue for races of top calibre, for both cars and motorcycles.

Jenks once caught Tom in one of the GP cars, which was stationary in the museum with Tom clearly in action. Asked discreetly what he was doing Tom admitted he was, in imagination, winning an important grand prix.

He’s that kind of 100 per cent dedicated person, and generous to those who also properly understand motor racing.