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Motorcycle news : General news
You are looking at: Home : Motorcycle news : General news

Donington Park owner, Tom Wheatcroft dies

The man who bought Donington in the 70s has died following a long battle with illness

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Posted: 2 November 2009
by Ben Cope
Tom Wheatcroft ... pictured on the left
Tom Wheatcroft ... pictured on the left

DONINGTON Park motor racing circuit owner, Tom Wheatcroft, has died following a long illness.

Wheatcroft, who was 87 years old, bought Donington in 1971 for £100,000 and set about restoring the circuit. He bought the European Grand Prix to Donington in 1993 where the late Ayrton Senna put in one of his best-ever races.

Wheatcroft's interest in motorsport started in the 1930s when he went to watching racing at Donington, his local circuit. After building up a successful property business, he bought Donington, a former World War II army base and restored it.

Recently, Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd has struggled with its bid to host the F1 Grand Prix, failing to raise the required funding.


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Discuss this story


srad man sam
RIP mate you gave us some good times.

Posted: 03/11/2009 at 16:37


kwikkwak1971
RIP Tom , it was and i hope always will be a fantastic circuit. I just hope the new management do the place proud for you

Posted: 03/11/2009 at 16:41


John Coates
Thanks for the halcyon days of the late 80's when I watched Schwantz, Gardner, Lawson and Rainey put on some of the most amazing racing I have ever seen in the 500 GPs at Donington. Today's stuff just does not seem as exciting.

Posted: 04/11/2009 at 08:07

Talkback: Donington Park owner, Tom Wheatcroft dies

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