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.
