Owner reveals why Grand Prix racing car collection is facing final lap
THE owner and curator of one of motor sport’s most famous collections of Grand Prix cars and memorabilia has explained why it is closing.
Donington Park’s unique collection of old and new speed machines has offered a fascinating insight into the excitement, engineering and history of Formula 1 racing for the past 45 years.
But the attraction at the racing venue will close its doors for the last time on Monday, November 5.
The collection, featuring vintage and modern Mercedes-Benz, McLaren, Williams, BRM and Lotus models, as well as classic motorcycles, was assembled by the late Leicestershire builder and motor sport enthusiast Tom Wheatcroft.
His son, Kevin, who inherited the collection from his father on his death in October 2009, announced the museum’s “imminent” closure last Wednesday, but would not give a specific reason – until now.
In a statement, he said the museum did not fit into the business plan of Donington Park operator Motor Sport Vision (MSV).
He said: “As the wider motor racing public will know, Motor Sport Vision (MSV) took over operation of Donington Park last year while I retained the freehold.
We have kept the museum open for one more season and there was a possibility that it might have stayed open under the control of MSV.
“They have considered this option, but it does not fit their business plan – and the decision was then made to close the museum.”
Of the museum’s invaluable collection, Mr Wheatcroft said: “Its exhibits will go into storage until my family and I have considered their future. This applies not only to the Formula 1 cars which have occupied this building for over 45 years, but also ‘The Wheatcroft Collection,’ a unique array of Second World War armour and military vehicles, which has been a stablemate to the Grand Prix Collection for 10 years.”
He added: “I have been associated with these historic machines all my adult life, having helped my late father to locate many of them, and it has been a privilege to help create and operate both one of Leicestershire’s greatest attractions, and a piece of world motor sport history.”
MSV, which operates five UK race circuits, including former Donington Park and Brands Hatch, has been contacted for a comment.
After six years of Army service, Tom Wheatcroft launched his building business in 1946. He bought his first racing car, a 13-year-old Formula 1 Ferrari singleseater, in 1964. He later recalled the purchase was “just for fun – and caught the collecting bug”.
Over the following six years he acquired more historic machines, observing: “There’s nought so cheap as last year’s racing car.”
Initially the cars were housed in a cramped garage building at his Leicester home. But in September 1971, he bought the space for the museum at Donington Park, opening the collection in March 1973.