DONINGTON 40 PARK AT

ONCE THE RIGHTFUL HOME OF THE BRITISH MOTORCYCLE GRAND PRIX, THE FAMOUS CIRCUIT IS NOW BACK IN SAFE HANDS AND CELEBRATING ITS 40th ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR

Forty years ago, motorcycle racing resumed at Donington Park thanks to the efforts of the Midlands-based businessman, Tom Wheatcroft. The venue had first hosted motorcycle sport on Whit Monday 1931, on the narrow access road around the Donington Hall Estate. In 1933, the circuit was widened for car Grand Prix racing, but then World War II brought racing to an end with the facility requisitioned by the MOD. In 1971 Tom Wheatcroft purchased the venue. A passionate motorsport enthusiast, he had amassed a huge collection of Formula One cars which he housed in the Donington Grand Prix Exhibition at the venue. He also set about building a modern racing circuit, which held its opening event in May 1977 with a National motorcycle race meeting. Ten years later Eddie Lawson won the 500cc race on a Yamaha in the first-ever British Motorcycle Grand Prix to be hosted at Donington.

The circuit became the home for British racing enthusiasts, not just for the GP but also for World Superbike and British Superbike races. In 2007 the Wheatcroft Family sold a 150-year lease to Donington Ventures Leisure Limited, headed by CEO Simon Gillett, which won rights to host the British F1 car GP for 17 years from July 2010. Despite commencing groundworks to upgrade the circuit, the new company failed to raise the £135 million needed to stage a British Grand Prix and went into administration. The bike GP was relocated back to Silverstone after 22 races at Donington.

Kevin Wheatcroft rescued the circuit and after a huge amount of remedial work, racing returned in August 2010.

In January this year, Motor Sport Vision, the company that owns the Brands Hatch, Snetterton, Oulton Park and Cadwell Park circuits, agreed terms to take over the Donington Park business and lease the Donington Park Estate for an initial 21-year term.